Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$109,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$119,780 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$106,260 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $170,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $130,900▲ | -$46,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $217,600▲ | -$78,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $272,000▲ | -$97,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,780▲ | $91,398 | +$28,382 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,697 | $142,472▲ | -$45,775 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $76,598 | +$29,662 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 41,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $61,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($119,780 vs $91,398 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.