Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$131,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$102,344 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$90,405 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000 | $170,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870 | $130,900▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680 | $217,600▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600 | $272,000▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 186 | -58 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 9.3% | -4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $102,344▲ | $91,398 | +$10,946 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,718 | $142,472▲ | -$26,754 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $90,405▲ | $76,598 | +$13,807 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 41,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 186), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($102,344 vs $91,398 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.