Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$100,000 vs $101,852
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,400 vs $94,111
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $165,000▲ | -$80,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $127,050▲ | -$61,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $211,200▲ | -$102,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $264,000▲ | -$128,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $101,852▲ | -$1,852 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $152,460▲ | -$73,920 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400 | $94,111▲ | -$1,711 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 46,400 | -41,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $80,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $101,852 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.