Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$146,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$84,393 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$70,727 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $146,000 | $170,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,420 | $130,900▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,880 | $217,600▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $233,600 | $272,000▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,393 | $91,398▲ | -$7,005 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $122,358 | $142,472▲ | -$20,114 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,727 | $76,598▲ | -$5,871 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 41,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $146,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($84,393 vs $91,398 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.