Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$114,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$103,636 vs $101,852
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$95,760 vs $94,111
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $165,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $127,050▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $211,200▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $264,000▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,636▲ | $101,852 | +$1,784 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,336 | $152,460▲ | -$47,124 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,760▲ | $94,111 | +$1,649 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 46,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $51,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($103,636 vs $101,852 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.