Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$163,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$87,166 vs $101,852
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$75,024 vs $94,111
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $163,000 | $165,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,510 | $127,050▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $208,640 | $211,200▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,800 | $264,000▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,166 | $101,852▲ | -$14,686 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $140,295 | $152,460▲ | -$12,165 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,024 | $94,111▲ | -$19,087 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 46,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $2,000 more (median: $163,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($87,166 vs $101,852 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.