Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$107,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$118,889 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$106,481 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $150,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $115,500▲ | -$33,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $192,000▲ | -$55,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $240,000▲ | -$68,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,889▲ | $92,593 | +$26,296 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $95,833 | $131,670▲ | -$35,837 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,481▲ | $81,278 | +$25,203 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $43,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($118,889 vs $92,593 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
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.