Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$107,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$118,889 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$106,481 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $163,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $125,510▲ | -$43,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $208,640▲ | -$71,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $260,800▲ | -$89,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 6.85% | -3.78% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,889▲ | $87,166 | +$31,723 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $95,833 | $140,295▲ | -$44,462 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,481▲ | $75,024 | +$31,457 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 54,400 | -43,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $56,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($118,889 vs $87,166 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 6.85%).
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.