Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$107,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$118,889 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$106,481 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $170,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $130,900▲ | -$48,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $217,600▲ | -$80,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $272,000▲ | -$100,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 9.3% | -6.23% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,889▲ | $91,398 | +$27,491 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $95,833 | $142,472▲ | -$46,639 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,481▲ | $76,598 | +$29,883 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 41,600 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $63,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($118,889 vs $91,398 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.