Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$116,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$103,571 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$91,250 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $136,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $104,720▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $174,080▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $217,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571 | $109,677▲ | -$6,106 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,200 | $125,664▲ | -$23,464 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,250 | $101,342▲ | -$10,092 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $109,677 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.