Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$116,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$103,571 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$91,250 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $150,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $115,500▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $192,000▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $240,000▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571▲ | $92,593 | +$10,978 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,200 | $131,670▲ | -$29,470 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,250▲ | $81,278 | +$9,972 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $34,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $92,593 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.