Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$116,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$103,571 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$91,250 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $163,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $125,510▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $208,640▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $260,800▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 6.85% | -2.1999999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571▲ | $87,166 | +$16,405 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,200 | $140,295▲ | -$38,095 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,250▲ | $75,024 | +$16,226 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $47,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $87,166 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.