Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$116,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$103,571 vs $101,852
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$91,250 vs $94,111
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $165,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $127,050▲ | -$37,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $211,200▲ | -$62,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $264,000▲ | -$78,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571▲ | $101,852 | +$1,719 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,200 | $152,460▲ | -$50,260 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,250 | $94,111▲ | -$2,861 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 46,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $49,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $101,852 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.