Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$147,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$96,711 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$83,552 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $147,000 | $150,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,190 | $115,500▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,160 | $192,000▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,200 | $240,000▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,711▲ | $92,593 | +$4,118 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $126,999 | $131,670▲ | -$4,671 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,552▲ | $81,278 | +$2,274 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $147,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($96,711 vs $92,593 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.