Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$147,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$96,711 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$83,552 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $147,000 | $163,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,190 | $125,510▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,160 | $208,640▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,200 | $260,800▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,711▲ | $87,166 | +$9,545 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $126,999 | $140,295▲ | -$13,296 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,552▲ | $75,024 | +$8,528 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 54,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $16,000 more (median: $147,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($96,711 vs $87,166 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.