Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$78,704 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$68,730 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $119,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $91,630▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $152,320▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $190,400▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,704▲ | $63,978 | +$14,726 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,228 | $99,730▲ | -$25,502 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,730▲ | $53,618 | +$15,112 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 78,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $34,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($78,704 vs $63,978 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
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.