Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$73,214 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$64,504 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $119,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,140 | $91,630▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,960 | $152,320▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $131,200 | $190,400▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,214▲ | $63,978 | +$9,236 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,245 | $99,730▲ | -$27,485 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,504▲ | $53,618 | +$10,886 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 78,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $37,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($73,214 vs $63,978 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.