Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$119,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$63,978 vs $71,875
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$53,618 vs $63,491
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000▲ | $92,000 | +$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630▲ | $70,840 | +$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320▲ | $117,760 | +$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400▲ | $147,200 | +$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,978 | $71,875▲ | -$7,897 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,730▲ | $81,268 | +$18,462 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,618 | $63,491▲ | -$9,873 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 42,000 | +36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($63,978 vs $71,875 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.