Are Silicon Valley software engineers really as rich as they seem? Check out this ranking.
This article analyzes the compensation of software engineers in the Bay Area, comparing it to other US cities after adjusting for the high cost of living. It finds that Bay Area engineers still earn significantly more, even after adjustments, with Seattle also performing well.
Why it matters
This data provides insight into the true financial advantage of working in major tech hubs, helping individuals make career and relocation decisions and informing discussions about regional economic disparities and the tech industry's impact on local economies.
Homes in San Francisco. halbergman/Getty Images A version of this story originally appeared in the AI Insider newsletter. Sign up for Business Insider's weekly AI Insider newsletter here . Software engineers in the Bay Area still earn far more than their peers almost anywhere else in the US, even after accounting for the region's eye-watering cost of living. Recent data from Levels.fyi found total compensation is 77% above an employment-weighted national median. Adjusting for local prices narrows the gap, but Bay Area engineers still come out 53% ahead.
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