SSalario

Computer Vision Engineer Salary in Los Angeles, CA — 2026

Computer Vision Engineer salary data for Los Angeles, CA — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $232,400 per year ($19,367/month, $112/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 166, which is 66% above the national average.

Entry Level
$158K
$76/hr
Median
$232K
$112/hr
Senior
$324K
$156/hr
Top Earner
$398K
$192/hr

Computer Vision Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$232,400
Federal Tax-$45,672
State Tax (9.3%)-$21,613
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$14,809
Annual Take-Home$150,306
Monthly Take-Home$12,526

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$2,650/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio13.7%
Median Home Price$830,000
Cost of Living Index166
City Median Salary$75,200
Computer Vision Engineer vs City Median+$157,200

Computer Vision Engineer Requirements

Education
Master's/Doctorate
Experience
2-5 years
Job Growth
30.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

OpenCVPyTorchTensorFlowImage ProcessingDeep Learning

Los Angeles Job Market Overview

Los Angeles, California has a population of 3,898,747 and an unemployment rate of 4.8%. The top industries are Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare. The local job growth rate is 1.8%, and the average commute time is 31 minutes.

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Computer Vision Engineer in Los Angeles

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Computer Vision Engineer in Los Angeles, CA, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$157,700$76/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$195,050$94/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$232,400$112/hrMid-career, 2-5 years
75th$323,700$156/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$398,400$192/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Computer Vision Engineer compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Los Angeles's Entertainment sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Computer Vision Engineer salaries in Los Angeles have grown approximately 18.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$196,949
Adjusted for Los Angeles COL
Today (2026)
$232,400
+18.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$274,232
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Computer Vision Engineer can expect a 12.7% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in Los Angeles. Negotiation, certifications (Deep Learning Specialization), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Los Angeles vs National Average

The national median Computer Vision Engineer salary is $140,000. In Los Angeles, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $232,400 is 66.0% above the national figure. This reflects Los Angeles's cost of living index of 166 (higher than the national average of 100).

For Computer Vision Engineers, this means: rent typically consumes 21.2% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Los Angeles costs about 5.5× annual take-home. Homeownership in Los Angeles on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.

Industry Context: Entertainment in Los Angeles

Los Angeles's economy is anchored by Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare, with 3,898,747 residents and 4.8% unemployment as of 2026. Computer Vision Engineers working in the Entertainment sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.8%, and Computer Vision Engineer occupations specifically are projected to grow 30.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Computer Vision Engineer salaries in Los Angeles, CA:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Los Angeles index of 166 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), CA state income tax of 9.3%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Computer Vision Engineer salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Entertainment vs others in Los Angeles), specific skill set (OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $232,400 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 166. Entry-level Computer Vision Engineers earn around $157,700, while senior-level professionals can earn $323,700 or more.
How much does a Computer Vision Engineer take home in Los Angeles after taxes?
A Computer Vision Engineer earning the median salary of $232,400 in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $150,306 per year ($12,526/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 35.3%.
Is Los Angeles a good city for Computer Vision Engineers?
Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 166 (above national average). Computer Vision Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.8% and top industries include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare.
What skills are needed for a Computer Vision Engineer in Los Angeles?
Key skills for Computer Vision Engineers include OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Image Processing, Deep Learning. Typical education requirement is Master's/Doctorate. Valuable certifications include Deep Learning Specialization.
How does Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles compare to the national average?
The national median Computer Vision Engineer salary is $140,000. In Los Angeles, the adjusted salary is $232,400, which is 66.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay

Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.

Calculate Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $232,400 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 166. Entry-level Computer Vision Engineers earn around $157,700, while senior-level professionals can earn $323,700 or more.

How much does a Computer Vision Engineer take home in Los Angeles after taxes?

A Computer Vision Engineer earning the median salary of $232,400 in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $150,306 per year ($12,526/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 35.3%.

Is Los Angeles a good city for Computer Vision Engineers?

Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 166 (above national average). Computer Vision Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.8% and top industries include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare.

What skills are needed for a Computer Vision Engineer in Los Angeles?

Key skills for Computer Vision Engineers include OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Image Processing, Deep Learning. Typical education requirement is Master's/Doctorate. Valuable certifications include Deep Learning Specialization.

How does Computer Vision Engineer salary in Los Angeles compare to the national average?

The national median Computer Vision Engineer salary is $140,000. In Los Angeles, the adjusted salary is $232,400, which is 66.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.