New York applies one of the highest state income tax rates in the country, which the calculator reflects when computing after-tax salary. Meta maintains a significant engineering presence in New York City, and the large metro adjustment pushes gross hourly rates toward the upper end of the range. However, the combination of state and city income taxes means take-home pay may be lower than in states without income tax, despite higher gross figures. Engineers in New York should use the calculator's married vs single filing toggle to see how household status affects their net outcome.
California is Meta's headquarters state, with Menlo Park serving as the primary engineering hub. The calculator applies the large metro adjustment for Bay Area roles and California's notably high state income tax rate. Gross hourly rates for California-based Meta engineers are among the highest nationally — often $105–$145 — but the after-tax calculator reveals that California's progressive tax structure consumes a larger share than most other states. Engineers comparing California to Texas or Washington will see a stark difference in the after-tax output.
Florida has no state income tax, which the calculator handles by zeroing out the state tax line in the after-tax computation. Meta has been expanding remote hiring eligibility for Florida-based engineers. While gross pay may be benchmarked slightly lower than Bay Area rates if the role is classified as a mid-sized or large metro (depending on the specific Florida city), the absence of state tax often results in higher take-home pay than comparable gross salaries in California or New York.
Texas also has no state income tax, making it one of the most favorable states for after-tax salary as calculated by this tool. Meta has an engineering office in Austin, and Houston and Dallas both serve as secondary tech hubs. The calculator's metro size selector matters here — Austin qualifies as a large metro, while some Texas cities fall into the mid-sized category. Engineers in Texas consistently see strong after-tax figures relative to their gross pay.
Michigan's moderate state income tax and lower cost of living make it a market where after-tax salary stretches further in purchasing power. Meta does not have a major office in Michigan, so engineers here are typically remote. The calculator would use a mid-sized metro adjustment for cities like Detroit or Ann Arbor, producing lower gross hourly rates but competitive after-tax outcomes relative to high-tax coastal states.
Georgia's state income tax is moderate, and Atlanta serves as a growing tech hub in the Southeast. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment for Atlanta-based roles, pushing gross hourly rates higher than smaller Georgia cities. Meta's presence in Atlanta is growing, and the combination of competitive gross pay with manageable state taxes produces favorable after-tax results in the calculator.
Ohio has a graduated state income tax and mid-sized metro areas like Columbus and Cleveland. The calculator's mid-sized metro adjustment applies to most Ohio cities, producing hourly rates slightly below the national median. However, Ohio's lower cost of living means the after-tax salary goes further. Meta engineers in Ohio are almost exclusively remote, so the role's geographic benchmark determines the gross figure.
North Carolina has a flat state income tax rate that is relatively modest. The Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle area qualifies as a large metro in the calculator, and the region has a strong tech talent base. Meta does not have a dedicated North Carolina office, but remote roles benchmarked to the area produce solid after-tax results due to the favorable tax environment and reasonable cost of living.
Illinois has a flat state income tax rate. Chicago, the state's primary metro, qualifies as a large metro in the calculator, and Meta maintains an office presence there. The large metro adjustment boosts gross hourly rates, but Illinois' state tax — combined with Chicago's municipal considerations — reduces after-tax income somewhat compared to no-tax states. The calculator captures this when Illinois is selected as the state.
Maryland has a progressive state income tax plus county-level income taxes that the calculator approximates in its after-tax computation. Proximity to Washington, DC gives Maryland-based Meta engineers access to a large metro job market with strong tech demand. Gross hourly rates are competitive, but the combined state and county tax burden reduces take-home pay more than in neighboring Virginia.
Indiana has a flat and relatively low state income tax. The calculator classifies Indianapolis as a mid-sized metro, producing lower gross hourly rates than coastal tech hubs. However, the low tax burden combined with Indiana's affordable cost of living means after-tax salary delivers strong purchasing power. Meta engineers in Indiana work remotely and may find the calculator's after-tax view highlights Indiana as a favorable location for net income.
Virginia's state income tax is moderate, and the Northern Virginia region (Arlington, Tysons Corner) benefits from proximity to the Washington, DC metro. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment for Northern Virginia roles. Meta and its FAANG peers maintain significant Northern Virginia presence for data center and engineering operations. After-tax salary is competitive, sitting between the high-tax Northeast states and the no-tax Southern states.
Connecticut has a progressive state income tax that reaches relatively high marginal rates for top earners — a category that includes most Meta software engineers. The calculator reflects this by reducing after-tax income more aggressively for Connecticut residents. The state's proximity to New York City means some engineers commute or work remotely from Connecticut, and the mid-sized to large metro adjustment depends on the specific city. Stamford qualifies differently than smaller Connecticut towns in the calculator.
New Jersey has one of the highest state income tax burdens in the country, particularly at income levels typical of Meta software engineers. The calculator applies this when New Jersey is selected, noticeably reducing after-tax income compared to no-tax or low-tax states. Engineers in northern New Jersey benefit from the New York City large metro job market adjustment for gross pay, but the tax bite is significant. The calculator is especially useful here for comparing New Jersey take-home pay against relocating to a lower-tax state.
Chicago is a large metro with a growing tech sector and a Meta office presence. The calculator applies the highest geographic adjustment factor, producing hourly rates in the $90–$126 range. Illinois' flat state income tax is moderate, so after-tax salary is competitive though not as high as in no-tax states. Chicago's cost of living is lower than San Francisco or New York, giving engineers more purchasing power per dollar of take-home pay.
Los Angeles qualifies as a large metro, and Meta has office space in the greater LA area. The calculator produces hourly rates of approximately $100–$140. California's high state income tax applies, reducing after-tax income meaningfully. Engineers in LA should compare the calculator's after-tax output against other California cities and out-of-state options to understand the true cost of the state tax burden.
NYC hosts one of Meta's largest engineering offices outside of Menlo Park. The calculator applies the large metro adjustment, producing hourly rates of $102–$142. However, NYC residents face both New York State and New York City income taxes, which the calculator captures in its after-tax estimates. This double tax layer makes NYC one of the locations where gross-to-net conversion is most dramatic. The calculator is critical here for understanding actual take-home pay.
Houston is a large metro with no state income tax (Texas). The calculator produces hourly rates that may be slightly below Bay Area levels if the role's pay band is benchmarked to Houston, but the zero state tax means after-tax income is highly competitive. Meta does not have a dedicated Houston office, so engineers here are typically remote and should verify whether their role is benchmarked to Houston or to a different metro for pay purposes.
Phoenix is a large metro in Arizona, which has a flat state income tax at a relatively low rate. The calculator applies the large metro adjustment, producing hourly rates somewhat below coastal tech hubs but with strong after-tax results. Meta does not maintain a major Phoenix engineering office, so remote roles are the primary pathway. The calculator's after-tax view highlights Phoenix as favorable for net income relative to California or New York.
Atlanta is a large metro and a rapidly growing tech hub. Meta has been expanding its Southeastern engineering presence, and the calculator's large metro adjustment applies. Hourly rates fall in the $90–$128 range, with Georgia's moderate state income tax producing after-tax results that compare favorably to the Northeast. Atlanta's cost of living is meaningfully lower than San Francisco or New York, amplifying the value of each take-home dollar.
San Diego qualifies as a large metro in the calculator, and its tech sector includes defense, biotech, and a growing software engineering presence. California state income tax applies, so after-tax results mirror the pattern seen in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Gross hourly rates for Meta engineers in San Diego run approximately $98–$136, with after-tax income reduced by California's progressive tax structure.
Washington, DC is a large metro with its own income tax structure separate from Maryland and Virginia. The calculator accounts for DC's tax rates when selected. Meta engineers in the DC area — whether living in DC proper, Northern Virginia, or Maryland — benefit from a large metro gross pay adjustment, with hourly rates around $96–$134. The after-tax outcome depends heavily on which jurisdiction the engineer resides in, making the calculator's state selector essential for accurate comparisons.
Boston is a large metro with a dense concentration of top-tier engineering talent from MIT, Harvard, and other research institutions. Meta has an engineering office in the Boston area. The calculator applies the large metro adjustment, producing hourly rates of $98–$138. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax that is moderate relative to California or New York, so after-tax salary is competitive. Boston's strong tech employer base also means Meta must pay at the upper end to attract talent away from competitors like Google, Amazon, and local startups.
Dallas is a large metro in Texas, benefiting from no state income tax. The calculator produces hourly rates similar to other large Texas metros — approximately $90–$126 — with the zero state tax making after-tax income very competitive. Meta does not have a primary office in Dallas, but remote roles benchmarked to the Dallas metro produce strong take-home pay. The calculator is useful for engineers comparing Dallas against Austin, where Meta does have a physical office and potentially higher pay bands.
Seattle is a large metro and one of the most competitive software engineering markets in the country. Washington State has no state income tax, and Meta maintains engineering operations in the Seattle area. The calculator produces hourly rates of $100–$140, and the absence of state income tax means after-tax salary is among the highest nationally. The calculator's after-tax view makes Seattle one of the strongest markets for Meta software engineer net income, rivaled only by Austin and other no-tax-state metros with large metro pay adjustments.
