Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Philadelphia, PA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Seattle, WA
$200,267
/ year
+29%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$155,581
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Seattle paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$200,267✓ higher
$155,581
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$129,512✓ higher
$100,614
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$309,678✓ higher
$240,579
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$134,003✓ higher
$104,613
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,033
$144,056✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$129,512✓ higher
$100,614
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$309,678✓ higher
$240,579

What if you move from Seattle to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$44,686
29% decrease
Take-home change
$29,390
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,023
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Seattle, WA$200,267
P10: $129,512Median: $200,267P90: $309,678
Philadelphia, PA$155,581
P10: $100,614Median: $155,581P90: $240,579

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs HoustonSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs San AntonioAll Data Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Seattle or Philadelphia?

The median Data Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $200,267/yr compared to $155,581/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Seattle pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Seattle or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $141,033/yr in a median-cost city, vs $144,056/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Seattle vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $134,003/yr, vs $104,613/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.