Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Amsterdam vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Amsterdam
$108,870
/ year
-18%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$133,484
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Amsterdam
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$108,870
$133,484โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$72,234
$86,323โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$164,087
$206,409โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$74,032
$91,277โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$83,746
$96,728โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.30ร—โœ“ lower
1.38ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$66,455
$86,323โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$150,960
$206,409โœ“ higher

What if you move from Amsterdam to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$24,614
18% increase
Take-home change
+$17,245
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,982
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Amsterdam$108,870
P10: $66,455Median: $108,870P90: $150,960
Los Angeles, CA$133,484
P10: $86,323Median: $133,484P90: $206,409

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Amsterdam or Los Angeles?

The median Data Scientist salary in Amsterdam is โ‚ฌ100,160/yr compared to $133,484/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 18% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Amsterdam or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Amsterdam salary has the purchasing power of $83,746/yr in a median-cost city, vs $96,728/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Amsterdam vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Amsterdam takes home approximately $74,032/yr, vs $91,277/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.