Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Atlanta, GA
$127,234
/ year
-4%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$132,232
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$127,234
$132,232✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$82,282
$85,514✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$196,745
$204,473✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$87,505
$90,522✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,175
$122,437✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.08×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$82,282
$85,514✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$196,745
$204,473✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
+$4,998
4% increase
Take-home change
+$3,017
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,262
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

Atlanta, GA$127,234
P10: $82,282Median: $127,234P90: $196,745
Philadelphia, PA$132,232
P10: $85,514Median: $132,232P90: $204,473

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Atlanta or Philadelphia?

The median Data Scientist salary in Atlanta, GA is $127,234/yr compared to $132,232/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Atlanta or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $121,175/yr in a median-cost city, vs $122,437/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Atlanta vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $87,505/yr, vs $90,522/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.