Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Denver, CO vs Melbourne

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

Denver, CO
$140,804
/ year
+40%
difference
Melbourne
$100,346
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$140,804✓ higher
$100,346
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$91,057✓ higher
$66,579
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$217,728✓ higher
$151,239
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$95,695✓ higher
$68,235
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,512✓ higher
$80,277
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.25×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,057
$101,200✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,728
$229,883✓ higher

What if you move from Denver to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$40,458
40% decrease
Take-home change
$27,460
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$43,235
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

Denver, CO$140,804
P10: $91,057Median: $140,804P90: $217,728
Melbourne$100,346
P10: $101,200Median: $100,346P90: $229,883

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Denver or Melbourne?

The median Data Scientist salary in Denver, CO is $140,804/yr compared to A$152,526/yr in Melbourne. Denver pays 40% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Denver or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $123,512/yr in a median-cost city, vs $80,277/yr for Melbourne. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Denver vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Denver, CO takes home approximately $95,695/yr, vs $68,235/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.