Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Dubai vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Dubai
$79,339
/ year
-53%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$168,072
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Dubai
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$79,339
$168,072✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$51,308
$108,691✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$122,684
$259,894✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$57,917
$112,151✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$66,116
$121,791✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.20×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$188,300✓ higher
$108,691
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$450,250✓ higher
$259,894

What if you move from Dubai to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$88,733
53% increase
Take-home change
+$54,234
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$55,675
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

Dubai$79,339
P10: $188,300Median: $79,339P90: $450,250
Los Angeles, CA$168,072
P10: $108,691Median: $168,072P90: $259,894

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Dubai or Los Angeles?

The median Data Scientist salary in Dubai is AED 291,174/yr compared to $168,072/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 53% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Dubai or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Dubai salary has the purchasing power of $66,116/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,791/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Dubai vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Dubai takes home approximately $57,917/yr, vs $112,151/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.