Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Miami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Miami, FL
$145,970
/ year
+10%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$132,232
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Miami paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Miami
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$145,970โœ“ higher
$132,232
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$94,398โœ“ higher
$85,514
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$225,717โœ“ higher
$204,473
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,812โœ“ higher
$90,522
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,642
$122,437โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.20ร—
1.08ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$94,398โœ“ higher
$85,514
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$225,717โœ“ higher
$204,473

What if you move from Miami to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$13,738
10% decrease
Take-home change
$8,290
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$795
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

Miami, FL$145,970
P10: $94,398Median: $145,970P90: $225,717
Philadelphia, PA$132,232
P10: $85,514Median: $132,232P90: $204,473

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Miami or Philadelphia?

The median Data Scientist salary in Miami, FL is $145,970/yr compared to $132,232/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Miami pays 10% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Miami or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Miami salary has the purchasing power of $121,642/yr in a median-cost city, vs $122,437/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Miami vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Miami, FL takes home approximately $98,812/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.