Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Miami, FL vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Miami, FL
$145,970
/ year
+25%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$116,691
/ year
Bottom line: Miami wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Miami
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$145,970โœ“ higher
$116,691
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$94,398โœ“ higher
$75,464
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$225,717โœ“ higher
$180,442
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,812โœ“ higher
$81,143
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,642โœ“ higher
$120,300
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.20ร—
0.97ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$94,398โœ“ higher
$75,464
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$225,717โœ“ higher
$180,442

What if you move from Miami to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$29,279
25% decrease
Take-home change
$17,669
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,342
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
Phoenix, AZ$116,691
P10: $75,464Median: $116,691P90: $180,442

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Miami, FL is $145,970/yr compared to $116,691/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Miami pays 25% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Miami or Phoenix 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 $120,300/yr for Phoenix. Miami offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Miami, FL takes home approximately $98,812/yr, vs $81,143/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.