Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA

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

San Francisco, CA
$179,978
/ year
+2%
difference
Seattle, WA
$176,322
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Seattle
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$179,978✓ higher
$176,322
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$116,391✓ higher
$114,027
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$278,304✓ higher
$272,651
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$120,207✓ higher
$117,721
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,130
$124,170✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.42×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$116,391✓ higher
$114,027
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$278,304✓ higher
$272,651

What if you move from San Francisco to Seattle?

Gross salary change
$3,656
2% decrease
Take-home change
$2,486
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$17,040
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

San Francisco, CA$179,978
P10: $116,391Median: $179,978P90: $278,304
Seattle, WA$176,322
P10: $114,027Median: $176,322P90: $272,651

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in San Francisco or Seattle?

The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $179,978/yr compared to $176,322/yr in Seattle, WA. San Francisco pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in San Francisco or Seattle after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $107,130/yr in a median-cost city, vs $124,170/yr for Seattle. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Francisco vs Seattle?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $120,207/yr, vs $117,721/yr in Seattle, WA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.