Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Washington DC, DC

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

San Francisco, CA
$179,978
/ year
+5%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$171,168
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$179,978✓ higher
$171,168
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$116,391✓ higher
$110,694
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$278,304✓ higher
$264,681
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$120,207✓ higher
$114,216
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,130
$120,541✓ 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
$110,694
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$278,304✓ higher
$264,681

What if you move from San Francisco to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
$8,810
5% decrease
Take-home change
$5,991
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$13,411
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
Washington DC, DC$171,168
P10: $110,694Median: $171,168P90: $264,681

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs ChicagoSan Francisco vs HoustonSan Francisco vs PhoenixSan Francisco vs PhiladelphiaAll Data Scientist salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $179,978/yr compared to $171,168/yr in Washington DC, DC. San Francisco pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in San Francisco or Washington DC 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 $120,541/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $120,207/yr, vs $114,216/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.