Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Seattle, WA
$176,322
/ year
+45%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$121,660
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$176,322✓ higher
$121,660
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,027✓ higher
$78,677
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$272,651✓ higher
$188,126
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,721✓ higher
$84,141
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,170✓ higher
$115,867
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,027✓ higher
$78,677
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$272,651✓ higher
$188,126

What if you move from Seattle to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$54,662
45% decrease
Take-home change
$33,580
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$8,303
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

Seattle, WA$176,322
P10: $114,027Median: $176,322P90: $272,651
Atlanta, GA$121,660
P10: $78,677Median: $121,660P90: $188,126

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Seattle or Atlanta?

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $176,322/yr compared to $121,660/yr in Atlanta, GA. Seattle pays 45% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $124,170/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,867/yr for Atlanta. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,721/yr, vs $84,141/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.