Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA

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

Seattle, WA
$176,322
/ year
+11%
difference
Boston, MA
$158,941
/ 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
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$176,322✓ higher
$158,941
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,027✓ higher
$102,786
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$272,651✓ higher
$245,774
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,721✓ higher
$106,640
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,170✓ higher
$113,529
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,027✓ higher
$102,786
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$272,651✓ higher
$245,774

What if you move from Seattle to Boston?

Gross salary change
$17,381
11% decrease
Take-home change
$11,081
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$10,641
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
Boston, MA$158,941
P10: $102,786Median: $158,941P90: $245,774

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $176,322/yr compared to $158,941/yr in Boston, MA. Seattle pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Seattle or Boston 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 $113,529/yr for Boston. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,721/yr, vs $106,640/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.