Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$176,322
/ year
+31%
difference
Chicago, IL
$134,813
/ 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
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$176,322✓ higher
$134,813
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,027✓ higher
$87,183
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$272,651✓ higher
$208,464
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,721✓ higher
$92,079
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,170✓ higher
$117,229
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,027✓ higher
$87,183
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$272,651✓ higher
$208,464

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$41,509
31% decrease
Take-home change
$25,642
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$6,941
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
Chicago, IL$134,813
P10: $87,183Median: $134,813P90: $208,464

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $176,322/yr compared to $134,813/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 31% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Seattle or Chicago 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 $117,229/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,721/yr, vs $92,079/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.