Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Seattle, WA
$176,322
/ year
+32%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$133,484
/ 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
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$176,322✓ higher
$133,484
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,027✓ higher
$86,323
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$272,651✓ higher
$206,409
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,721✓ higher
$91,277
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,170✓ higher
$96,728
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,027✓ higher
$86,323
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$272,651✓ higher
$206,409

What if you move from Seattle to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$42,838
32% decrease
Take-home change
$26,444
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$27,442
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
Los Angeles, CA$133,484
P10: $86,323Median: $133,484P90: $206,409

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Seattle or Los Angeles?

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $176,322/yr compared to $133,484/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Seattle pays 32% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Seattle or Los Angeles 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 $96,728/yr for Los Angeles. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,721/yr, vs $91,277/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.