Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs New York, NY

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

Seattle, WA
$175,827
/ year
+1%
difference
New York, NY
$173,630
/ 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
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,827✓ higher
$173,630
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$113,706✓ higher
$112,286
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,885✓ higher
$268,488
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,384✓ higher
$115,890
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,822✓ higher
$119,745
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,706✓ higher
$112,286
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,885✓ higher
$268,488

What if you move from Seattle to New York?

Gross salary change
$2,197
1% decrease
Take-home change
$1,494
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,077
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$175,827
P10: $113,706Median: $175,827P90: $271,885
New York, NY$173,630
P10: $112,286Median: $173,630P90: $268,488

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

Seattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs HoustonSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs PhiladelphiaSeattle vs San AntonioAll Data Scientist salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Seattle or New York?

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $175,827/yr compared to $173,630/yr in New York, NY. Seattle pays 1% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $123,822/yr in a median-cost city, vs $119,745/yr for New York. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,384/yr, vs $115,890/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.