Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Seattle, WA
$175,827
/ year
+33%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$132,232
/ 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
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,827✓ higher
$132,232
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$113,706✓ higher
$85,514
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,885✓ higher
$204,473
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,384✓ higher
$90,522
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,822✓ higher
$122,437
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,706✓ higher
$85,514
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,885✓ higher
$204,473

What if you move from Seattle to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$43,595
33% decrease
Take-home change
$26,862
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,385
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
Philadelphia, PA$132,232
P10: $85,514Median: $132,232P90: $204,473

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $175,827/yr compared to $132,232/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Seattle pays 33% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Seattle or Philadelphia 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 $122,437/yr for Philadelphia. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,384/yr, vs $90,522/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.