Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Singapore vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Singapore
$76,508
/ year
-43%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$133,484
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Singapore
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$76,508
$133,484โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$50,762
$86,323โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$115,311
$206,409โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$55,851
$91,277โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$54,649
$96,728โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
1.38ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$68,021
$86,323โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$154,517
$206,409โœ“ higher

What if you move from Singapore to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$56,976
43% increase
Take-home change
+$35,426
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$42,079
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Singapore$76,508
P10: $68,021Median: $76,508P90: $154,517
Los Angeles, CA$133,484
P10: $86,323Median: $133,484P90: $206,409

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Singapore or Los Angeles?

The median Data Scientist salary in Singapore is S$102,521/yr compared to $133,484/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 43% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Singapore or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Singapore salary has the purchasing power of $54,649/yr in a median-cost city, vs $96,728/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Singapore vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Singapore takes home approximately $55,851/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.