Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Sydney vs Denver, CO

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

Sydney
$103,806
/ year
-31%
difference
Denver, CO
$150,932
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Sydney
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$103,806
$150,932โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$68,874
$97,607โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$156,454
$233,390โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,588
$101,807โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$76,893
$132,396โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35ร—
1.14ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$104,688โœ“ higher
$97,607
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$237,810โœ“ higher
$233,390

What if you move from Sydney to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$47,126
31% increase
Take-home change
+$31,219
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$55,503
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

Sydney$103,806
P10: $104,688Median: $103,806P90: $237,810
Denver, CO$150,932
P10: $97,607Median: $150,932P90: $233,390

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Sydney or Denver?

The median Data Scientist salary in Sydney is A$157,785/yr compared to $150,932/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 31% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Sydney or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $76,893/yr in a median-cost city, vs $132,396/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Sydney vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Sydney takes home approximately $70,588/yr, vs $101,807/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.