Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Washington DC, DC vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Washington DC, DC
$174,361
/ year
+4%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$168,072
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Washington DC
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$174,361✓ higher
$168,072
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$112,758✓ higher
$108,691
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$269,618✓ higher
$259,894
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$116,387✓ higher
$112,151
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$122,789✓ higher
$121,791
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,758✓ higher
$108,691
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$269,618✓ higher
$259,894

What if you move from Washington DC to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$6,289
4% decrease
Take-home change
$4,236
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$998
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

Washington DC, DC$174,361
P10: $112,758Median: $174,361P90: $269,618
Los Angeles, CA$168,072
P10: $108,691Median: $168,072P90: $259,894

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Washington DC, DC is $174,361/yr compared to $168,072/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Washington DC pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Washington DC or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Washington DC salary has the purchasing power of $122,789/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,791/yr for Los Angeles. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $116,387/yr, vs $112,151/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.