Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Washington DC, DC vs Miami, FL

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

Washington DC, DC
$174,361
/ year
+19%
difference
Miami, FL
$145,970
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Washington DC
Miami
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$174,361โœ“ higher
$145,970
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$112,758โœ“ higher
$94,398
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$269,618โœ“ higher
$225,717
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$116,387โœ“ higher
$98,812
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$122,789โœ“ higher
$121,642
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42ร—
1.20ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,758โœ“ higher
$94,398
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$269,618โœ“ higher
$225,717

What if you move from Washington DC to Miami?

Gross salary change
$28,391
19% decrease
Take-home change
$17,575
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,147
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

Washington DC, DC$174,361
P10: $112,758Median: $174,361P90: $269,618
Miami, FL$145,970
P10: $94,398Median: $145,970P90: $225,717

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Washington DC or Miami?

The median Data Scientist salary in Washington DC, DC is $174,361/yr compared to $145,970/yr in Miami, FL. Washington DC pays 19% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Washington DC or Miami 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 $121,642/yr for Miami. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Washington DC vs Miami?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $116,387/yr, vs $98,812/yr in Miami, FL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.