Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$102,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$113,333 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$101,506 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $148,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $112,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,000 | $192,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,000 | $240,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,333▲ | $91,358 | +$21,975 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,355 | $129,914▲ | -$38,559 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,506▲ | $80,194 | +$21,312 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 14,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $46,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($113,333 vs $91,358 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
4More Data Scientist City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.