Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$102,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$113,333 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$101,506 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $158,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $120,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,000 | $205,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,000 | $258,000▲ | -$92,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 6.85% | -3.78% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,333▲ | $84,492 | +$28,841 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,355 | $135,992▲ | -$44,637 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,506▲ | $72,723 | +$28,783 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 24,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $56,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($113,333 vs $84,492 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 6.85%).
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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.