Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$162,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$100,000 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,400 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $162,000 | $165,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,000 | $125,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $210,000 | $215,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $262,000 | $270,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $88,710 | +$11,290 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $149,688▲ | $138,281 | +$11,407 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $74,345 | +$18,055 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 18,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $162,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $88,710 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.