Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$145,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$95,395 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$82,415 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $165,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,000 | $125,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $215,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,000 | $270,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395▲ | $88,710 | +$6,685 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,271 | $138,281▲ | -$13,010 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,415▲ | $74,345 | +$8,070 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 18,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($95,395 vs $88,710 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 9.3%).
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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.