Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$145,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,395 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$82,415 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $162,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,000 | $123,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $210,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,000 | $262,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395 | $100,000▲ | -$4,605 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,271 | $149,688▲ | -$24,417 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,415 | $92,400▲ | -$9,985 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 16,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $17,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($95,395 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.