Data Scientist Salary in Seattle, WA
Data Scientists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $162,000/year, ranging from $123,000 (25th percentile) to $262,000 (90th percentile). After Washington state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 162), this is equivalent to $100,000 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Seattle, WA
Notable employers in this market include Amazon, Microsoft, and UW Medicine, all of which maintain substantial data science teams. A median salary around $162,000 goes further here than you might expect given the cost of living, especially since Washington has no state income tax - that's a meaningful difference in take-home pay compared to California or the Northeast. Rent for a decent 1BR in Capitol Hill or Fremont runs around $1,800 to $2,000 monthly, steep but paired with no income tax, it balances out. The city's transit network is workable for getting around, though many data scientists still drive or bike; I-5 and I-90 corridor traffic is real during rush hours, but the tech hubs in South Lake Union and Redmond are reachable without a soul-crushing commute if you plan it right. Rain is the constant here from October through May, which shapes how people think about time indoors and deep focus work - something to factor in if you're used to other climates.
1Salary Distribution in Seattle, WA
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Seattle, WA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (current) | $162,000 | 162 | $100,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $165,000 | 186 | $88,710 |
| New York, NY | $158,000 | 187 | $84,492 |
| Boston, MA | $148,000 | 162 | $91,358 |
| Austin, TX | $132,000 | 124 | $106,452 |
| Denver, CO | $128,000 | 128 | $100,000 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA?
The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $162,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $123,000 and the 90th percentile is $262,000.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a Data Scientist?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $162,000 Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is equivalent to $100,000 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162, meaning it is 62% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Washington is approximately 0%.
What is the Data Scientist salary range in Seattle, WA?
In Seattle, WA, Data Scientists earn between $123,000 (25th percentile) and $262,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $162,000 per year.
How many Data Scientist jobs are there in Seattle, WA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 16,000 Data Scientist positions in the Seattle, WA metropolitan area.
What do Data Scientists earn in Seattle, WA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Data Scientists in Seattle, WA earn a median annual wage of $162,000. The middle 50% earn between $123,000 and $210,000. The top 10% earn more than $262,000. There are approximately 16,000 Data Scientists employed in the Seattle, WA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.8%.
Is Seattle, WA a good place for a Data Scientist?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100), making it 62% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA earning $162,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $100,000 relative to the US median. Washington has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $162,000 in Seattle, WAhas the same purchasing power as $100,000 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Seattle, WA with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA?
The headline median of $162,000 is only part of the picture. Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 62¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $162,000 salary effectively purchases $100,000 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Seattle, WA, the median household typically spends 35–45% of gross income on housing — significantly above the 28% "affordable" threshold most lenders use. For a $162,000 salary, that translates to roughly $64,800/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Washington has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $9,720 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $149,688. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($165,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($158,000 median, COL 187); Boston, MA ($148,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5.8% year-over-year growth rate for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Data Scientists or the Washington state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.