Data scientist pay in Washington, DC
Data scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $132,200 a year. The middle half earn $105,700 to $172,960, and the top 10% earn more than $212,320. About 9,260 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Data Scientists, SOC 15-2051).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $85,250 |
| 25th percentile | $105,700 |
| Median (typical) | $132,200 |
| 75th percentile | $172,960 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $212,320 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 7 of 50 large metros for data scientists before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $132,200, a single filer keeps about $93,400 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $85,700 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 17 of 50 large metros for data scientists after cost of living.
Where data scientists’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$185,080 typical · worth $113k
- Seattle, WA$164,740 typical · worth $112k
- San Francisco, CA$170,110 typical · worth $100k
- Austin, TX$127,360 typical · worth $100k
All 50 metros for data scientists →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among data scientists in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 11 employers here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a data scientist make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) data scientist in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $132,200 a year. The middle half earn between $105,700 and $172,960, and the top 10% earn more than $212,320. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a data scientist in Washington?
Anything above $132,200 pays more than half of data scientists in Washington. $172,960 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $212,320 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a data scientist in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $132,200, a single filer keeps about $93,400 a year ($7,780 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $85,700 would in a typical US city.
Where do data scientists get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical data scientist pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA. Washington, DC ranks No. 17.
More: Data scientist pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.