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Data Scientists salary in Washington, DC

Data Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn a median of $132,200 a year, an average of $143,510. About 9,260 people work in this occupation there. Figures are from the May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS).

Data Scientists pay at a glance

Annual median wage
$132,200
Half earn more, half earn less
Annual mean wage
$143,510
Pulled up by top earners
10th percentile
$85,250
Bottom of the range
90th percentile
$212,320
Top of the range
People employed
9,260
In Washington metro area
Rent share of median wage
17.2%
Median rent ÷ median wage

What this wage buys in Washington

Rent from the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, compared with the wage above

Median gross rent
$1,900
per month, in Washington, DC
Income needed for median rent
$76,000
Keeps rent at 30% of gross pay
Median data scientists wage
$132,200
73.9% above income needed for median rent
Rent as share of this wage
17.2%
12 months rent ÷ median wage
City median household income
$106,287
All households, not one occupation

Occupations are not paid the same everywhere, and this page does not explain why. It reports what the survey measured for the Washington area. Read the Washington, DC cost of living page for rent, income and the price level, or the methodology for how the numbers are compiled.

Data Scientists pay in other cities

Median annual wage, same occupation, same survey

El Paso, TX
-27.8%
Median $95,430
Mean $101,780
Employed 320
Boston, MA
same
Median $132,040
Mean $137,030
Employed 7,930
Nashville-Davidson, TN
-22.1%
Median $103,020
Mean $109,590
Employed 1,360
Oklahoma City, OK
-31.0%
Median $91,240
Mean $97,760
Employed 820
Las Vegas, NV
-25.2%
Median $98,930
Mean $107,580
Employed 1,180
Portland, OR
-2.0%
Median $129,600
Mean $134,940
Employed 1,700
Detroit, MI
-21.8%
Median $103,330
Mean $111,040
Employed 3,810
Denver, CO
-14.9%
Median $112,520
Mean $125,040
Employed 4,510

See data scientists pay in every covered city.

Take-home pay calculator

Estimate your net pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Adjust filing status and allowances for your situation.

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Gross annual income $132,200 / year
$132,200
Federal income tax 2024 brackets, Single filing
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State income tax District of Columbia (DC)
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FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.65% up to wage base
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Pre-tax deductions 401(k), HSA, etc.
$0
Take-home pay (annual) After all taxes
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Take-home per paycheck Monthly
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Effective tax rate Total tax ÷ gross income
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Estimates use 2024 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% SS up to $168,600, 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% >$200k), and state rates from Tax Foundation. Does not include local taxes, AMT, or tax credits. Consult a tax professional for actual liability.

Definitions used on this page

Annual median wage
The wage that half of the people in this occupation earn more than and half earn less than, for one year of work.
Annual mean wage
The average of all reported wages. It is higher than the median when a few very high earners pull it up.
Percentiles
The 10th percentile is the wage below which 10% of workers fall; the 90th is the wage above which only 10% rise. The gap between them shows how wide the pay range is.
Employment
The estimated number of jobs in this occupation in the metropolitan area, not the number of residents who hold it.

Sources and limits

Wages describe the metropolitan area, while rent and income describe the city boundaries. The two areas do not cover exactly the same ground. Wages are also averaged across a year and across every industry, so a specific employer can differ widely from the median shown here.