Data Scientists Salary
The median pay for a data scientists in Washington is $163,350/year ($78.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $220K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $160,131 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $163K get you in Washington?
About data scientists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for data scientists, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $120K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 17.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for data scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level data scientists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K. Top earners bring in $220K or more, a $140K spread from bottom to top.
Data Scientists salary by metro in Washington
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $165K | +1% | 8,370 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $157K | -4% | 150 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $134K | -18% | 60 |
| Bellingham | $120K | -26% | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $120K | -27% | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $117K | -28% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track data scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a data scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $163K, rent takes 17.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for data scientists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new data scientists typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,796/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is data scientist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $163K here vs. $120K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for data scientists?
Washington pays $163K median vs. the U.S. average of $120K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $160K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do data scientists make in Washington?
The median is $163,350 a year, that works out to about $79 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,930, and experienced data scientists can clear $220,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,200/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 17.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a data scientists salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median data scientists salary is worth about $160,131 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do data scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.