Data Scientist Salary in Seattle, WA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Seattle's cost of living (index: 156). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Data Scientist Salary in Seattle — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Seattle
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Seattle
Seattle has a metro population of 4,100,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Seattle
Other Professions in Seattle
Data Scientist Salary — Other Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Data Scientist make in Seattle, WA?
The estimated median salary for a Data Scientist in Seattle is $175,640 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $112,590 adjusted by Seattle's cost of living index (156). The typical salary range runs from $128,794 (25th percentile) to $234,842 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $297,227.
Is Seattle affordable for a Data Scientist?
On a $175,640 annual salary, a Data Scientist in Seattle would spend approximately 12.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,800/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Seattle relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $780,000 is 4.4× the annual salary.
How does a Data Scientist's salary compare to Seattle's overall income?
Seattle's median household income is $102,900. A Data Scientist earning the city-adjusted median of $175,640 earns 70.7% more than the typical Seattle household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.