Technology Philadelphia, PA Pop. 1,603,797

Data Scientist Salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The median data scientist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $112,341 per year, which is 4.0% above the national median and 6.1% above the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$112,341
vs State Avg
+$6,481
vs National
+$4,321
Cost of Living
102%

Data Scientist Pay in Philadelphia: What to Expect (2026)

Philadelphia offers a median data scientist salary of $112,341, which is $6,481 above the Pennsylvania state average of $105,860. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Philadelphia pays above average for this role.

Philadelphia's cost of living is 102% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for data scientists in Philadelphia spans from $63,856 at the 10th percentile to $185,328 at the 90th percentile — a $121,472 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $74,880, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. As a major metro area with a population of 1,603,797, Philadelphia typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Philadelphia by Experience

In Philadelphia, an entry-level data scientist earns around $74,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$74,880
+$2,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$116,480
+$4,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$171,600
+$6,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Philadelphia, PA

Percentile Philadelphia
10th Percentile $63,856
25th Percentile $87,568
Median (50th) $112,341
75th Percentile $146,640
90th Percentile $185,328

Data Scientist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

How to Become a Data Scientist in Philadelphia

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Philadelphia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Philadelphia

Browse open data scientist positions in Philadelphia, PA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Philadelphia

How much does a Data Scientist make in Philadelphia, PA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $112,341 per year, which is 4.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $63,856 (10th percentile) to $185,328 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Philadelphia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $112,341, a data scientist in Philadelphia earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Philadelphia compare to the Pennsylvania state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Philadelphia's median data scientist salary of $112,341 is 6.1% above the Pennsylvania state average of $105,860. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Philadelphia, PA? ▼
Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $112,341 in Philadelphia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Philadelphia? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Philadelphia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.