Technology Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Data Scientist Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median data scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $172,832 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 26.0% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$172,832
vs State Avg
+$35,647
vs National
+$64,812
Cost of Living
148%

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

Seattle offers a median data scientist salary of $172,832, which is $35,647 above the Washington state average of $137,185. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $172,832 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $116,778. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Seattle spans from $98,240 at the 10th percentile to $285,120 at the 90th percentile — a $186,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $115,200, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $264,000. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level data scientist earns around $115,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $264,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$115,200
+$43,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$179,200
+$67,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$264,000
+$99,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $98,240
25th Percentile $134,720
Median (50th) $172,832
75th Percentile $225,600
90th Percentile $285,120

Data Scientist Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$177,153
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$131,784
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$123,143
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$112,341
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Data Scientist in Seattle

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Seattle and the surrounding Washington 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 Seattle may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Seattle

Browse open data scientist positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Seattle

How much does a Data Scientist make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Seattle, Washington is $172,832 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $98,240 (10th percentile) to $285,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $172,832, a data scientist in Seattle earns approximately $83 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Seattle's median data scientist salary of $172,832 is 26.0% above the Washington state average of $137,185. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $172,832 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Seattle? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Seattle 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.