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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Philadelphia: $112K Median

Data Scientists in Philadelphia, PA earn between $70K and $191K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $112,341 per year — +4% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $70,491 (entry, 25th percentile) to $191,454 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Philadelphia earned approximately $18,120 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$112,341
+520.0% YoY · $9,362/mo
Entry
$88,400
0–2 years
Experienced
$171,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$191,454
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$112K
Las Vegas
$103K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$119K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$113K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Philadelphia

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and inform business decisions. They combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build machine learning models
  • Analyze structured/unstructured data
  • Deploy models to production
  • Communicate findings to stakeholders
  • A/B testing and experimentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google Data AnalyticsTensorFlow DeveloperAWS ML SpecialtyMicrosoft DA-100

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Philadelphia or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
OpenAI
Anthropic
Databricks

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Data Scientist listings.

LLMsPyTorchMLOpsdbtSnowflakeGenAI

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonSQLTensorFlowPyTorchmachine learningstatisticsA/B testingdata visualizationpandasscikit-learn
Career Outlook
+36% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand.

Data Scientist Salary Breakdown — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,491$112,341$191,454
Monthly$5,874$9,362$15,955
Weekly$1,356$2,160$3,682
Hourly$34$54$92

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$79,668.237
Per month$6,639
Biweekly paycheck$3,064
Effective tax rate29.1%

Tax Breakdown on $112,341

Gross salary$112,341
Federal income tax−$16,417.02
Pennsylvania state tax−$3,448.869
Philadelphia local tax−$4,212.787
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,594.087
Take-home (net)$79,668.237

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Data Scientist Salary by Experience — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$81,328
2–3 yr$88,400
4–6 yr$130,000
7–10 yr$171,600
11–15 yr$202,488
15+ yr$181,527

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,120
2026 median:$112,341
Change:+$94,221

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$103,065
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $97,688 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $172K–$191K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia is $112,341 per year as of April 2026 — $9,362/month, $2,160/week, or about $54/hour. Salaries range from $70,491 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $191,454 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $112,341 a good Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $112,341 a real purchasing power of approximately $103,065 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $112,341 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $112,341 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $112,341 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $112,341 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $112,341 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $112,341 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $112,341 each ($224,682 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $112,341 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $112,341 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Philadelphia?
On a $112,341 Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $79,668.237 per year ($6,639/month, $3,064 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,417.02, state $3,448.869, local $4,212.787, FICA $8,594.087. Effective tax rate: 29.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $112,341 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $103,065 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Philadelphia typically start at around $88,400 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $171,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $191,454+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $18,120 in 2025 to $112,341 in 2026 (+$94,221). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Philadelphia?
Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Data Scientists are: LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps, dbt, Snowflake, GenAI. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Philadelphia include: Google, Meta, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, OpenAI. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in Philadelphia?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google Data Analytics or TensorFlow Developer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Data Scientist in Philadelphia?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Philadelphia's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Data Scientist salary figures for Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Philadelphia

Software Engineer →Machine Learning Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$113KHouston, TX$113KPhoenix, AZ$108KDallas, TX$113KFort Worth, TX$110KCharlotte, NC$110KNashville, TN$108KSacramento, CA$117K

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