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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Seattle: $143K Median

Data Scientists in Seattle, WA earn between $89K and $243K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $142,586 per year — +32% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $89,470 (entry, 25th percentile) to $242,999 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Seattle earned approximately $22,998 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$142,586
+520.0% YoY · $11,882/mo
Entry
$112,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$217,800
5+ years
Top 10%
$242,999
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$143K
Boston
$140K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$127K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$138K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Seattle

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

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Seattle 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 — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$89,470$142,586$242,999
Monthly$7,456$11,882$20,250
Weekly$1,721$2,742$4,673
Hourly$43$69$117

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Seattle

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$108,114.531
Per month$9,010
Biweekly paycheck$4,158
Effective tax rate24.2%

Tax Breakdown on $142,586

Gross salary$142,586
Federal income tax−$23,563.64
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,907.829
Take-home (net)$108,114.531

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 — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$103,224
2–3 yr$112,200
4–6 yr$165,000
7–10 yr$217,800
11–15 yr$257,004
15+ yr$230,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,998
2026 median:$142,586
Change:+$119,588

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$86,416
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $123,988 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

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 $218K–$243K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Seattle is $142,586 per year as of April 2026 — $11,882/month, $2,742/week, or about $69/hour. Salaries range from $89,470 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $242,999 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $142,586 a good Data Scientist salary in Seattle?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $142,586 a real purchasing power of approximately $86,416 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $142,586 in Seattle?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $142,586 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $142,586 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $142,586 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $142,586 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $142,586 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $142,586 each ($285,172 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $142,586 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $142,586 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 Seattle. Childcare costs in Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Seattle?
On a $142,586 Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $108,114.531 per year ($9,010/month, $4,158 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $23,563.64, state $0, FICA $10,907.829. Effective tax rate: 24.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $142,586 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $86,416 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Seattle typically start at around $112,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $217,800 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $242,999+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Seattle grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $22,998 in 2025 to $142,586 in 2026 (+$119,588). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Seattle?
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. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Seattle 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Seattle'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 Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — 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 Seattle

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$146KLos Angeles, CA$138KWashington, DC$140KBoston, MA$140K

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