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2026 Salary Data — Washington, DC
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Washington: $140K Median

Data Scientists in Washington, DC earn between $88K and $239K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Washington, DC is $140,426 per year — +30% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $88,114 (entry, 25th percentile) to $239,317 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Washington earned approximately $22,649 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$140,426
+520.0% YoY · $11,702/mo
Entry
$110,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$214,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$239,317
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Washington vs Nearby
Washington
$140K
Long Beach
$130K
+8% vs Washington
San Diego
$127K
+10% vs Washington
Boston
$140K
+0% vs Washington

Free ATS scan · Washington employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Washington

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

Washington Job Market

US capital with massive federal government, defense, and consulting sector.

Population
712K
Cost of Living
152
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$700K

Top Industries in Washington

GovernmentDefenseTechEducationLobbying

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Washington 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 — Washington

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$88,114$140,426$239,317
Monthly$7,343$11,702$19,943
Weekly$1,695$2,701$4,602
Hourly$42$68$115

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Washington

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$97,791.333
Per month$8,149
Biweekly paycheck$3,761
Effective tax rate30.4%

Tax Breakdown on $140,426

Gross salary$140,426
Federal income tax−$23,045.24
District of Columbia state tax−$8,846.838
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,742.589
Take-home (net)$97,791.333

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 — Washington

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Washington.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$101,660
2–3 yr$110,500
4–6 yr$162,500
7–10 yr$214,500
11–15 yr$253,110
15+ yr$226,909

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Washington's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,649
2026 median:$140,426
Change:+$117,777

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
$92,386
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 Washington

Walk-away anchor: $122,110 (offers below this are below market for Washington).

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 $215K–$239K for experienced roles, citing Washington market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Washington

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Washington, DC?
The average Data Scientist salary in Washington is $140,426 per year as of April 2026 — $11,702/month, $2,701/week, or about $68/hour. Salaries range from $88,114 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $239,317 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $140,426 a good Data Scientist salary in Washington?
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. Washington's cost-of-living index is 152 (vs 100 nationally), giving $140,426 a real purchasing power of approximately $92,386 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 $140,426 in Washington?
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 Washington specifically (median home price $700,000), a $140,426 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $140,426 enough for a single person in Washington?
A single adult in Washington typically needs ~$68,400 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $140,426 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $140,426 enough for a couple in Washington?
A couple (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$109,440 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $140,426 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $140,426 each ($280,852 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $140,426 enough for a family of 4 in Washington?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$167,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $140,426 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 Washington. Childcare costs in Washington typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Washington?
On a $140,426 Data Scientist salary in Washington, DC, you take home approximately $97,791.333 per year ($8,149/month, $3,761 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $23,045.24, state $8,846.838, FICA $10,742.589. Effective tax rate: 30.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Washington earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Washington earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $140,426 in Washington). However, Washington's cost-of-living index of 152 means real purchasing power is approximately $92,386 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Washington?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Washington typically start at around $110,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $214,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $239,317+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Washington increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Washington grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $22,649 in 2025 to $140,426 in 2026 (+$117,777). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Washington?
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. Washington's top industries include Government, Defense, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Washington.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Washington?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Washington 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 Washington?
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 Washington?
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 Washington?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Washington'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 Washington are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Washington's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — 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 Washington

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$138KSeattle, WA$143KBoston, MA$140K

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