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Data Scientist Salary in Washington, District of Columbia

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$157,709/ year

Median Data Scientist in Washington, DC

$93,382
10th
$113,880
25th
$157,709
Median
$211,700
75th
$258,274
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$157,709
Total compensation (est.)
$181,365
Bonus range
$3,900 – $17,400
Mean salary
$167,172

How This Compares

Washington, DC median
$157,709
District of Columbia median
$110,180+43.1%
National median
$108,020+46.0%

Cost of living in Washington is 46% above the national average. Salary of $157,709 here is equivalent to $108,020 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$113,550-28.0%
3-5 years
$143,515-9.0%
6-10 years
$176,634+12.0%
10+ years
$217,638+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$138,784-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$157,709
Enterprise (5,000+)
$186,097+18.0%

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$160K
$30K$500K

Related Jobs in Washington

Software Engineer$190,034/yr
Senior Software Engineer$190,034/yr
Frontend Developer$182,339/yr
Backend Developer$190,034/yr
Full Stack Developer$190,034/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$76/hr
Monthly gross$13,142/mo
25th percentile$113,880/yr
75th percentile$211,700/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

District of Columbia Unemployment

Dec 2025

6.7%+0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Data Scientist Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Washington?

The median Data Scientist salary in Washington is $157,709 per year, with a range from $113,880 at the 25th percentile to $211,700 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Data Scientist pay in Washington compare to the national average?

Data Scientist salaries in Washington are 46% above the national median of $108,020. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $108,020 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Data Scientist salaries in Washington?

In Washington, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Data Scientist roles start around $93,382, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $258,274 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Washington a good place for Data Scientist jobs?

Washington offers a Data Scientist median of $157,709, which is 46% above the US median of $108,020. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Washington is 46% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Data Scientist in Washington is $211,700, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.