Data Scientist Salary in Washington
Based on 10K+ workers in Washington
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$163,350
$78.53/hr
vs National Average
$107,281
+52.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$80K – $220K
10K employed in Washington
Data Scientist salary in Washington averages $175,748 annually, positioning the state as a highly competitive market for this role. This median figure reflects strong compensation in the tech sector, with salaries reaching up to $180,710. Washington's data science compensation stands approximately 31% above the national average, demonstrating the state's robust demand for these professionals and the significant value placed on their expertise.
Several factors shape Data Scientist salary in Washington, including experience level, educational background, and specific industry focus. Tech hubs like Seattle attract top talent and drive higher wages, while specialization in emerging technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence can command premium pay. Company size and profitability also play substantial roles, as larger enterprises and well-funded startups typically offer more generous compensation packages than smaller organizations.
Salary Distribution — Data Scientist in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,930 |
| 25th percentile | $105,240 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $163,350 |
| 75th percentile | $208,320 |
| 90th percentile | $220,040 |
Top H-1B Employers for Data Scientist in Washington
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Washington — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Corporation | 183 | $180,952 |
| 2 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 124 | $144,350 |
| 3 | People Tech Group, Inc | 46 | $129,709 |
| 4 | TT Commerce & Global Services LLC | 21 | $205,000 |
| 5 | Expedia, Inc. | 21 | $140,931 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Washington
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Washington.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $106,080 | 71 |
| Level II | Qualified | $142,650 | 310 |
| Level III | Experienced | $185,000 | 224 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $217,150 | 104 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Data Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Data Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Data Scientists in Washington tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $141,440 | 32K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $137,840 | 4K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $133,750 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,050 | 29K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $126,730 | 70K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Data Scientist in Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $135,850 |
| 2023 | $132,620 |
| 2024 | $158,760 |
| 2025 | $163,350 |
| 2026 (projected) | $168,073 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $135,850 | $98,212 |
| 2023 | $132,620 | $104,916 |
| 2024 | $158,760 | $105,473 |
| 2025 | $163,350 | $107,281 |
| 2026 (projected) | $168,073 | $110,383 |
Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $105,240 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $163,350 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $208,320 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $220,040 |
Data Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Data Scientist Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Data Scientist ($163,350 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Data Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in WA | $209,370 | +28.2% | $100.66/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in WA | $202,400 | +23.9% | $97.31/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in WA | $169,120 | +3.5% | $81.31/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in WA | $168,070 | +2.9% | $80.80/hr |
| Software Developer in WA | $166,540 | +2.0% | $80.07/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in WA | $154,940 | -5.1% | $74.49/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in WA | $133,480 | -18.3% | $64.17/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in WA | $130,480 | -20.1% | $62.73/hr |
| Web Developer in WA | $130,440 | -20.1% | $62.71/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in WA | $129,410 | -20.8% | $62.22/hr |
| Software Engineer in WA | $128,940 | -21.1% | $61.99/hr |
| Database Administrator in WA | $128,760 | -21.2% | $61.90/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data scientists make in Washington?
- Data scientists in Washington earn a median salary of $175,748 per year, which translates to approximately $84 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 30.7% premium for data scientists working in the state.
What is the salary range for data scientists in Washington?
- Data scientist salaries in Washington range up to $180,710 at the high end. The median salary of $175,748 provides a good benchmark for what most data scientists in the state can expect to earn.
Is a data scientist salary in Washington higher than the national average?
- Yes, data scientists in Washington earn 30.7% more than the national average, with a median salary of $175,748 per year compared to lower national figures. This makes Washington one of the more lucrative states for data science professionals.
How many data scientists are employed in Washington?
- There are currently 282 data scientists employed in Washington, indicating a concentrated but established job market for this profession in the state.