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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. Data Science Intern/
  4. Washington DC

Data Science Intern.

Washington DC.

$50,000

median salary, 19% above the national average

$40,000 to $66,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Here is what Data Science Interns actually make in Washington DC: $40,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $66,000 at the 75th. That is 19% above the national average. Washington DC's job market is shaped by the federal government, defense contractors, and a growing commercial tech sector. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$40,000

per year

Median

$50,000

per year

75th Percentile

$66,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$40,000$66,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $45,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$33,000

to $40,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$43,000

to $53,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$55,000

to $65,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$63,000

to $78,000

Salary trend

+6% YoY
$38,000
2022
$41,000
2023
$44,000
2024
$47,000
2025
$50,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $23,000 to the total package.

Base

$50,000

Equity

$14,000

Bonus

$6,000

Signing

$3,000

Estimated total: $73,000

How Washington DC compares

Washington DC, DC

$50,000

Cost of living: 25% above average

National Average

$42,000

Washington DC is $8,000 above

Data Science Intern salary by city

Data Science Intern salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Francisco, CA$58,000$46,000 – $76,0001.35x$43,000
San Jose, CA$57,000$45,000 – $75,0001.38x$41,000
New York, NY$54,000$42,000 – $70,0001.28x$42,000
Seattle, WA$54,000$42,000 – $70,0001.24x$44,000
Honolulu, HI$54,000$42,000 – $71,0001.30x$42,000
Boston, MA$53,000$41,000 – $69,0001.22x$43,000
San Diego, CA$51,000$40,000 – $66,0001.17x$44,000
Jersey City, NJ$51,000$40,000 – $67,0001.20x$43,000
Los Angeles, CA$50,000$39,000 – $66,0001.18x$42,000
Washington DC, DC$50,000$40,000 – $66,0001.25x$40,000

See all 81 cities for Data Science Intern →

Salary by role in Washington DC

Salary comparison by role in Washington DC
RoleMedianRange
Technical Fellow$451,000$351,000 – $586,000
Principal AI Research Scientist$438,000$341,000 – $569,000
Principal Quantitative Researcher$429,000$334,000 – $557,000
Customer Service Representative$51,000$39,000 – $67,000
Data Science Intern$50,000$40,000 – $66,000
UX Design Intern$49,000$39,000 – $64,000
Product Management Intern$48,000$37,000 – $62,000
Medical Assistant$47,000$40,000 – $57,000

What you should know

Washington DC's job market is shaped by the federal government, defense contractors, and a growing commercial tech sector. Cybersecurity, cloud computing, and consulting firms drive demand for cleared professionals. The region's stability, combined with high government pay scales, creates a salary floor that pulls private sector compensation upward. That is the backdrop for every Data Science Intern offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. DC income tax rates reach 10.75% for high earners. Maryland and Virginia residents working in DC face their own state taxes. Choose your residence jurisdiction carefully to optimize net pay. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest negotiation asset. Cleared professionals in DC command 20 to 30% premiums, and transferring your clearance to a new employer saves them significant time and cost. The range for Data Science Interns in Washington DC runs from $40,000 to $66,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Data Science Intern offer to see where you stand in Washington DC.

$

25th

$40,000

Median

$50,000

75th

$66,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Customer Service Representative in Washington DC earns $51,000 (2% more)
  • The highest-paying role in Washington DC is Technical Fellow at $451,000

Common questions.

In Washington DC, large enterprises typically pay Data Science Interns 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Total compensation at top companies often doubles the base through equity and bonuses. The $40,000 to $66,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Lead with data: Data Science Interns in Washington DC earn $40,000 to $66,000, so anchoring your ask near $66,000 gives room to land at the median. A security clearance is your strongest negotiation asset. Cleared professionals in DC command 20 to 30% premiums, and transferring your clearance to a new employer saves them significant time and cost. Never accept the first number without a conversation.

Entry level Data Science Intern positions in Washington DC typically start near $40,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $50,000.

DC income tax rates reach 10.75% for high earners. Maryland and Virginia residents working in DC face their own state taxes. Choose your residence jurisdiction carefully to optimize net pay. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Data Science Interns in Washington DC earn a median of $50,000, which positions this role competitively within its field. Related roles may pay 10 to 25% more or less depending on specialization depth. Use Orbyt's Salary Explorer to compare specific roles side by side in Washington DC.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Total compensation often exceeds base salary by 20 to 40%. In Washington DC's market, these extras can add $12,500 or more on top of the base salary.

Data Science Intern salary in other cities

Virginia Beach$42,000
Wilmington$44,000
Wichita$36,000
Austin$44,000
Atlanta$42,000
Anchorage$48,000

Other salaries in Washington DC

Data Scientist$164,000
Deep Learning Engineer$258,000
Data Science Manager$225,000
Data Science Director$261,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Data Science Intern Salary in Washington DC, DC." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/data-science-intern/washington-dc

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