Director of Data Science.
Philadelphia.
$225,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$173,000 to $293,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Director of Data Science offer in Philadelphia, PA, here is the reality: $173,000 to $293,000, with $225,000 as the midpoint. 5% above the national average. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $203,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$146,000
to $180,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$191,000
to $236,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$248,000
to $293,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$281,000
to $349,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $147,000 to the total package.
Base
$225,000
Equity
$79,000
Bonus
$50,000
Signing
$18,000
Estimated total: $372,000
How Philadelphia compares
Philadelphia, PA
$225,000
Cost of living: 9% above average
National Average
$215,000
Philadelphia is $10,000 above
Director of Data Science salary by city
Salary by role in Philadelphia
What you should know
Here is what the Director of Data Science market actually looks like in Philadelphia. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Directors overseeing ML engineers alongside data scientists earn more than those managing analytics-only teams. Industry premiums are highest in fintech, adtech, and healthcare AI where model accuracy directly drives revenue.
Senior data scientists earn $140,000 to $175,000. Data science managers advance to $165,000 to $210,000. Directors start at $195,000 to $250,000. Senior directors overseeing multiple teams earn $245,000 to $300,000. VP of data science or CDO is the next step at $260,000 to $380,000. In Philadelphia, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity grants at tech companies add $80,000 to $300,000 in annualized value. Cash bonuses of 15 to 25% of base tied to model performance metrics and business impact are typical. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $75,000 are common due to talent scarcity. And on the tax side: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $225,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Director of Data Sciences in Philadelphia runs from $173,000 to $293,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A AI Research Scientist in Philadelphia earns $227,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Philadelphia is Chief AI Officer at $341,000
Common questions.
Director of Data Science salary in other cities
Other salaries in Philadelphia
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