VP of Data Science.

Where do you fall?

Salary trend.

Estimated total: $561,000

Here is what the VP 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. Technical depth in data infrastructure, statistical rigor, and business impact measurement are the primary drivers. VP of Data Sciences who connect data work to revenue outcomes earn more than those focused purely on technical implementation. Experience with real-time data systems and ML feature engineering adds premiums.

VP of Data Sciences typically earn $203,000 to $338,000, with top performers at large organizations reaching $439,000. Lateral moves into adjacent executive functions or board advisory roles are common progression paths. C-suite advancement depends on demonstrated business impact and organizational scope. 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 at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical. 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 $340,000, 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 VP of Data Sciences in Philadelphia runs from $290,000 to $442,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

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

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