Data scientist salary
BLS occupation: Data Scientists · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $120,230 a year, US
Median hourly pay $57.80 an hour
Middle half earn $85,660–$158,880 25th to 75th percentile
Data scientists employed 262,440 +34.6% projected by 2035
How much does a data scientist make?
- The median data scientist salary in the US is $120,230 a year ($57.80 an hour): half of the 262,440 data scientists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $126,800.
- The middle half earn between $85,660 and $158,880. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $67,240 and the top 10% more than $199,130.
- That is 2.4 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays data scientists the most (median $163,350), followed by California ($141,590) and Maryland ($136,370). Mississippi pays the least ($69,490).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $152,645 in typical US prices, then Minnesota and Maryland.
- In 270 of the 277 metro areas with data, the median data scientist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of data scientists to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 24,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what data scientists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Data scientist salary range
Half of data scientists earn between $85,660 and $158,880 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $67,240
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $85,660
Median Yearly pay: $120,230
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $158,880
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $199,130
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $67,240 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $85,660 |
| Median | $120,230 |
| Top 25% earn over | $158,880 |
| Top 10% earn over | $199,130 |
Data scientist salary by state
Washington pays data scientists the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($120,230), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $163,350 median |
| California | $141,590 median |
| Maryland | $136,370 median |
| New Jersey | $135,280 median |
| Massachusetts | $131,750 median |
| New York | $130,460 median |
| Minnesota | $128,800 median |
| Vermont | $127,070 median |
| District of Columbia | $126,490 median |
| Virginia | $126,430 median |
| Connecticut | $126,340 median |
| Oregon | $125,990 median |
| Texas | $122,090 median |
| North Carolina | $119,090 median |
| Colorado | $117,400 median |
| Florida | $115,820 median |
| Arkansas | $109,390 median |
| Utah | $108,090 median |
| Arizona | $107,240 median |
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 median |
| Wisconsin | $106,680 median |
| Illinois | $106,560 median |
| Georgia | $104,340 median |
| Alabama | $103,120 median |
| Ohio | $102,630 median |
| Rhode Island | $102,440 median |
| Hawaii | $102,130 median |
| New Hampshire | $100,620 median |
| Michigan | $100,590 median |
| Montana | $100,490 median |
| Tennessee | $100,330 median |
| Nevada | $98,540 median |
| Nebraska | $98,230 median |
| Kansas | $98,130 median |
| Missouri | $97,090 median |
| South Dakota | $96,150 median |
| New Mexico | $95,850 median |
| Iowa | $95,830 median |
| South Carolina | $91,990 median |
| Kentucky | $91,760 median |
| Indiana | $91,470 median |
| Maine | $90,880 median |
| Idaho | $89,380 median |
| Oklahoma | $86,310 median |
| West Virginia | $85,090 median |
| Alaska | $84,110 median |
| North Dakota | $81,900 median |
| Louisiana | $78,760 median |
| Mississippi | $69,490 median |
Where data scientist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Data scientists' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $152,645 |
| Minnesota | $130,601 |
| Maryland | $129,927 |
| Vermont | $129,719 |
| California | $127,881 |
| North Carolina | $126,254 |
| Arkansas | $125,827 |
| Texas | $125,792 |
| Virginia | $125,049 |
| Massachusetts | $124,578 |
Data scientist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $163,350 | $78.53 | $79,930 | $220,040 | 9,600 | $152,645 |
| California | $141,590 | $68.07 | $77,480 | $224,920 | 39,310 | $127,881 |
| Maryland | $136,370 | $65.56 | $77,930 | $213,270 | 3,340 | $129,927 |
| New Jersey | $135,280 | $65.04 | $80,720 | $203,950 | 6,430 | $124,333 |
| Massachusetts | $131,750 | $63.34 | $81,030 | $206,220 | 9,420 | $124,578 |
| New York | $130,460 | $62.72 | $73,330 | $214,080 | 23,970 | $120,885 |
| Minnesota | $128,800 | $61.92 | $65,730 | $179,640 | 4,020 | $130,601 |
| Vermont | $127,070 | $61.09 | $76,570 | $160,430 | 200 | $129,719 |
| District of Columbia | $126,490 | $60.81 | $89,750 | $209,730 | 2,680 | $115,094 |
| Virginia | $126,430 | $60.78 | $76,420 | $207,890 | 8,920 | $125,049 |
| Connecticut | $126,340 | $60.74 | $75,700 | $204,680 | 1,760 | $121,938 |
| Oregon | $125,990 | $60.57 | $78,110 | $206,550 | 2,140 | $121,893 |
| Texas | $122,090 | $58.70 | $64,540 | $170,780 | 25,860 | $125,792 |
| North Carolina | $119,090 | $57.25 | $65,970 | $172,830 | 11,430 | $126,254 |
| Colorado | $117,400 | $56.44 | $74,470 | $189,630 | 6,280 | $113,923 |
| Florida | $115,820 | $55.68 | $63,080 | $174,140 | 10,240 | $111,996 |
| Arkansas | $109,390 | $52.59 | $67,090 | $169,110 | 530 | $125,827 |
| Utah | $108,090 | $51.97 | $60,680 | $167,890 | 4,360 | $109,332 |
| Arizona | $107,240 | $51.56 | $65,200 | $161,730 | 4,560 | $106,519 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 | $51.37 | $63,340 | $162,290 | 13,810 | $109,509 |
| Wisconsin | $106,680 | $51.29 | $76,300 | $168,810 | 4,370 | $113,375 |
| Illinois | $106,560 | $51.23 | $68,810 | $168,880 | 10,520 | $106,605 |
| Georgia | $104,340 | $50.16 | $67,750 | $170,010 | 9,260 | $108,357 |
| Alabama | $103,120 | $49.58 | $59,130 | $161,590 | 1,740 | $116,096 |
| Ohio | $102,630 | $49.34 | $61,710 | $160,650 | 6,100 | $110,624 |
| Rhode Island | $102,440 | $49.25 | $75,310 | $158,820 | 1,160 | $100,156 |
| Hawaii | $102,130 | $49.10 | $77,270 | $172,870 | 300 | $92,887 |
| New Hampshire | $100,620 | $48.38 | $73,480 | $155,020 | 1,100 | $96,597 |
| Michigan | $100,590 | $48.36 | $60,830 | $162,670 | 7,360 | $104,545 |
| Montana | $100,490 | $48.31 | $67,120 | $167,150 | 220 | $106,176 |
| Tennessee | $100,330 | $48.24 | $60,200 | $156,160 | 2,790 | $109,209 |
| Nevada | $98,540 | $47.38 | $57,150 | $164,110 | 1,680 | $98,561 |
| Nebraska | $98,230 | $47.23 | $66,230 | $133,140 | 1,980 | $109,020 |
| Kansas | $98,130 | $47.18 | $60,520 | $154,990 | 490 | $108,951 |
| Missouri | $97,090 | $46.68 | $58,960 | $151,380 | 4,730 | $106,907 |
| South Dakota | $96,150 | $46.23 | $67,510 | $145,510 | 220 | $108,539 |
| New Mexico | $95,850 | $46.08 | $49,990 | $133,660 | 560 | $103,945 |
| Iowa | $95,830 | $46.07 | $56,070 | $146,700 | 2,300 | $109,193 |
| South Carolina | $91,990 | $44.23 | $61,600 | $156,000 | 3,750 | $98,124 |
| Kentucky | $91,760 | $44.12 | $61,990 | $156,480 | 1,540 | $101,776 |
| Indiana | $91,470 | $43.98 | $58,750 | $141,250 | 3,580 | $98,008 |
| Maine | $90,880 | $43.69 | $60,280 | $138,530 | 1,210 | $93,642 |
| Idaho | $89,380 | $42.97 | $63,980 | $169,010 | 1,350 | $93,598 |
| Oklahoma | $86,310 | $41.50 | $58,690 | $145,580 | 1,900 | $98,255 |
| West Virginia | $85,090 | $40.91 | $57,500 | $125,100 | 390 | $95,076 |
| Alaska | $84,110 | $40.44 | $51,550 | $138,400 | 230 | $82,172 |
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $39.38 | $59,030 | $126,710 | 210 | $92,065 |
| Louisiana | $78,760 | $37.87 | $53,050 | $128,210 | 1,300 | $89,290 |
| Mississippi | $69,490 | $33.41 | $43,940 | $125,990 | 440 | $79,917 |
BLS does not publish pay for data scientists in 2 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Data scientist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes data scientist pay: 281 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $185,080
- San Francisco, CA $170,110
- Idaho Falls, ID $167,840
- Seattle, WA $164,740
- Kennewick, WA $156,830
- Charlottesville, VA $149,800
- North Port, FL $146,980
- Bridgeport, CT $141,760
- Corvallis, OR $140,190
- New York, NY $135,980
Where the pay goes furthest
- Idaho Falls, ID $177,774
- San Jose, CA $167,610
- Kennewick, WA $156,706
- Charlottesville, VA $151,090
- Seattle, WA $148,237
- San Francisco, CA $147,137
- North Port, FL $143,511
- Fayetteville, AR $137,478
- Charlotte, NC $136,069
- Corvallis, OR $134,776
All 281 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $185,080 | 6,060 | $167,610 | 25% |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,110 | 10,460 | $147,137 | 24% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $167,840 | 230 | $177,774 | 10% |
| Seattle, WA | $164,740 | 8,370 | $148,237 | 16% |
| Kennewick, WA | $156,830 | 150 | $156,706 | 13% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $149,800 | – | $151,090 | 16% |
| North Port, FL | $146,980 | 210 | $143,511 | 17% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $141,760 | 570 | $132,655 | 24% |
| Corvallis, OR | $140,190 | 60 | $134,776 | 16% |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | 23,160 | $120,803 | 31% |
| Trenton, NJ | $135,320 | 430 | $131,149 | 22% |
| Baltimore, MD | $134,320 | 1,090 | $128,552 | 17% |
| Bremerton, WA | $134,220 | 60 | $127,094 | 18% |
| Boulder, CO | $134,040 | 540 | $127,412 | 20% |
| Charlotte, NC | $132,460 | 4,420 | $136,069 | 16% |
| Washington, DC | $132,200 | 9,260 | $121,414 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $132,040 | 7,930 | $121,959 | 27% |
| Burlington, VT | $131,820 | 100 | $130,581 | 24% |
| San Diego, CA | $130,990 | 2,830 | $117,073 | 27% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $130,980 | 80 | $119,185 | 32% |
| Winchester, VA | $129,990 | 60 | $134,774 | 17% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $129,780 | 3,250 | $123,810 | 16% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $129,740 | 9,850 | $114,242 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $129,600 | 1,700 | $122,936 | 17% |
| Barnstable, MA | $129,530 | 70 | $131,702 | 24% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $129,020 | 90 | $128,047 | 19% |
| Dallas, TX | $127,750 | 10,120 | $123,921 | 16% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $127,600 | 580 | $126,704 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $127,450 | 3,040 | $111,646 | 25% |
| Austin, TX | $127,360 | 3,730 | $129,872 | 15% |
| Oxnard, CA | $126,360 | 460 | $114,318 | 28% |
| Hartford, CT | $126,340 | 560 | $122,963 | 19% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $126,270 | 40 | $134,310 | 13% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $125,590 | 280 | $137,478 | 15% |
| Midland, TX | $125,330 | 100 | $130,848 | 15% |
| Salem, OR | $124,040 | 90 | $119,673 | 16% |
| Worcester, MA | $123,640 | 490 | $120,597 | 20% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $122,680 | 880 | $123,316 | 16% |
| Richmond, VA | $122,510 | 1,050 | $125,192 | 17% |
| New Haven, CT | $121,880 | 150 | $116,566 | 20% |
| Springfield, MA | $121,090 | 300 | $126,055 | 19% |
| Bloomington, IL | $120,760 | 590 | $129,104 | 13% |
| Raleigh, NC | $120,710 | 1,990 | $122,976 | 17% |
| Bozeman, MT | $120,500 | 50 | $117,550 | 22% |
| Bellingham, WA | $120,180 | 40 | $116,302 | 19% |
| Olympia, WA | $120,040 | 120 | $115,790 | 20% |
| Peoria, IL | $120,000 | 340 | $131,534 | 12% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $119,930 | 130 | $111,269 | 27% |
| Lakeland, FL | $119,340 | 190 | $122,852 | 18% |
| Spokane, WA | $117,250 | 160 | $116,846 | 15% |
| Greeley, CO | $116,790 | 100 | $116,585 | 17% |
| Naples, FL | $115,140 | 50 | $111,570 | 27% |
| Slidell, LA | $115,140 | 40 | $124,172 | – |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $114,990 | 2,970 | $114,000 | 17% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $114,830 | 60 | $105,741 | 29% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $114,540 | 3,480 | $110,864 | 18% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $113,990 | 190 | $104,772 | 35% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $113,450 | 80 | $122,422 | 15% |
| Riverside, CA | $112,910 | 1,000 | $106,077 | 27% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $112,680 | 340 | $111,697 | 20% |
| Denver, CO | $112,520 | 4,510 | $106,370 | 20% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $111,870 | 30 | $127,108 | 14% |
| Huntsville, AL | $111,810 | 620 | $120,133 | 15% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $111,310 | 220 | $110,068 | 21% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $111,300 | 40 | $116,574 | 19% |
| Tampa, FL | $109,990 | 1,730 | $109,020 | 22% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $109,910 | 6,480 | $107,173 | 21% |
| Gainesville, FL | $109,800 | 70 | $113,508 | 18% |
| Atlanta, GA | $108,940 | 6,820 | $108,877 | 20% |
| Tyler, TX | $108,780 | – | $118,039 | 14% |
| Syracuse, NY | $108,680 | 350 | $113,513 | 18% |
| Columbus, OH | $107,950 | 1,480 | $113,073 | 17% |
| Chicago, IL | $107,640 | 7,940 | $103,905 | 24% |
| Jackson, MI | $107,640 | 70 | $117,282 | 13% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $107,310 | 240 | $98,070 | 25% |
| Longview, TX | $107,270 | 60 | $119,875 | 13% |
| Eugene, OR | $107,130 | 90 | $105,476 | 20% |
| Bend, OR | $106,790 | 80 | $103,072 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $106,750 | 4,060 | $108,234 | 18% |
| Orlando, FL | $106,590 | 1,440 | $105,100 | 22% |
| Durham, NC | $106,500 | 1,320 | $109,150 | 18% |
| Davenport, IA | $106,340 | 280 | $119,377 | 11% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $106,270 | 90 | $115,538 | 16% |
| Kenosha, WI | $106,120 | 80 | $104,947 | – |
| Roanoke, VA | $106,090 | – | $113,322 | 16% |
| Greensboro, NC | $106,060 | 370 | $114,209 | 16% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $105,400 | 280 | $105,395 | 21% |
| Kingston, NY | $105,160 | 40 | $104,420 | 23% |
| Modesto, CA | $104,990 | 80 | $100,847 | 24% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $104,710 | 1,080 | $108,019 | 18% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $104,620 | 30 | $110,282 | 17% |
| Racine, WI | $104,530 | 50 | $108,930 | 17% |
| Vallejo, CA | $104,530 | 70 | $96,360 | 28% |
| Wausau, WI | $104,420 | 50 | $112,703 | 11% |
| Manchester, NH | $103,790 | 280 | $98,233 | 25% |
| Sacramento, CA | $103,700 | 2,710 | $97,216 | 26% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $103,590 | 50 | $108,921 | 20% |
| Little Rock, AR | $103,510 | 130 | $115,830 | 14% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $103,440 | 40 | $115,908 | 15% |
| Provo, UT | $103,340 | 840 | $105,200 | 21% |
| Detroit, MI | $103,330 | 3,810 | $103,023 | 18% |
| San Antonio, TX | $103,290 | 1,730 | $109,052 | 16% |
| Appleton, WI | $103,210 | 90 | $111,676 | 14% |
| Binghamton, NY | $103,130 | 110 | $111,056 | 19% |
| Des Moines, IA | $103,030 | 1,240 | $112,354 | 15% |
| Nashville, TN | $103,020 | 1,360 | $106,936 | 21% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $102,740 | 40 | $116,306 | 22% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $102,650 | 1,680 | $107,633 | 18% |
| Providence, RI | $102,440 | 1,170 | $100,655 | 25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $102,250 | 840 | $106,684 | 17% |
| Memphis, TN | $102,220 | 410 | $110,893 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $102,080 | 250 | $91,996 | 35% |
| Allentown, PA | $101,970 | 490 | $102,003 | 22% |
| Norwich, CT | $101,940 | 60 | $101,488 | 25% |
| Cleveland, OH | $101,860 | 1,260 | $108,451 | 17% |
| Napa, CA | $101,830 | 30 | $90,472 | 34% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $101,570 | 300 | $110,351 | 18% |
| Greenville, NC | $101,520 | 80 | $114,839 | 17% |
| Pensacola, FL | $101,490 | 130 | $103,861 | 21% |
| Stockton, CA | $101,370 | 100 | $96,461 | 29% |
| Amarillo, TX | $101,350 | 70 | $110,379 | 15% |
| Fresno, CA | $101,250 | 220 | $99,111 | 24% |
| Dalton, GA | $101,020 | 50 | $112,439 | 17% |
| La Crosse, WI | $100,990 | 90 | $110,048 | 16% |
| Deltona, FL | $100,950 | 90 | $101,593 | 21% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $100,920 | 290 | $108,599 | 15% |
| Omaha, NE | $100,830 | 1,200 | $109,704 | 17% |
| Reading, PA | $100,340 | 190 | $103,379 | 19% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $100,300 | 770 | $102,409 | 23% |
| College Station, TX | $100,280 | 110 | $110,257 | 18% |
| Ogden, UT | $100,190 | 310 | $99,842 | 20% |
| Louisville, KY | $99,980 | 650 | $107,420 | 16% |
| Kansas City, MO | $99,870 | 1,260 | $107,917 | 18% |
| Salinas, CA | $99,850 | 90 | $91,570 | 33% |
| Akron, OH | $99,780 | 270 | $106,865 | 16% |
| Janesville, WI | $99,630 | 70 | $106,325 | 16% |
| St. Louis, MO | $99,600 | 2,640 | $104,745 | 17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $99,560 | 150 | $109,852 | 15% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $99,410 | 180 | $111,743 | 15% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $99,410 | 70 | $107,127 | 14% |
| Duluth, MN | $99,400 | 50 | $111,977 | 16% |
| Green Bay, WI | $99,340 | 240 | $106,719 | 14% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $99,110 | 1,880 | $103,568 | 19% |
| Albany, NY | $98,940 | 830 | $99,371 | 21% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $98,930 | 1,180 | $98,718 | 21% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $98,750 | 360 | $103,353 | 18% |
| Anchorage, AK | $98,630 | 120 | $93,559 | 23% |
| Killeen, TX | $98,620 | 100 | $108,217 | 16% |
| Kingsport, TN | $98,470 | 90 | $113,908 | 16% |
| Shreveport, LA | $98,400 | 40 | $116,084 | 16% |
| New Orleans, LA | $98,390 | 200 | $106,256 | 19% |
| Jackson, MS | $98,290 | 110 | $110,379 | 18% |
| Lafayette, LA | $98,130 | 50 | $112,523 | 17% |
| St. George, UT | $98,130 | 60 | $100,831 | 23% |
| Beaumont, TX | $97,980 | 90 | $108,811 | 16% |
| Boise, ID | $97,950 | 600 | $99,552 | 24% |
| Reno, NV | $97,940 | 330 | $96,957 | 25% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $97,930 | 70 | $99,062 | 25% |
| Visalia, CA | $97,870 | 40 | $98,042 | 21% |
| Portland, ME | $97,840 | 620 | $96,055 | 28% |
| Asheville, NC | $97,690 | 130 | $101,227 | 21% |
| Yuma, AZ | $97,580 | 50 | $105,257 | 18% |
| York, PA | $97,510 | 130 | $101,573 | 17% |
| Albany, GA | $97,350 | 50 | $111,043 | 13% |
| Billings, MT | $97,280 | 50 | $104,014 | 17% |
| Savannah, GA | $97,200 | 160 | $102,094 | 22% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $97,190 | 50 | $103,206 | 20% |
| Redding, CA | $96,960 | 60 | $96,301 | 20% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $96,880 | 850 | $101,396 | 20% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $96,760 | 500 | $98,084 | 18% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $96,670 | 2,270 | $102,112 | 18% |
| Joplin, MO | $96,650 | 60 | $112,753 | 15% |
| Burlington, NC | $96,300 | 80 | $103,331 | 17% |
| Monroe, MI | $96,140 | 40 | $102,832 | 16% |
| Waco, TX | $95,730 | 100 | $103,436 | 18% |
| Macon, GA | $95,550 | 80 | $107,932 | 15% |
| El Paso, TX | $95,430 | 320 | $106,137 | 19% |
| Niles, MI | $95,350 | 50 | $103,226 | 18% |
| Hickory, NC | $95,290 | 110 | $107,689 | 20% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $95,190 | 40 | $94,973 | 29% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $95,080 | 50 | $94,772 | 27% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $94,950 | 30 | $105,252 | 19% |
| Topeka, KS | $94,780 | 40 | $106,710 | 16% |
| Columbus, IN | $94,700 | 40 | $101,825 | 17% |
| Wichita, KS | $94,680 | 70 | $106,447 | 15% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $94,640 | 40 | $94,411 | – |
| Dayton, OH | $94,620 | 310 | $102,078 | 17% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $94,620 | 160 | $100,746 | 19% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $94,470 | 270 | $102,050 | 16% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $94,330 | 170 | $103,601 | 19% |
| Birmingham, AL | $94,240 | 490 | $102,833 | 18% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $93,930 | 60 | $95,830 | 25% |
| Ocala, FL | $93,760 | 40 | $98,452 | 20% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $93,330 | 30 | $101,327 | 20% |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,090 | 160 | $96,544 | 22% |
| Rockford, IL | $92,990 | 100 | $100,907 | 17% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $92,880 | 50 | $105,880 | 22% |
| Augusta, GA | $92,800 | 220 | $100,976 | 19% |
| Rochester, NY | $92,800 | 1,190 | $95,636 | 20% |
| Knoxville, TN | $92,640 | 320 | $100,077 | 22% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $92,200 | 200 | $91,390 | 24% |
| Rome, GA | $92,130 | 30 | $102,184 | 17% |
| Fargo, ND | $92,050 | 100 | $101,297 | 14% |
| Springfield, IL | $92,000 | 100 | $99,197 | 16% |
| Champaign, IL | $91,760 | 140 | $98,982 | 18% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $91,740 | 100 | $97,969 | 23% |
| McAllen, TX | $91,630 | 130 | $106,677 | 15% |
| Greenville, SC | $91,490 | 660 | $98,102 | 21% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $91,340 | 200 | $99,864 | 20% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $91,240 | 820 | $100,920 | 18% |
| Altoona, PA | $91,170 | 50 | $101,858 | 13% |
| Huntington, WV | $91,130 | 50 | $103,063 | 14% |
| Lancaster, PA | $90,960 | 190 | $92,574 | 21% |
| Missoula, MT | $90,850 | 30 | $94,199 | 21% |
| Sioux City, IA | $90,030 | 40 | $104,136 | 17% |
| Lubbock, TX | $89,490 | 90 | $97,999 | 18% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $89,070 | 60 | $96,074 | 22% |
| Columbia, SC | $88,260 | 590 | $94,232 | 21% |
| Canton, OH | $88,110 | 60 | $98,550 | 16% |
| Lincoln, NE | $87,890 | 450 | $95,970 | 17% |
| Panama City, FL | $87,750 | 50 | $90,189 | 24% |
| Montgomery, AL | $87,640 | 80 | $97,723 | 19% |
| Lansing, MI | $87,160 | 490 | $91,756 | 18% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $87,060 | 110 | $92,825 | 21% |
| Tulsa, OK | $86,310 | 600 | $96,745 | 19% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $86,060 | 40 | $90,932 | 19% |
| Saginaw, MI | $85,460 | 80 | $94,025 | 15% |
| Scranton, PA | $84,750 | 200 | $90,587 | 19% |
| Gainesville, GA | $84,670 | 70 | $87,500 | 24% |
| Midland, MI | $84,520 | 70 | $91,949 | 20% |
| Lexington, KY | $84,460 | 230 | $90,926 | 23% |
| Mobile, AL | $83,910 | 100 | $95,246 | 18% |
| Tucson, AZ | $83,650 | 360 | $86,330 | 21% |
| Abilene, TX | $83,600 | 40 | $92,515 | 29% |
| Crestview, FL | $83,340 | 160 | $85,890 | 28% |
| Evansville, IN | $83,140 | 140 | $90,836 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $83,020 | 50 | $87,312 | 25% |
| Muncie, IN | $82,160 | 30 | $93,207 | 15% |
| Waterloo, IA | $82,050 | 70 | $94,249 | 15% |
| Toledo, OH | $82,000 | 150 | $89,662 | 18% |
| State College, PA | $81,840 | 90 | $84,579 | 29% |
| Lewiston, ME | $81,570 | 70 | $86,102 | 23% |
| South Bend, IN | $81,570 | 130 | $87,844 | 19% |
| Elkhart, IN | $81,420 | 100 | $90,141 | 17% |
| Springfield, MO | $81,310 | 190 | $91,788 | 18% |
| Lewiston, ID | $81,250 | 40 | $89,129 | 22% |
| Columbia, MO | $80,980 | 190 | $90,543 | 22% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $80,830 | 150 | $85,228 | 19% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $80,220 | 120 | $91,185 | 15% |
| Florence, SC | $80,050 | 110 | $92,251 | 23% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $79,990 | 50 | $81,411 | 28% |
| Logan, UT | $79,880 | 70 | $83,272 | 22% |
| Charleston, WV | $79,860 | 100 | $90,017 | 18% |
| Youngstown, OH | $79,720 | 50 | $91,219 | 16% |
| Flint, MI | $79,610 | 110 | $85,571 | 16% |
| Erie, PA | $79,560 | 140 | $87,477 | 17% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $79,560 | 40 | $83,843 | 26% |
| Muskegon, MI | $79,480 | 40 | $85,907 | 19% |
| Ames, IA | $79,430 | 100 | $89,418 | 18% |
| Pocatello, ID | $79,300 | 40 | $89,195 | 16% |
| Lafayette, IN | $79,280 | 70 | $84,855 | 22% |
| Clarksville, TN | $79,200 | 50 | $87,084 | 20% |
| Utica, NY | $79,100 | 150 | $85,349 | 22% |
| Morgantown, WV | $78,950 | 40 | $84,599 | 21% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $78,760 | 770 | $86,759 | 21% |
| Columbus, GA | $78,620 | 140 | $88,044 | 21% |
| Laredo, TX | $78,100 | 50 | $89,816 | 17% |
| Traverse City, MI | $77,420 | 60 | $82,916 | 29% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $77,220 | 50 | $87,953 | 15% |
| Bismarck, ND | $76,960 | 50 | $84,549 | 20% |
| Athens, GA | $76,090 | 30 | $81,517 | 28% |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,790 | 90 | $85,643 | 17% |
| Ithaca, NY | $74,170 | 140 | $71,789 | 32% |
| Gulfport, MS | $73,360 | 40 | $81,506 | 23% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $72,930 | 40 | $83,222 | 21% |
| Iowa City, IA | $72,120 | 170 | $78,812 | 29% |
| Daphne, AL | $71,240 | 30 | $75,235 | 29% |
| Williamsport, PA | $70,190 | 40 | $76,004 | 19% |
| Johnson City, TN | $69,330 | 30 | $78,849 | 26% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $65,620 | 40 | $72,766 | 22% |
| Waterbury, CT | $59,160 | 170 | $59,292 | – |
What the median data scientist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $120,230 |
| Month | $10,019 |
| Every two weeks | $4,624 |
| Week | $2,312 |
| Hour | $57.80 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a data scientist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +34.6% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 24,800 |
| Self-employed | 1.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| Web developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about data scientist pay
How much does a data scientist make an hour?
The median is $57.80 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32.33 and the top 10% over $95.74.
How much does a data scientist make a month?
About $10,019 a month before taxes at the median salary of $120,230, or $4,624 every two weeks.
What state pays data scientists the most?
Washington, with a median of $163,350. California ($141,590), Maryland ($136,370), New Jersey ($135,280) and Massachusetts ($131,750) follow.
Where do data scientists make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $163,350 is worth $152,645 at typical US prices. Minnesota, Maryland and Vermont come next.
How much do entry-level data scientists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of data scientists earn under $67,240 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $85,660, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a data scientist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-2051 (Data Scientists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.