Data Scientist Salary
Data Scientist - View salary data across all locations
Average Salary
$108,258
across all locations
Highest Paying
$148,412
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Data Scientists
See which cities pay Data Scientists the most, from $148,412 down to the #10 spot.
Data Scientist Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $148,412 | $71.35 | 149 |
| San Francisco, CA | $141,839 | $68.19 | 212 |
| New York, NY | $133,268 | $64.07 | 252 |
| Seattle, WA | $129,167 | $62.10 | 169 |
| Washington, DC | $127,854 | $61.47 | 197 |
| Boston, MA | $124,789 | $59.99 | 164 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $118,555 | $57.00 | 238 |
| San Diego, CA | $117,875 | $56.67 | 130 |
| Denver, CO | $113,720 | $54.67 | 140 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $113,054 | $54.35 | 153 |
| Baltimore, MD | $112,986 | $54.32 | 124 |
| Sacramento, CA | $112,946 | $54.30 | 158 |
| Austin, TX | $112,612 | $54.14 | 134 |
| Chicago, IL | $112,576 | $54.12 | 167 |
| Portland, OR | $112,121 | $53.90 | 133 |
| Dallas, TX | $111,031 | $53.38 | 179 |
| Raleigh, NC | $110,041 | $52.90 | 137 |
| Miami, FL | $109,186 | $52.49 | 139 |
| Hartford, CT | $109,027 | $52.42 | 126 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $108,638 | $52.23 | 158 |
| Riverside, CA | $108,459 | $52.14 | 139 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $108,115 | $51.98 | 147 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $107,880 | $51.87 | 150 |
| Atlanta, GA | $107,819 | $51.84 | 144 |
| Houston, TX | $107,450 | $51.66 | 161 |
| Charlotte, NC | $107,338 | $51.60 | 155 |
| Nashville, TN | $105,986 | $50.95 | 119 |
| Providence, RI | $105,297 | $50.62 | 139 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $104,507 | $50.24 | 133 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $103,430 | $49.73 | 146 |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,363 | $49.69 | 124 |
| Detroit, MI | $103,117 | $49.58 | 127 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $102,371 | $49.22 | 129 |
| Richmond, VA | $102,269 | $49.17 | 146 |
| Tampa, FL | $101,971 | $49.02 | 143 |
| Columbus, OH | $101,855 | $48.97 | 136 |
| St. Louis, MO | $100,593 | $48.36 | 127 |
| Orlando, FL | $99,987 | $48.07 | 154 |
| Cleveland, OH | $99,179 | $47.68 | 148 |
| Louisville, KY | $99,060 | $47.63 | 137 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $98,896 | $47.55 | 148 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $98,451 | $47.33 | 148 |
| San Antonio, TX | $98,421 | $47.32 | 127 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $98,085 | $47.16 | 133 |
| New Orleans, LA | $96,527 | $46.41 | 141 |
| Tucson, AZ | $95,245 | $45.79 | 149 |
| Memphis, TN | $93,545 | $44.97 | 126 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $93,060 | $44.74 | 134 |
| Birmingham, AL | $91,208 | $43.85 | 159 |
| El Paso, TX | $89,701 | $43.13 | 124 |
About Data Scientist Careers
Data scientists analyze and interpret complex data to help organizations make informed decisions. They combine expertise in statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to extract insights from large datasets. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven strategies, data scientists have become critical to competitive advantage across all industries.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average data scientist salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $108,258 per year. Salaries range from $89,701 in El Paso, TX to $148,412 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 7,452 professionals employed as data scientists across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Data Scientist Do?
Data Scientists perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Collect, process, and clean large datasets from multiple sources
- Develop machine learning models and algorithms
- Analyze data to identify patterns, trends, and insights
- Create data visualizations and reports for stakeholders
- Collaborate with business teams to understand problems and requirements
- Build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure
- Present findings and recommendations to leadership
Education Requirements
Data scientists typically hold a master's degree or PhD in a quantitative field such as statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a related discipline. However, many professionals enter the field with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience or bootcamp training. Continuous learning is essential due to rapidly evolving technologies.
Key Skills for Data Scientists
Factors That Affect Data Scientist Salary
Several factors influence how much a data scientist earns:
Career Path & Advancement
Data scientists typically start as junior or associate data scientists before advancing to senior and lead roles. Career progression can lead to positions like principal data scientist, director of data science, or chief data officer. Some data scientists transition to research roles, product management, or entrepreneurship.
Job Outlook
Data science is one of the fastest-growing careers, with demand expected to continue growing rapidly. The proliferation of data across industries, advancement of AI technologies, and increasing focus on data-driven decision making create strong opportunities for skilled data scientists.
Work Environment
Data scientists primarily work in office settings or remotely, spending much of their time working with computers and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The work is intellectually demanding and often involves solving complex, ambiguous problems. Tech companies, consulting firms, and research institutions are common employers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Data Scientist Salaries
What is the average data scientist salary in the United States?
The average data scientist salary across U.S. metropolitan areas is approximately $108,258 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by location, with some areas paying up to $148,412.
Where do data scientists earn the most money?
San Jose, CA offers the highest average salary for data scientists at $148,412 per year. Other high-paying areas can be found on our top paying cities for data scientists page.
How can I increase my salary as a data scientist?
To increase your earning potential as a data scientist, consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, relocating to higher-paying metropolitan areas, negotiating salary during job transitions, and continuously developing your skills. Experience and demonstrated results also significantly impact earning potential.
What is the hourly rate for data scientists?
The average hourly rate for data scientists is approximately $52.05 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). Hourly rates range from $43.13 to $71.35 depending on location.