Share:
2024 Data

Data Scientist Salary in Nashville, TN: $105,986 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $50.95/hour | $67,788 - $157,870 range

Median Annual Salary

$105,986

1.9% vs national

Hourly Rate

$50.95

/hour

Jobs in Area

119

employed

Salary Range$67,788 - $157,870
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Nashville, TN

$105,986

San Jose, CA

$148,412

$42,426 more (+40.0%)

in San Jose, CA

Data Scientist Salary Range in Nashville, TN

Annual Salary Range

$106k

$68k

10th percentile

$87k

25th

$128k

75th

$158k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$67,788$32.59
25th Percentile$86,629$41.65
Median (50th Percentile)$105,986$50.95
75th Percentile$128,149$61.61
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$157,870$75.90
Average (Mean)$115,506$55.53

Data Scientist Market Insights for Nashville, TN

Compensation Overview

Data Scientist compensation in Nashville, TN aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $67,788 to $157,870 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Nashville, TN offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Tennessee economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Data Scientist profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 133% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 49% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-2%

vs National Avg

-4%

vs State Avg

133%

Salary Range

119

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Data Scientist salary growth in Nashville, TN based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$67,788

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$86,629

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$105,986

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$128,149

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$157,870

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Data Scientist Job Market in Nashville, TN

Where Data Scientists Work

Data Scientists work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Nashville, TN compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Nashville, TN

  • Research major employers in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Tennessee
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Nashville, TN market rate of $105,986
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $67,788 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median data scientist salary in Nashville, TN is $105,986 per year ($50.95/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $67,788 for entry-level positions to $157,870 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level data scientists in Nashville, TN typically start at around $67,788 per year ($32.59/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $105,986 within 3-5 years.

Data Scientists in Nashville, TN earn a median hourly wage of $50.95 per hour. Hourly rates range from $32.59/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $75.90/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $67,788 and $157,870.

The median data scientist salary of $105,986 in Nashville, TN is slightly below the national median of $108,020 (1.9% lower). The cost of living is also 1% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of data scientists in the area earn more and half earn less.

Data Scientists in Nashville, TN earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $105,986 is 1.9% lower than the national median of $108,020. The cost of living is also 1% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $107,382.

The top 10% of data scientists in Nashville, TN earn $157,870 or more per year ($75.90/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $128,149, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost data scientist salary in Nashville, TN include: Strong programming skills (Python, R, SQL), Statistical analysis and machine learning expertise, Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI), Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop). Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $105,986, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($128,149) or higher. Education level (PhD commands premium)

Nashville, TN has a specialized job market for data scientists, with approximately 119 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $105,986 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 1% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your data scientist salary to these Nashville, TN benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $67,788, 25th percentile: $86,629, 50th percentile (median): $105,986, 75th percentile: $128,149, 90th percentile (top earners): $157,870. If you earn more than $105,986, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $105,986 median base salary, data scientists in Nashville, TN typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced data scientists with 5-10 years in Nashville, TN typically earn $128,149 (75th percentile) to $157,870 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $157,870. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $105,986.

Data Scientists in Nashville, TN can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($67,788) to median ($105,986) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($157,870) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $90,082 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

15-2051

SOC Classification

Sample Size

119

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

Salary Calculator

Data Scientist in Nashville, TN

$/yr

Enter your salary above to see how you compare

Median: $105,986/yr

How Nashville, TN Compares

vs National Average

$108,020

-1.9%

vs Tennessee Average

$110,099

-3.7%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$107,382

+1.3%

Cost of living in Nashville, TN is 1.3% below the national average.

Highest Paying Cities

See which cities pay Data Scientists the most.

View Top 10 Cities

Data Scientist Jobs in Nashville, TN

Find open positions and apply today.

View Jobs on Indeed

Affiliate link