Technology

Data Scientist Salary

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and drive data-informed business decisions using statistical methods and machine learning.

Median Salary
$108,020
Mean Salary
$113,380
Total Employed
192,700
Job Growth
+35%

Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level data scientists earn around $72,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $112,000. Senior-level data scientists can earn $165,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$165,000

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for data scientists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $61,400, while the top 10% earn $178,200.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $61,400
25th Percentile $84,200
50th Percentile (Median) $108,020
75th Percentile $141,000
90th Percentile $178,200

Data Scientist Salary by State

Data Scientist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $178,233, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $81,015.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $178,233 Details →
#2 California $165,271 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $156,629 Details →
#4 New York $142,586 Details →
#5 Washington $137,185 Details →
#6 Alaska $130,704 Details →
#7 New Jersey $130,704 Details →
#8 Maryland $125,303 Details →
#9 Oregon $125,303 Details →
#10 Connecticut $124,223 Details →
#11 Colorado $122,063 Details →
#12 Virginia $120,982 Details →
#13 New Hampshire $115,581 Details →
#14 Rhode Island $114,501 Details →
#15 Utah $110,180 Details →
#16 Delaware $109,100 Details →
#17 Florida $108,020 Details →
#18 Illinois $108,020 Details →
#19 Minnesota $108,020 Details →
#20 Arizona $106,940 Details →
#21 Nevada $106,940 Details →
#22 Pennsylvania $105,860 Details →
#23 Texas $105,860 Details →
#24 Vermont $105,860 Details →
#25 Georgia $103,699 Details →
#26 North Carolina $103,699 Details →
#27 Maine $102,619 Details →
#28 Idaho $101,539 Details →
#29 New Mexico $100,459 Details →
#30 Wisconsin $99,378 Details →
#31 Montana $98,298 Details →
#32 Michigan $97,218 Details →
#33 Ohio $97,218 Details →
#34 Tennessee $96,138 Details →
#35 Indiana $95,058 Details →
#36 Missouri $95,058 Details →
#37 Nebraska $95,058 Details →
#38 Louisiana $93,977 Details →
#39 South Carolina $93,977 Details →
#40 Iowa $92,897 Details →
#41 North Dakota $92,897 Details →
#42 Wyoming $92,897 Details →
#43 Kansas $90,737 Details →
#44 Kentucky $89,657 Details →
#45 South Dakota $89,657 Details →
#46 Alabama $88,576 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $88,576 Details →
#48 Arkansas $84,256 Details →
#49 West Virginia $82,095 Details →
#50 Mississippi $81,015 Details →

Key Responsibilities

  • Collect, clean, and preprocess large datasets for analysis
  • Build and validate machine learning models
  • Create data visualizations and dashboards for stakeholders
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to deploy models into production
  • Identify trends and patterns that drive strategic decisions

Top Skills

Python R SQL Machine Learning Statistics Data Visualization

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook

Much faster than average — projected 35% growth over the next decade