Technology Tuscaloosa, AL Pop. 101,129

Data Scientist Salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The median data scientist salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is $89,657 per year, which is 17% below the national median and 1.2% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$89,657
vs State Avg
+$1,081
vs National
$-18,363
Cost of Living
88%

Data Scientist Pay in Tuscaloosa: What to Expect (2026)

Tuscaloosa offers a median data scientist salary of $89,657, which is $1,081 above the Alabama state average of $88,576. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Tuscaloosa pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Tuscaloosa's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $89,657 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $101,883 in an average-cost city. This makes Tuscaloosa an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Tuscaloosa spans from $50,962 at the 10th percentile to $147,906 at the 90th percentile — a $96,944 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,760, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,950. With a population of 101,129, Tuscaloosa is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Tuscaloosa by Experience

In Tuscaloosa, an entry-level data scientist earns around $59,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,760
$-12,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,960
$-19,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,950
$-28,050 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tuscaloosa, AL

Percentile Tuscaloosa
10th Percentile $50,962
25th Percentile $69,886
Median (50th) $89,657
75th Percentile $117,030
90th Percentile $147,906

Data Scientist Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$93,977
Pop. 216,963
Birmingham, AL
$91,817
Pop. 197,575
Montgomery, AL
$87,496
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$86,416
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Data Scientist in Tuscaloosa

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Tuscaloosa and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Tuscaloosa may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Tuscaloosa

Browse open data scientist positions in Tuscaloosa, AL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Tuscaloosa

How much does a Data Scientist make in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $89,657 per year, which is 17% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $50,962 (10th percentile) to $147,906 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,657, a data scientist in Tuscaloosa earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tuscaloosa compare to the Alabama state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Tuscaloosa's median data scientist salary of $89,657 is 1.2% above the Alabama state average of $88,576. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $89,657 in Tuscaloosa has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Tuscaloosa require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.