Technology Tucson, AZ Pop. 542,629

Data Scientist Salary in Tucson, Arizona

The median data scientist salary in Tucson, AZ is $102,619 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 4% below the Arizona state average.

City Median
$102,619
vs State Avg
$-4,321
vs National
$-5,401
Cost of Living
93%

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

Tucson offers a median data scientist salary of $102,619, which is $4,321 below the Arizona state average of $106,940. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Tucson pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Tucson's cost of living is 93% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for data scientists in Tucson spans from $58,330 at the 10th percentile to $169,290 at the 90th percentile — a $110,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,400, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,750. As a major metro area with a population of 542,629, Tucson typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Tucson by Experience

In Tucson, an entry-level data scientist earns around $68,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$106,400
$-5,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,750
$-8,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tucson, AZ

Percentile Tucson
10th Percentile $58,330
25th Percentile $79,990
Median (50th) $102,619
75th Percentile $133,950
90th Percentile $169,290

Data Scientist Salary in Other Arizona Cities

Scottsdale, AZ
$123,143
Pop. 241,361
Chandler, AZ
$112,341
Pop. 275,987
Phoenix, AZ
$110,180
Pop. 1,608,139
Mesa, AZ
$106,940
Pop. 504,258

How to Become a Data Scientist in Tucson

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Tucson and the surrounding Arizona 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 Tucson may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Tucson

Browse open data scientist positions in Tucson, AZ:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Tucson

How much does a Data Scientist make in Tucson, AZ? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Tucson, Arizona is $102,619 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $58,330 (10th percentile) to $169,290 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Tucson? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $102,619, a data scientist in Tucson earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tucson compare to the Arizona state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Tucson's median data scientist salary of $102,619 is 4% below the Arizona state average of $106,940. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tucson, AZ? ▼
Tucson has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $102,619 in Tucson has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Tucson? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Tucson 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.