Technology Little Rock, AR Pop. 202,591

Data Scientist Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas

The median data scientist salary in Little Rock, AR is $87,496 per year, which is 19% below the national median and 3.8% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$87,496
vs State Avg
+$3,240
vs National
$-20,524
Cost of Living
87%

Data Scientist Pay in Little Rock: What to Expect (2026)

Little Rock offers a median data scientist salary of $87,496, which is $3,240 above the Arkansas state average of $84,256. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Little Rock pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Little Rock's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 87% of the national average. This means the $87,496 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $100,570 in an average-cost city. This makes Little Rock an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Little Rock spans from $49,734 at the 10th percentile to $144,342 at the 90th percentile — a $94,608 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,320, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,650. With a population of 202,591, Little Rock is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Little Rock by Experience

In Little Rock, an entry-level data scientist earns around $58,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,320
$-13,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,720
$-21,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,650
$-31,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Little Rock, AR

Percentile Little Rock
10th Percentile $49,734
25th Percentile $68,202
Median (50th) $87,496
75th Percentile $114,210
90th Percentile $144,342

Data Scientist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$88,576
Pop. 93,949
Springdale, AR
$84,256
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$82,095
Pop. 78,576
Fort Smith, AR
$79,935
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Data Scientist in Little Rock

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Little Rock

Browse open data scientist positions in Little Rock, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Little Rock

How much does a Data Scientist make in Little Rock, AR? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Little Rock, Arkansas is $87,496 per year, which is 19% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $49,734 (10th percentile) to $144,342 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Little Rock? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,496, a data scientist in Little Rock earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Little Rock compare to the Arkansas state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Little Rock's median data scientist salary of $87,496 is 3.8% above the Arkansas state average of $84,256. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Little Rock, AR? ▼
Little Rock has a cost of living index of 87% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $87,496 in Little Rock has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Little Rock? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Little Rock 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.