Technology Sacramento, CA Pop. 524,943

Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento, California

The median data scientist salary in Sacramento, CA is $143,667 per year, which is 33.0% above the national median and 13.1% below the California state average.

City Median
$143,667
vs State Avg
$-21,604
vs National
+$35,647
Cost of Living
118%

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

Sacramento offers a median data scientist salary of $143,667, which is $21,604 below the California state average of $165,271. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Sacramento pays above average for this role.

However, Sacramento's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $143,667 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $121,752. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Sacramento should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Sacramento spans from $81,662 at the 10th percentile to $237,006 at the 90th percentile — a $155,344 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $95,760, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $219,450. As a major metro area with a population of 524,943, Sacramento typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento by Experience

In Sacramento, an entry-level data scientist earns around $95,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $219,450 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$95,760
+$23,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$148,960
+$36,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$219,450
+$54,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Sacramento, CA

Percentile Sacramento
10th Percentile $81,662
25th Percentile $111,986
Median (50th) $143,667
75th Percentile $187,530
90th Percentile $237,006

Data Scientist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$212,799
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$197,677
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$173,912
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$169,591
Pop. 1,386,932

How to Become a Data Scientist in Sacramento

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Sacramento

Browse open data scientist positions in Sacramento, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento

How much does a Data Scientist make in Sacramento, CA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Sacramento, California is $143,667 per year, which is 33.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $81,662 (10th percentile) to $237,006 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Sacramento? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $143,667, a data scientist in Sacramento earns approximately $69 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Sacramento compare to the California state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Sacramento's median data scientist salary of $143,667 is 13.1% below the California state average of $165,271. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Sacramento, CA? ▼
Sacramento has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $143,667 in Sacramento has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Sacramento? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Sacramento 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.