Technology San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Data Scientist Salary in San Jose, California

The median data scientist salary in San Jose, CA is $197,677 per year, which is 83.0% above the national median and 19.6% above the California state average.

City Median
$197,677
vs State Avg
+$32,406
vs National
+$89,657
Cost of Living
168%

Data Scientist Pay in San Jose: What to Expect (2026)

San Jose offers a median data scientist salary of $197,677, which is $32,406 above the California state average of $165,271. Compared to the national median of $108,020, San Jose pays above average for this role.

However, San Jose's cost of living index is 168%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $197,677 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $117,665. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Jose should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in San Jose spans from $112,362 at the 10th percentile to $326,106 at the 90th percentile — a $213,744 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $131,760, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $301,950. As a major metro area with a population of 1,013,240, San Jose typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level data scientist earns around $131,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $301,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$131,760
+$59,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$204,960
+$92,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$301,950
+$136,950 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $112,362
25th Percentile $154,086
Median (50th) $197,677
75th Percentile $258,030
90th Percentile $326,106

Data Scientist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$212,799
Pop. 873,965
Los Angeles, CA
$173,912
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$169,591
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$143,667
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Data Scientist in San Jose

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. San Jose 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 San Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in San Jose

Browse open data scientist positions in San Jose, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in San Jose

How much does a Data Scientist make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in San Jose, California is $197,677 per year, which is 83.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $112,362 (10th percentile) to $326,106 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $197,677, a data scientist in San Jose earns approximately $95 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for data scientist pay? ▼
San Jose's median data scientist salary of $197,677 is 19.6% above the California state average of $165,271. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $197,677 in San Jose has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in San Jose? ▼
Most data scientist positions in San Jose 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.