Technology Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Data Scientist Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median data scientist salary in Fort Collins, CO is $123,143 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median and 0.9% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$123,143
vs State Avg
+$1,080
vs National
+$15,123
Cost of Living
106%

Data Scientist Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median data scientist salary of $123,143, which is $1,080 above the Colorado state average of $122,063. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% 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 Fort Collins spans from $69,996 at the 10th percentile to $203,148 at the 90th percentile — a $133,152 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $82,080, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $188,100. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level data scientist earns around $82,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $188,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,080
+$10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,680
+$15,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$188,100
+$23,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $69,996
25th Percentile $95,988
Median (50th) $123,143
75th Percentile $160,740
90th Percentile $203,148

Data Scientist Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$146,907
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$129,624
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$122,063
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$116,662
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Data Scientist in Fort Collins

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open data scientist positions in Fort Collins, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Data Scientist make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $123,143 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $69,996 (10th percentile) to $203,148 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $123,143, a data scientist in Fort Collins earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median data scientist salary of $123,143 is 0.9% above the Colorado state average of $122,063. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $123,143 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Fort Collins? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Fort Collins 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.