Technology Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

Data Scientist Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median data scientist salary in Columbus, GA is $96,138 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 7.3% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$96,138
vs State Avg
$-7,561
vs National
$-11,882
Cost of Living
86%

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

Columbus offers a median data scientist salary of $96,138, which is $7,561 below the Georgia state average of $103,699. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $96,138 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $111,788 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Columbus spans from $54,646 at the 10th percentile to $158,598 at the 90th percentile — a $103,952 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,080, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $146,850. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level data scientist earns around $64,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $146,850 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,080
$-7,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$99,680
$-12,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$146,850
$-18,150 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, GA

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $54,646
25th Percentile $74,938
Median (50th) $96,138
75th Percentile $125,490
90th Percentile $158,598

Data Scientist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$113,421
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$102,619
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$100,459
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$98,298
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a Data Scientist in Columbus

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Columbus

Browse open data scientist positions in Columbus, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Columbus

How much does a Data Scientist make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Columbus, Georgia is $96,138 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $54,646 (10th percentile) to $158,598 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $96,138, a data scientist in Columbus earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Columbus's median data scientist salary of $96,138 is 7.3% below the Georgia state average of $103,699. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $96,138 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Columbus? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Columbus 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.