Technology Indianapolis, IN Pop. 887,642

Data Scientist Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

The median data scientist salary in Indianapolis, IN is $98,298 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 3.4% above the Indiana state average.

City Median
$98,298
vs State Avg
+$3,240
vs National
$-9,722
Cost of Living
93%

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

Indianapolis offers a median data scientist salary of $98,298, which is $3,240 above the Indiana state average of $95,058. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Indianapolis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Indianapolis's cost of living is 93% 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 Indianapolis spans from $55,874 at the 10th percentile to $162,162 at the 90th percentile — a $106,288 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,520, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $150,150. As a major metro area with a population of 887,642, Indianapolis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Indianapolis by Experience

In Indianapolis, an entry-level data scientist earns around $65,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $150,150 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,520
$-6,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,920
$-10,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$150,150
$-14,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Indianapolis, IN

Percentile Indianapolis
10th Percentile $55,874
25th Percentile $76,622
Median (50th) $98,298
75th Percentile $128,310
90th Percentile $162,162

Data Scientist Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$111,261
Pop. 99,757
Fort Wayne, IN
$89,657
Pop. 263,886
Evansville, IN
$88,576
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$87,496
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Data Scientist in Indianapolis

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Indianapolis

Browse open data scientist positions in Indianapolis, IN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Indianapolis

How much does a Data Scientist make in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $98,298 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $55,874 (10th percentile) to $162,162 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Indianapolis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $98,298, a data scientist in Indianapolis earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Indianapolis compare to the Indiana state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Indianapolis's median data scientist salary of $98,298 is 3.4% above the Indiana state average of $95,058. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $98,298 in Indianapolis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Indianapolis? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Indianapolis 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.