Technology Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Data Scientist Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median data scientist salary in Lafayette, LA is $90,737 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 3.4% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$90,737
vs State Avg
$-3,240
vs National
$-17,283
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median data scientist salary of $90,737, which is $3,240 below the Louisiana state average of $93,977. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $90,737 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $103,110 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Lafayette spans from $51,576 at the 10th percentile to $149,688 at the 90th percentile — a $98,112 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,480, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $138,600. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level data scientist earns around $60,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $138,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,480
$-11,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$138,600
$-26,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $51,576
25th Percentile $70,728
Median (50th) $90,737
75th Percentile $118,440
90th Percentile $149,688

Data Scientist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$101,539
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$95,058
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$88,576
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$87,496
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Data Scientist in Lafayette

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open data scientist positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Data Scientist make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $90,737 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $51,576 (10th percentile) to $149,688 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $90,737, a data scientist in Lafayette earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Lafayette's median data scientist salary of $90,737 is 3.4% below the Louisiana state average of $93,977. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $90,737 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Lafayette? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Lafayette 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.