Technology Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Data Scientist Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median data scientist salary in Columbia, MD is $133,945 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median and 6.9% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$133,945
vs State Avg
+$8,642
vs National
+$25,925
Cost of Living
118%

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

Columbia offers a median data scientist salary of $133,945, which is $8,642 above the Maryland state average of $125,303. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $133,945 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $113,513. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Columbia spans from $76,136 at the 10th percentile to $220,968 at the 90th percentile — a $144,832 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $89,280, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,600. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level data scientist earns around $89,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$89,280
+$17,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$138,880
+$26,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,600
+$39,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $76,136
25th Percentile $104,408
Median (50th) $133,945
75th Percentile $174,840
90th Percentile $220,968

Data Scientist Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$138,266
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$130,704
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$123,143
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$119,902
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Data Scientist in Columbia

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open data scientist positions in Columbia, MD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Data Scientist make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Columbia, Maryland is $133,945 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $76,136 (10th percentile) to $220,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $133,945, a data scientist in Columbia earns approximately $64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Columbia's median data scientist salary of $133,945 is 6.9% above the Maryland state average of $125,303. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $133,945 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Columbia? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Columbia 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.