Technology Boston, MA Pop. 675,647

Data Scientist Salary in Boston, Massachusetts

The median data scientist salary in Boston, MA is $174,992 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median and 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$174,992
vs State Avg
+$18,363
vs National
+$66,972
Cost of Living
152%

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

Boston offers a median data scientist salary of $174,992, which is $18,363 above the Massachusetts state average of $156,629. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Boston pays above average for this role.

However, Boston's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $174,992 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $115,126. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boston should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Boston spans from $99,468 at the 10th percentile to $288,684 at the 90th percentile — a $189,216 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $116,640, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $267,300. As a major metro area with a population of 675,647, Boston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Boston by Experience

In Boston, an entry-level data scientist earns around $116,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $267,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$116,640
+$44,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$181,440
+$69,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$267,300
+$102,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boston, MA

Percentile Boston
10th Percentile $99,468
25th Percentile $136,404
Median (50th) $174,992
75th Percentile $228,420
90th Percentile $288,684

Data Scientist Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Cambridge, MA
$183,634
Pop. 118,403
Worcester, MA
$129,624
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$124,223
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$116,662
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Data Scientist in Boston

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Boston

Browse open data scientist positions in Boston, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Boston

How much does a Data Scientist make in Boston, MA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $174,992 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $99,468 (10th percentile) to $288,684 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Boston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $174,992, a data scientist in Boston earns approximately $84 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boston compare to the Massachusetts state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Boston's median data scientist salary of $174,992 is 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average of $156,629. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Boston, MA? ▼
Boston has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $174,992 in Boston has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Boston? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Boston 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.