Technology Cambridge, MA Pop. 118,403

Data Scientist Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The median data scientist salary in Cambridge, MA is $183,634 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median and 17.2% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$183,634
vs State Avg
+$27,005
vs National
+$75,614
Cost of Living
160%

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

Cambridge offers a median data scientist salary of $183,634, which is $27,005 above the Massachusetts state average of $156,629. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Cambridge pays above average for this role.

However, Cambridge's cost of living index is 160%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $183,634 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $114,771. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Cambridge should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Cambridge spans from $104,380 at the 10th percentile to $302,940 at the 90th percentile — a $198,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $122,400, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $280,500. With a population of 118,403, Cambridge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Cambridge by Experience

In Cambridge, an entry-level data scientist earns around $122,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $280,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$122,400
+$50,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$190,400
+$78,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$280,500
+$115,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cambridge, MA

Percentile Cambridge
10th Percentile $104,380
25th Percentile $143,140
Median (50th) $183,634
75th Percentile $239,700
90th Percentile $302,940

Data Scientist Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Boston, MA
$174,992
Pop. 675,647
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 Cambridge

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Cambridge

Browse open data scientist positions in Cambridge, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Cambridge

How much does a Data Scientist make in Cambridge, MA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $183,634 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $104,380 (10th percentile) to $302,940 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Cambridge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $183,634, a data scientist in Cambridge earns approximately $88 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cambridge compare to the Massachusetts state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Cambridge's median data scientist salary of $183,634 is 17.2% above the Massachusetts state average of $156,629. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA? ▼
Cambridge has a cost of living index of 160% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $183,634 in Cambridge has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Cambridge? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Cambridge 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.