Data Scientist Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $97,218 (2026)

Data Scientist Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median data scientist salary of $97,218, which is $6,481 below the North Carolina state average of $103,699. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $97,218 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,044 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Winston-Salem spans from $55,260 at the 10th percentile to $160,380 at the 90th percentile — a $105,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,800, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $148,500. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level data scientist earns around $64,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $148,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$64,800

$-7,200 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$100,800

$-11,200 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$148,500

$-16,500 vs national

Percentile	Winston-Salem	NC State	National
10th Percentile	$55,260	$58,944	$61,400
25th Percentile	$75,780	$80,832	$84,200
Median (50th)	$97,218	$103,699	$108,020
75th Percentile	$126,900	$135,360	$141,000
90th Percentile	$160,380	$171,072	$178,200

Percentile

Winston-Salem

10th Percentile

$55,260

25th Percentile

$75,780

Median (50th)

$97,218

75th Percentile

$126,900

90th Percentile

$160,380

How to Become a Data Scientist in Winston-Salem

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Winston-Salem and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Data Scientist make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

The median data scientist salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $97,218 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $55,260 (10th percentile) to $160,380 (90th percentile).

How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $97,218, a data scientist in Winston-Salem earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for data scientist pay? ▼

Winston-Salem's median data scientist salary of $97,218 is 6.2% below the North Carolina state average of $103,699. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $97,218 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Winston-Salem? ▼

Most data scientist positions in Winston-Salem 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.

Data Scientist Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina