Technology Columbus, OH Pop. 905,748

Data Scientist Salary in Columbus, Ohio

The median data scientist salary in Columbus, OH is $102,619 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 5.6% above the Ohio state average.

City Median
$102,619
vs State Avg
+$5,401
vs National
$-5,401
Cost of Living
95%

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

Columbus offers a median data scientist salary of $102,619, which is $5,401 above the Ohio state average of $97,218. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbus's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for data scientists in Columbus spans from $58,330 at the 10th percentile to $169,290 at the 90th percentile — a $110,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,400, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,750. As a major metro area with a population of 905,748, Columbus typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level data scientist earns around $68,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$106,400
$-5,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,750
$-8,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, OH

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $58,330
25th Percentile $79,990
Median (50th) $102,619
75th Percentile $133,950
90th Percentile $169,290

Data Scientist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Cincinnati, OH
$97,218
Pop. 309,317
Cleveland, OH
$92,897
Pop. 372,624
Akron, OH
$90,737
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$88,576
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Data Scientist in Columbus

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Columbus

Browse open data scientist positions in Columbus, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Columbus

How much does a Data Scientist make in Columbus, OH? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Columbus, Ohio is $102,619 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $58,330 (10th percentile) to $169,290 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $102,619, a data scientist in Columbus earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Ohio state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Columbus's median data scientist salary of $102,619 is 5.6% above the Ohio state average of $97,218. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, OH? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $102,619 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Columbus? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Columbus 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.