Technology Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Data Scientist Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median data scientist salary in Brookings, SD is $87,496 per year, which is 19% below the national median and 2.4% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$87,496
vs State Avg
$-2,161
vs National
$-20,524
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median data scientist salary of $87,496, which is $2,161 below the South Dakota state average of $89,657. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $87,496 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $101,740 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Brookings spans from $49,734 at the 10th percentile to $144,342 at the 90th percentile — a $94,608 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,320, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,650. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Data Scientist Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level data scientist earns around $58,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,320
$-13,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,720
$-21,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,650
$-31,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $49,734
25th Percentile $68,202
Median (50th) $87,496
75th Percentile $114,210
90th Percentile $144,342

Data Scientist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$93,977
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$91,817
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$85,336
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$83,175
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Data Scientist in Brookings

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Brookings

Browse open data scientist positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Brookings

How much does a Data Scientist make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $87,496 per year, which is 19% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $49,734 (10th percentile) to $144,342 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,496, a data scientist in Brookings earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Brookings's median data scientist salary of $87,496 is 2.4% below the South Dakota state average of $89,657. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $87,496 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Brookings? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Brookings 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.