Technology Memphis, TN Pop. 633,104

Data Scientist Salary in Memphis, Tennessee

The median data scientist salary in Memphis, TN is $92,897 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 3.4% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$92,897
vs State Avg
$-3,241
vs National
$-15,123
Cost of Living
86%

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

Memphis offers a median data scientist salary of $92,897, which is $3,241 below the Tennessee state average of $96,138. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Memphis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Memphis's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $92,897 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $108,020 in an average-cost city. This makes Memphis an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Memphis spans from $52,804 at the 10th percentile to $153,252 at the 90th percentile — a $100,448 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,920, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $141,900. As a major metro area with a population of 633,104, Memphis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Memphis by Experience

In Memphis, an entry-level data scientist earns around $61,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $141,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,920
$-10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,320
$-15,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$141,900
$-23,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Memphis, TN

Percentile Memphis
10th Percentile $52,804
25th Percentile $72,412
Median (50th) $92,897
75th Percentile $121,260
90th Percentile $153,252

Data Scientist Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$108,020
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$99,378
Pop. 152,769
Knoxville, TN
$95,058
Pop. 190,740
Chattanooga, TN
$95,058
Pop. 181,099

How to Become a Data Scientist in Memphis

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Memphis

Browse open data scientist positions in Memphis, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Memphis

How much does a Data Scientist make in Memphis, TN? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $92,897 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $52,804 (10th percentile) to $153,252 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Memphis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $92,897, a data scientist in Memphis earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Memphis compare to the Tennessee state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Memphis's median data scientist salary of $92,897 is 3.4% below the Tennessee state average of $96,138. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Memphis, TN? ▼
Memphis has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $92,897 in Memphis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Memphis? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Memphis 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.