Technology Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Data Scientist Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median data scientist salary in Arlington, VA is $151,228 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median and 25.0% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$151,228
vs State Avg
+$30,246
vs National
+$43,208
Cost of Living
132%

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

Arlington offers a median data scientist salary of $151,228, which is $30,246 above the Virginia state average of $120,982. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $151,228 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $114,567. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Arlington spans from $85,960 at the 10th percentile to $249,480 at the 90th percentile — a $163,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $100,800, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $231,000. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level data scientist earns around $100,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $231,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$100,800
+$28,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$156,800
+$44,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$231,000
+$66,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $85,960
25th Percentile $117,880
Median (50th) $151,228
75th Percentile $197,400
90th Percentile $249,480

Data Scientist Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA
$118,822
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$116,662
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$114,501
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$112,341
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Data Scientist in Arlington

Education

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

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Arlington

Browse open data scientist positions in Arlington, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Arlington

How much does a Data Scientist make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Arlington, Virginia is $151,228 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $85,960 (10th percentile) to $249,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $151,228, a data scientist in Arlington earns approximately $73 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Arlington's median data scientist salary of $151,228 is 25.0% above the Virginia state average of $120,982. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $151,228 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Arlington? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Arlington 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.