Data Scientist Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Develop and implement complex mathematical models, machine learning algorithms, and predictive data pipelines.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington WA | $135,543 | $65.17/hr | $112,671 | 8,900 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 120.3 |
| #2 | District of Columbia DC | $132,200 | $63.56/hr | $83,196 | 9,260 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #3 | Vermont VT | $131,820 | $63.38/hr | $90,535 | 100 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 145.6 |
| #4 | Oregon OR | $121,550 | $58.44/hr | $97,552 | 2,020 | Corvallis, OR | 124.6 |
| #5 | Maryland MD | $120,176 | $57.78/hr | $109,550 | 1,230 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 109.7 |
| #6 | Colorado CO | $118,926 | $57.18/hr | $98,612 | 5,990 | Boulder, CO | 120.6 |
| #7 | Massachusetts MA | $117,421 | $56.45/hr | $89,771 | 8,880 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #8 | California CA | $116,973 | $56.24/hr | $75,760 | 34,720 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 154.4 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Data Scientist: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Technology Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Technology occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Data Scientist. Official 2026 economic data for Data Scientist compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Data Scientist range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Data Scientist: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Data Scientist is $120,230 per year ($57.80/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 282 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $71,240 in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL to $185,080 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Data Scientist
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $185,080 | +53.9% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $170,110 | +41.5% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $167,840 | +39.6% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $164,740 | +37.0% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $156,830 | +30.4% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $149,800 | +24.6% |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $146,980 | +22.2% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $141,760 | +17.9% |
| Corvallis, OR | $140,190 | +16.6% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $135,980 | +13.1% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $135,320 | +12.6% |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $134,320 | +11.7% |