Builds statistical models and ML pipelines for product and business decisions.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Data Scientists. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $108,800 | $82,300 | $141,100 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $135,200 | $102,300 | $175,400 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $155,500 | $117,700 | $201,700 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $186,600 | $141,200 | $242,000 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $211,400 | $160,000 | $274,300 |
Top 10 states by median Data Scientist salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $241,000 | $183,200 | $313,300 | +55% |
| Washington | $220,800 | $167,800 | $287,000 | +42% |
| Washington DC | $217,700 | $165,400 | $283,000 | +40% |
| New York | $209,900 | $159,500 | $272,900 | +35% |
| Massachusetts | $202,100 | $153,600 | $262,800 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $195,900 | $148,900 | $254,700 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $188,100 | $143,000 | $244,600 | +21% |
| Maryland | $186,600 | $141,800 | $242,600 | +20% |
| Colorado | $181,900 | $138,300 | $236,500 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $177,300 | $134,700 | $230,400 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $132,200 | $100,400 | $171,800 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $130,600 | $99,300 | $169,800 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $130,600 | $99,300 | $169,800 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $130,600 | $99,300 | $169,800 | -16% |
| Alabama | $129,100 | $98,100 | $167,800 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $129,100 | $98,100 | $167,800 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $124,400 | $94,500 | $161,700 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $124,400 | $94,500 | $161,700 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $121,300 | $92,200 | $157,700 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $121,300 | $92,200 | $157,700 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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