Texas tech capital — Tesla, Oracle, Apple — booming. Here's how Data Scientists in Austin get paid in 2026.
How pay scales with career stage in the Austin metro market.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th % | 75th % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–1 yr) | $122,700 | $93,300 | $159,600 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $152,500 | $115,900 | $198,300 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $175,400 | $133,300 | $228,000 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $210,400 | $159,900 | $273,600 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $238,500 | $181,200 | $310,000 |
Highest-paying metros for Data Scientists — useful if you're weighing a relocation.
Top occupations by median pay across the Austin metro economy.
The average Data Scientist salary in the Austin metro is $175,400 per year as of 2026, with a typical range of $133,300 to $228,000 (25th–75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) make $289,400 or more.
Yes — Austin pays +4% relative to the Texas state median for Data Scientists. Major metros typically concentrate higher-paying employers and command a wage premium over rural and small-city areas in the same state.
Austin vs. national: +13%. That puts Austin among the stronger US markets for Data Scientists — though cost of living in Austin is also typically elevated.
In Austin, the median Data Scientist salary of $175,400 typically corresponds to 5–9 years of experience (mid-level). Entry-level Data Scientists in Austin start around $122,700, while seniors (10+ years) reach $210,400 or more.
Metro medians are useful benchmarks — but your exact number depends on your experience, education, and the specific employer. Run the free calculator for a personalized read.
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