Data Scientist Salary Guide 2026
Highest national concentration of data architects.
National Median: $116,000
Range: $95K – $182K
3-Year Growth Trend: +9.5% · Source: Agents for Hire; Levels.fyi
Avg Total Comp
$150,000
Experience Level
Mid-level total comp at $157k in Austin; 75th percentile TC at $328k in SF.
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High Demand Track
Market demand for Data Scientist is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.
Metro Area Breakdown
20 Markets| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA | $156,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA | $163,366 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA | $143,840 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH | $141,520 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA | $139,200 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,200 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA | $139,200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA | $133,400 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | $127,600 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO | $125,280 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX | $121,630 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | $121,800 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | $119,480 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | $118,320 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC | $116,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | $113,680 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC | $113,680 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | $112,520 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI | $111,360 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $110,200 |
"Calculated" benchmarks are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. "Verified" entries are sourced directly from Agents for Hire; Levels.fyi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a Data Scientist in 2026?
The national median salary for a Data Scientist in 2026 is $116,000. Base salaries range from $95K to $182K depending on experience level and location.
Which city pays Data Scientists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA offers the highest median salary for Data Scientists at $163,366. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA is a close second at $156,600.
How fast are Data Scientist salaries growing?
Data Scientist salaries have grown at 9.5% over the past three years, making it one of the fastest-growing roles in U.S. tech. Highest national concentration of data architects.
What is the salary range for an entry-level Data Scientist?
Entry-level Data Scientist salaries start around $95K annually at the national level. Tier 1 cities like San Francisco and New York start 20–35% higher. Specialization in AI and cloud-adjacent skills accelerates entry compensation.
What total compensation should a Data Scientist expect?
Subscribe to the Vetta newsletter to access average total compensation data including equity and bonus breakdowns for Data Scientist roles across all 20 metro areas.