Salary report · US · 2026
Data Scientist Salary
The average data scientist salary is $103,743 per year in the United States in 2026. Base pay runs from $73,000 at the 10th percentile to $145,000 at the 90th, with a median of $104,000. Bonuses add $2,000–$20,000, putting total pay between roughly $73,000 and $154,000.
Definition & distribution
What is the average data scientist salary?
A data scientist earns an average base salary of $103,743 per year in the US as of 2026. The role sits between engineering, statistics, and product, and pay rises sharply with the ability to ship machine-learning systems rather than just analyze data.
The median ($104,000) sits almost exactly on the mean ($103,743), so the middle of the market is dense. The 10th percentile at $73,000 is 30% below the median, while the 90th at $145,000 is 39% above — the upper tail rewards machine-learning and production ML skills.
Known limitations. This record is built on 5,814 salary profiles (last updated May 2026). The median is stable; base figures exclude equity, which is a meaningful part of total pay at larger technology employers.
Pay components
How is data scientist total pay structured?
Reported total compensation for data scientists has two consistent components: base salary and annual bonus. Profit sharing appears at some employers but is reported unevenly.
| Component | Low | High | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $73,000 | $145,000 | Dense around the $104k median |
| Annual bonus | $2,000 | $20,000 | Up to ~14% of top-end base |
| Total pay | $73,000 | $154,000 | Excludes unreported equity |
Pay by experience
How does experience change a data scientist salary?
Data scientist pay climbs steeply with experience — this is one of the steeper curves in tech. Entry-level scientists sit about 14% below the role average, and experienced scientists reach roughly 38% above as they move into senior and lead ML work.
- 01
Entry level (<1 year): ~$88,800 total pay
About 14% below the role average. Early pay tracks analysis and SQL fluency more than production ML experience.
- 02
Early to mid career: −2% to +14%
Pay crosses the role average as scientists move from analysis into building and deploying models.
- 03
Experienced: +38% over average
The peak of the curve. Senior and lead ML scientists who own production systems command the top of the range.
Skills
Which skills affect a data scientist salary?
Reported skills split into three tiers. Analysis and SQL are the baseline; machine learning, AI, and NLP are where pay separates; and strategy and leadership open the next band.
- 01
Analysis & SQL — the baseline
Data analysis, statistics, and SQL appear on nearly every profile. They qualify you for the role; they don't differentiate pay.
- 02
Machine learning & AI — the premium tier
Machine learning, NLP, big-data, and AI skills map directly to the highest-paying employers and the top of the range.
- 03
Strategy & leadership — the promotion tier
Owning data strategy and leading ML teams is what carries pay past this title into staff and lead roles.
Geography
Where do data scientists earn the most?
Reported profiles concentrate in large metros with dense technology, finance, and government demand. Coastal hubs anchor the top of the range; DC and Chicago add strong non-tech demand for the skill set.
| Metro | Market character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Big tech & AI | Top of range; highest cost of living |
| New York, NY | Finance & product | Broad, high-paying demand |
| Seattle, WA | Cloud & enterprise | Strong base pay, large employers |
| Washington, DC | Government & defense | Steady demand for cleared talent |
| Boston, MA | Biotech & enterprise | Healthcare and research-heavy market |
Check your pay
Where does your salary fall?
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Raising your pay
How can data scientists increase their salary?
Four mechanisms reliably move data scientist pay, in descending order of effect:
- 01
Ship production machine learning
Moving from analysis to owning deployed models is the clearest jump on the pay curve.
- 02
Change employers
External offers, especially at ML-heavy technology firms, re-price you to market faster than internal raises.
- 03
Add AI/ML depth
Machine learning, NLP, and AI skills correlate with the highest-paying employers on file.
- 04
Move toward lead & strategy roles
Owning data strategy and leading teams is where pay continues past this title's ceiling.
FAQ
Data Scientist salary: FAQ
About $145,000 per year at the 90th percentile of base pay. With bonuses of up to $20,000, top-end total compensation reaches roughly $154,000 — before equity.
About $73,000 per year at the 10th percentile of base pay. Figures this low typically reflect entry-level, analysis-focused roles rather than production ML work.
Most reliably by shipping production machine learning, changing employers, deepening AI/ML skills, and moving toward lead or data-strategy roles.
Yes. Reported annual bonuses range from about $2,000 to $20,000, bringing total pay to between roughly $73,000 and $154,000 per year, excluding equity.
Reliable at the median, built on 5,814 salary profiles reported to PayScale (updated May 2026). Base figures exclude equity, a meaningful part of total pay at larger employers.
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