Research and science jobs offer pay well above the national average. Increased demand for STEM workers is increasing salaries in research and science. Jobs in these fields, however, often require higher education at the graduate level and/or specialized training. While domain-specific expertise gives workers in these fields access to very specialized jobs, there are also many employers who hire STEM workers for their general data and technology skills.
Data Scientist salary in US
A Data Scientist salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Data Scientist in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $84,408 to $178,588 per year, based on 28,995 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Data Scientist in US can make a salary range of $82,339 to $166,855 with at least 8 years of experience, based on 18,354 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Data Scientist gets the highest compensation are NVIDIA Corporation, Meta and Micron Technology, Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 19.51% more than smaller companies for a Data Scientist.
Recent salaries shared by Data Scientist
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$129K - $151K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 18, 2026
$129K - $151K/yr
Data Scientist
|
10-14 years
$419K - $491K/yr
Menlo Park, CA
submitted on Jul 18, 2026
$419K - $491K/yr
Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$68K - $80K/yr
Pasadena, CA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$68K - $80K/yr
Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$74K - $86K/yr
Union City, CA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$74K - $86K/yr
Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$83K - $97K/yr
Austin, TX
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$83K - $97K/yr
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Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$87K - $102K/yr
Irvine, CA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$87K - $102K/yr
Data Scientist
|
1-3 years
$68K - $79K/yr
Toledo, OH
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$68K - $79K/yr
Data Scientist
|
7-9 years
$113K - $131K/yr
Boston, MA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$113K - $131K/yr
Data Scientist
|
4-6 years
$49K - $57K/yr
Italy, TX
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$49K - $57K/yr
Data Scientist
|
4-6 years
$74K - $86K/yr
Dallas, TX
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$74K - $86K/yr
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for a Data Scientist in United States are Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $157,521, Arts, Entertainment & Recreation with a median total pay of $156,380, Agriculture with a median total pay of $152,590, Financial Services with a median total pay of $145,356, and Information Technology with a median total pay of $144,938.
Frequently asked questions about Data Scientist salaries
The average salary for a Data Scientist is $156,784 per year or $75 per hour, with top earners making up to $249,767 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $123,833 (25th percentile) to $201,119 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 57667 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Data Scientist employees.
The highest salary for a Data Scientist is $201,119 per year, $16,760 per month or $97 per hour.
The lowest salary for a Data Scientist is $123,833 per year, $10,319 per month or $60 per hour.
Data scientists are paid well above average, reflecting their relatively unique skill set and the huge (and growing) demand for their work. As demand for their services has grown over the past decade, data scientist salaries have increased rapidly and are likely to continue growing as the digitalization of the economy continues. Data scientists with master’s or PhDs or who specialize in fields with a higher barrier to entry (like biostatistics or machine learning) often receive higher salaries.
Anonymous ratings shared on Glassdoor show that about 73% of data scientists are satisfied with their salary. Building up seven years of experience and receiving a master's or PhD in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or other related fields can help lead to a better salary.
Data scientists' total pay can range anywhere between $100,261.13 and $249,766.63. For all employees following the average data scientist's career path, the estimated total pay is approximately $156,784.08, which could include benefits in addition to salary, including bonuses or stock options. Once you've progressed to that point, it's common to move on to higher-level roles, such as lead data scientist or principal data scientist.
If you want to make more money as a data scientist, it's important to stay fluent in the latest systems and technologies. Make sure you're confident and experienced using statistical computer languages such as R, Python, and SQL. You can also seek additional education beyond a bachelor's degree if you want to stand out from other data scientist job candidates. Some people in the field pursue master's or doctoral degrees in related subjects such as computer science, information technology, math, or statistics. The more education and practical experience you have, the more you're likely to earn throughout your career.
If you're looking to increase your salary in your current role, be ready to concretely explain how your performance has been beneficial to the company and how your roles and responsibilities have expanded. Outline the ways your value to the company has increased over time, being as specific as possible. If you've been offered a data scientist job, highlight how your competencies, education, and experience in the field would make you an asset to the team. In both cases, it's helpful to look into data scientist salaries in your area, so you can get a sound idea of where to start.