Data Scientist

Data scientists use analytical, statistical, and programming skills to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. They then use this information to develop data-driven solutions to difficult business challenges.

$108,020

Median Salary

$115,581

Mean Salary

168,900

Total Employment

36%

Job Growth

Much faster than average

Bachelor's degree

Education

65,871

Openings/Year

Salary Distribution

10th Percentile

$64,812

25th Percentile

$84,256

Median

$108,020

75th Percentile

$138,266

90th Percentile

$181,474

Salary Map

HI WA MT ND MN WI MI

VT NH ME OR ID SD IA IL IN OH PA NY MA CT CA NV WY NE MO KY WV VA NJ RI DC AZ UT CO KS AR TN NC SC MD DE

OK LA MS AL GA FL

Lower Mid Higher

Top Employing States

Texas

20,045

California

17,077

Florida

8,653

Illinois

8,309

New York

8,221

Salary by State

#	State	Median Salary	Mean Salary	Employment	Loc. Quotient
1	District of Columbia	$194,654	$206,690	452	1.29
2	Hawaii	$190,314	$216,018	524	0.71
3	California	$186,883	$201,193	17,077	0.85
4	Massachusetts	$175,460	$196,423	4,121	1.15
5	New Jersey	$155,471	$176,306	3,908	0.83
6	Maryland	$153,566	$173,891	2,876	0.91
7	Connecticut	$149,139	$162,670	1,905	1.04
8	New York	$144,033	$163,290	8,221	0.80
9	Alaska	$138,935	$158,958	308	0.82
10	Vermont	$136,393	$146,497	291	0.89
11	Washington	$133,142	$141,971	5,100	1.30
12	Maine	$132,215	$147,854	863	1.24
13	Florida	$123,185	$132,851	8,653	0.79
14	Pennsylvania	$122,866	$131,980	6,063	0.92
15	Illinois	$120,863	$136,130	8,309	1.27
16	Rhode Island	$120,048	$128,233	610	1.09
17	Arizona	$119,359	$127,082	2,426	0.67
18	Colorado	$118,285	$127,827	2,062	0.70
19	Delaware	$118,269	$134,448	332	0.66
20	Idaho	$117,935	$133,051	1,028	1.10
21	Oregon	$117,584	$132,548	1,642	0.76
22	Georgia	$116,318	$131,649	6,581	1.21
23	Wisconsin	$114,758	$123,609	4,057	1.35
24	Texas	$114,157	$127,424	20,045	1.35
25	New Hampshire	$112,469	$123,626	576	0.82
26	South Carolina	$112,438	$125,062	2,060	0.79
27	Michigan	$112,131	$123,328	4,645	0.90
28	Nevada	$110,423	$116,071	1,496	0.95
29	Missouri	$109,575	$120,813	3,088	0.98
30	Montana	$108,832	$116,609	378	0.68
31	North Dakota	$107,630	$116,796	273	0.69
32	Virginia	$107,528	$115,753	5,380	1.22
33	Utah	$107,489	$115,011	1,316	0.79
34	South Dakota	$104,372	$112,358	514	1.14
35	Arkansas	$102,716	$109,603	1,263	0.82
36	Nebraska	$101,569	$107,998	1,354	1.35
37	Iowa	$99,576	$108,846	1,336	0.82
38	Alabama	$98,129	$103,203	2,010	0.79
39	Minnesota	$97,724	$109,541	3,256	1.12
40	Mississippi	$97,278	$108,285	1,623	1.08
41	Ohio	$96,054	$108,372	5,737	0.95
42	Louisiana	$92,851	$105,891	1,599	0.67
43	Wyoming	$91,035	$97,825	190	0.65
44	West Virginia	$90,861	$103,789	1,175	1.29
45	North Carolina	$89,848	$95,617	7,211	1.36
46	Kentucky	$88,818	$93,650	2,550	1.11
47	Tennessee	$88,380	$98,050	2,583	0.73
48	Oklahoma	$87,339	$94,211	1,804	0.89
49	Kansas	$87,314	$92,317	1,994	1.33
50	Indiana	$83,605	$95,239	4,695	1.36
51	New Mexico	$83,570	$90,941	1,439	1.33

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Data Scientist?

The median salary for a Data Scientist is $108,020 per year nationally. Salaries range from $64,812 (10th percentile) to $181,474 (90th percentile).

What education do you need to become a Data Scientist?

A Data Scientist typically requires a bachelor's degree.

What is the job outlook for Data Scientists?

Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36% — much faster than average. About 65,871 openings are expected each year.

Which state pays Data Scientists the most?

District of Columbia pays the highest median salary for data scientists at $194,654 per year.

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