Data Scientist pay in the United States: San Jose leads, San Antonio trails
The United States national median for a data scientist is US$120,000 a year. Among 21 metros with observed data, pay runs from about US$103,290 in San Antonio to US$185,080 in San Jose (1.8×).
BLS OEWS (May 2025) publishes the national spread for the matching occupation: US$67,240 at the 10th percentile and US$199,130 at the 90th, a 3× gap.
San Jose is +54% against the national median and San Antonio -14%. In between: San Francisco US$170,110, Seattle US$164,740, New York US$135,980, and Washington US$132,200.
The closest technology peer is ux designer at US$115,000, so a data scientist earns 4.3% more at the national median in the United States.
Why a United States-median offer can be low in San Jose
San Jose’s observed median is US$185,080, with a local band of about US$109,740–US$282,840. An offer pitched at the national median (US$120,000) would sit 54% under the local midpoint.
Data Scientist pay in official statistics for the United States
The closest official occupation is Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051). In May 2025 its national median was $120,230 a year.
The headline median at the top of this page comes from this same table, rounded to the nearest hundred.
The published 10th and 90th percentiles are $67,240 and $199,130, a 3× spread.
BLS estimates 262,440 jobs in this occupation nationwide.
49 states have a published figure. Washington is highest at $163,350 (+36% vs national) and Mississippi lowest at $69,490, a 2.35× gap.
13 of the 49 pay above the national median; the next highest after Washington are California ($141,590) and Maryland ($136,370).
National figures, Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051), May 2025
Data Scientist pay in the United States vs other countries
The United States is 1st of 9 countries for this role once medians are converted at the same exchange rate (US$120,000). Canada pays 2% less (US$118,173). The gap between the highest and lowest market is 3.8×.
That median is about 1.3× GDP per person (US$90,000, World Bank 2025). That is a rough sign of how far the role pays above the average national income.
By national median, it is number 12 of 27 roles we track there. Actuary is the next step up at US$130,000, and UX Designer the next step down at US$115,000.
Within technology, Machine Learning Engineer (US$180,000), Cloud Architect (US$172,000) and Product Manager (US$158,000) pay more, while UX Designer (US$115,000) and Frontend Developer (US$92,700) pay less.
Data Scientist take-home pay in the United States (estimate)
Using our take-home calculator for the United States, the US$120,000 median loses income tax US$17,570, Social Security US$7,440 and Medicare US$1,740, leaving US$93,250 a year or US$7,771 a month. Total deductions: 22% of gross.
At the published 10th percentile from BLS OEWS (May 2025) (US$67,240) deductions are 17%; at the 90th (US$199,130) they reach 26%, leaving US$12,357 a month.
The United States: prices, jobs and holidays
Consumer prices in the United States rose 2.9% in 2024 (World Bank). Matching that on the US$120,000 median takes a raise of about US$3,480.
Unemployment was 4.2% of the labour force in 2025.
The United States has 14 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about US$462 before tax.
United States
Canada