San Diego data scientist salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 15% national tax estimate that is about US$9,200 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
Data Scientist pay in San Diego: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, San Diego comes 7th. One place higher is Boston at US$132,040, one lower is Los Angeles at US$129,740, and San Jose tops the list.
Compared only with other CA metros — Los Angeles (US$129,740), San Jose (US$185,080) and San Francisco (US$170,110) — San Diego ranks 3rd of 4, 15% under the US$154,000 state average.
Is US$130,990 a good salary in San Diego?
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$131,000, is near its face value.
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 7th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (15% effective) and about US$9,200 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 18% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$5,730 remains.
Other CA options for data scientists
A data scientist moving from San Diego to Los Angeles (also in CA) would see the median fall 1% to US$129,740, with US$70 less left over monthly in our model.
A data scientist moving from San Diego to San Jose (also in CA) would see the median rise 41% to US$185,080, with US$3,430 more left over monthly in our model.
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$135,980, 4% more than San Diego; modeled monthly leftover is US$320 higher.
Where Data Scientist ranks among San Diego jobs
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in San Diego at US$178,220; data scientist comes 4th of 9.
Closest neighbours in the San Diego list: Registered Nurse at US$139,520 (+7%) and Mechanical Engineer at US$121,750 (-7%).
Entry-level vs senior data scientist pay in San Diego
Senior pay is the relative strength in San Diego: US$201,190 at the 90th percentile ranks 9th of 21, while US$74,110 at the 10th ranks 10th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$282,840 at the 90th percentile, +41% against San Diego.
The data scientist pay range in San Diego
Pay is spread out: US$74,110 at the 10th percentile to US$201,190 at the 90th (2.7×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.