Median data scientist salary in United States is $170k. Junior roles (0–2 years) start at $120k; senior roles (7+ years) reach $260k+. Numbers reflect 2026 US market data.
Data scientists in the United States earn a median salary of $120,000–$135,000 annually, with senior roles and specialized expertise commanding $150,000 to $200,000+. The disparity between entry-level and experienced positions reflects the real challenge: companies desperately need skilled practitioners, but the gap between junior competency and production-ready capability remains steep. Your location matters significantly—San Francisco, New York, and Seattle offer premiums of 20–30% over national averages, though remote work has compressed these advantages. The path to higher compensation requires moving beyond foundational skills into domain specialization (LLMs, causal inference, MLOps), leadership, or strategic business impact. If you're negotiating or planning your career trajectory, understanding what employers actually value—not just credentials—separates six-figure earners from those plateauing at $110,000. Ready to see which specific roles align with your skill level and income goals?
| Level | Years | Salary (median) | 10th–90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0–2 | $120k | $102k – $144k |
| Mid-level | 3–6 | $170k | $145k – $204k |
| Senior | 7+ | $260k | $221k – $364k |
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