Data Scientists Salary by State
The national median pay for data scientists is $120,230 a year. By state, it ranges from $69,490 in Mississippi to $163,350 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $67,240
- 25th percentile
- $85,660
- Median
- $120,230
- 75th percentile
- $158,880
- Top 10%
- $199,130
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 262,440 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $163,350 | +36% | $79,930 | $220,040 | 9,600 |
| 2 | California | $141,590 | +18% | $77,480 | $224,920 | 39,310 |
| 3 | Maryland | $136,370 | +13% | $77,930 | $213,270 | 3,340 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $135,280 | +13% | $80,720 | $203,950 | 6,430 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $131,750 | +10% | $81,030 | $206,220 | 9,420 |
| 6 | New York | $130,460 | +9% | $73,330 | $214,080 | 23,970 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $128,800 | +7% | $65,730 | $179,640 | 4,020 |
| 8 | Vermont | $127,070 | +6% | $76,570 | $160,430 | 200 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $126,490 | +5% | $89,750 | $209,730 | 2,680 |
| 10 | Virginia | $126,430 | +5% | $76,420 | $207,890 | 8,920 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $126,340 | +5% | $75,700 | $204,680 | 1,760 |
| 12 | Oregon | $125,990 | +5% | $78,110 | $206,550 | 2,140 |
| 13 | Texas | $122,090 | +2% | $64,540 | $170,780 | 25,860 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $119,090 | −1% | $65,970 | $172,830 | 11,430 |
| 15 | Colorado | $117,400 | −2% | $74,470 | $189,630 | 6,280 |
| 16 | Florida | $115,820 | −4% | $63,080 | $174,140 | 10,240 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $109,390 | −9% | $67,090 | $169,110 | 530 |
| 18 | Utah | $108,090 | −10% | $60,680 | $167,890 | 4,360 |
| 19 | Arizona | $107,240 | −11% | $65,200 | $161,730 | 4,560 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $106,850 | −11% | $63,340 | $162,290 | 13,810 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $106,680 | −11% | $76,300 | $168,810 | 4,370 |
| 22 | Illinois | $106,560 | −11% | $68,810 | $168,880 | 10,520 |
| 23 | Georgia | $104,340 | −13% | $67,750 | $170,010 | 9,260 |
| 24 | Alabama | $103,120 | −14% | $59,130 | $161,590 | 1,740 |
| 25 | Ohio | $102,630 | −15% | $61,710 | $160,650 | 6,100 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | $102,440 | −15% | $75,310 | $158,820 | 1,160 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $102,130 | −15% | $77,270 | $172,870 | 300 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $100,620 | −16% | $73,480 | $155,020 | 1,100 |
| 29 | Michigan | $100,590 | −16% | $60,830 | $162,670 | 7,360 |
| 30 | Montana | $100,490 | −16% | $67,120 | $167,150 | 220 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $100,330 | −17% | $60,200 | $156,160 | 2,790 |
| 32 | Nevada | $98,540 | −18% | $57,150 | $164,110 | 1,680 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $98,230 | −18% | $66,230 | $133,140 | 1,980 |
| 34 | Kansas | $98,130 | −18% | $60,520 | $154,990 | 490 |
| 35 | Missouri | $97,090 | −19% | $58,960 | $151,380 | 4,730 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $96,150 | −20% | $67,510 | $145,510 | 220 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $95,850 | −20% | $49,990 | $133,660 | 560 |
| 38 | Iowa | $95,830 | −20% | $56,070 | $146,700 | 2,300 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $91,990 | −23% | $61,600 | $156,000 | 3,750 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $91,760 | −24% | $61,990 | $156,480 | 1,540 |
| 41 | Indiana | $91,470 | −24% | $58,750 | $141,250 | 3,580 |
| 42 | Maine | $90,880 | −24% | $60,280 | $138,530 | 1,210 |
| 43 | Idaho | $89,380 | −26% | $63,980 | $169,010 | 1,350 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $86,310 | −28% | $58,690 | $145,580 | 1,900 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $85,090 | −29% | $57,500 | $125,100 | 390 |
| 46 | Alaska | $84,110 | −30% | $51,550 | $138,400 | 230 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $81,900 | −32% | $59,030 | $126,710 | 210 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $78,760 | −34% | $53,050 | $128,210 | 1,300 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $69,490 | −42% | $43,940 | $125,990 | 440 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Data Scientists salary questions
Which state pays data scientists the most?
Washington, with a median of $163,350 a year (+36% vs. the national median of $120,230). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays data scientists the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $69,490 a year (−42% vs. national).
Where do most data scientists work?
California has the most jobs, about 39,310, with a median of $141,590.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.