2026 Data Science Tech Salary Guide

A good salary in data science depends on factors such as experience level, geographic location, and market demand. Based on current data science salary benchmarks, mid-level data scientists nationally earn between approximately $138,000 and $175,000 annually. Senior data scientists typically have salaries ranging from around $157,000 up to $194,000.

At a regional level, these ranges vary significantly. For example, in San Francisco, mid-level salaries range from about $172,000 to $218,000, with senior roles extending between $196,000 and $253,000. In contrast, cities like Dallas present lower salary scales, with mid-level positions earning approximately $112,000 to $142,000 and senior roles offering up to about $158,000.

Regions such as Los Angeles and Seattle also show strong compensation with mid-level salaries from approximately $154,000 to $195,000 and $148,000 to $187,000 respectively, and senior levels commonly exceeding $195,000. These figures reflect the expanding viability and significant impact of data science roles in driving analytic insights and business scalability.

Ultimately, a good data science salary aligns with role complexity and regional cost of living considerations, while reflecting the evolving landscape of data-driven decision-making.

The highest salaries within data science roles are typically found in senior level positions, particularly in high-cost metropolitan areas. Senior data scientists in San Francisco lead the scale, with salary ranges between approximately $196,000 and $253,000 annually. This regional premium reflects the city's concentration of tech firms and its evolving landscape demanding advanced data capabilities.

Other regions also command significant salaries for senior level data scientists: Seattle offers between $168,000 and $208,000, while remote roles provide ranges from roughly $161,000 to $200,000. Mid-level roles generally have lower ranges but still offer competitive pay relative to many other IT functions.

The data science salary hierarchy consistently shows senior roles commanding the highest compensation due to their strategic impact on digital transformation and operational scalability. These roles require a seamless experience in handling large data sets and deriving actionable insights, justifying their elevated compensation.

The data science salary for professionals with around five years of experience—typically considered mid-level—varies significantly by region but generally falls within a range of $112,000 to $196,000 annually. For instance, in Los Angeles, mid-level data scientists earn between approximately $154,000 and $196,000, while in Chicago and Houston the ranges are slightly lower but still substantial, spanning from the low $130,000s to around $168,000. Remote roles also offer a competitive mid-level salary of about $141,000 to $180,000.

These figures reflect the significant impact that mid-level data scientists have in driving insights and supporting scalable AI and analytics projects. The evolving landscape of data science demands a seamless experience with large data sets and advanced analytical techniques, which is well compensated at this career stage.

Because market conditions influence compensation, these data science salary ranges reflect not only skill level but also regional demand, cost of living, and company scale.

Data science salary levels have shown a consistent upward trend through 2026. Based on current market data, mid-level Data Scientists in the U.S. can expect salaries ranging approximately from $138,000 to $175,000 annually in 2026, with senior level salaries extending from around $157,000 up to $194,000. This represents a continuation of expansion in compensation influenced by the growing demand for advanced analytics and AI capabilities across industries.

Regions like San Francisco lead with even higher mid-level salary ranges—up to $218,000—while other key tech hubs such as New York, Seattle, and Boston also offer competitive salary packages that demonstrate the expanding viability of data science roles. This increase reflects organizations investing heavily to secure talent that can ensure a seamless experience in managing AI-driven workflows and reducing critical errors.

Data science salary projections for 2026 indicate strong earning potential across various regions and experience levels. Nationally, mid-level Data Scientists are expected to earn between approximately $138,000 and $175,000 annually. senior level professionals can anticipate salaries ranging from about $157,000 to nearly $195,000.

Regionally, salaries vary with market demand and cost of living. For example, in New York, mid-level Data Scientists may earn between $155,000 and $196,000, while senior level roles can command as much as $218,000 at the upper end. Seattle follows closely, offering mid-level salaries around $148,000 to $187,000, and senior level pay up to $208,000. Boston and remote positions provide similar ranges, typically mid-level salaries near $141,000 to $179,000 and senior levels between $161,000 and $200,000.

Overall, the data signals a sustained investment in data science talent as organizations scale their digital transformation efforts and seek a seamless experience in data-driven decision-making.

Data science occupies a unique position within the broader technology landscape, often intersecting with IT but not classified strictly as a traditional IT job. Data science integrates disciplines such as statistics, machine learning, and programming, which collectively support data-driven decision-making and digital transformation initiatives.

While IT roles typically focus on infrastructure management, network administration, and system maintenance, data science emphasizes extracting actionable insights from large and complex datasets using advanced analytical techniques. This evolving landscape drives collaboration between data scientists and IT professionals, especially in areas like data engineering, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, to ensure data accessibility, security, and scalability.

In fact, the expanding viability of data science comes from its capacity to blend technical skills—such as proficiency in Python, R, and SQL—with business acumen in order to deliver measurable ROI. Despite overlaps, data science is frequently considered part of the analytics and research domain within technology organizations rather than purely an IT function. This distinction underscores the critical role data science plays in supporting business growth through evidence-based strategies while remaining attuned to technological infrastructure requirements.

In 2026, mid-level Data Analysts in the USA earn between $95,714 and $117,577, while senior level Data Analysts earn between $119,166 and $149,166. 

In 2026, mid-level Data Scientists in the USA can expect to earn between $138,054 and $174,890, while senior level Data Scientists can earn between $157,083 and $194,480.