Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Data scientists (SOC 15-2051) employed 262,440 people in May 2025. The median pay is $120,230 a year ($57.80 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $67,240 and the highest-paid 10% more than $199,130. BLS projects its employment to change by +34.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 24,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: Washington ($163,350), California ($141,590), Maryland ($136,370). Most jobs: California (39,310), Texas (25,860), New York (23,970).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| 25th percentile | $85,660 | $41.18 |
| Median | $120,230 | $57.80 |
| Mean | $126,800 | $60.96 |
| 75th percentile | $158,880 | $76.38 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $199,130 | $95.74 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 275,600 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 371,000 |
| Change in jobs | 95,400 |
| Percent change | +34.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 24,800 |
| Self-employed share | 1.9% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,740 | 0.49 | $103,120 | $59,130 | $161,590 | -14% | 13% |
| Alaska | 230 | 0.43 | $84,110 | $51,550 | $138,400 | -30% | 21% |
| Arizona | 4,560 | 0.83 | $107,240 | $65,200 | $161,730 | -11% | 19% |
| Arkansas | 530 | 0.24 | $109,390 | $67,090 | $169,110 | -9% | 11% |
| California | 39,310 | 1.28 | $141,590 | $77,480 | $224,920 | +18% | 18% |
| Colorado | 6,280 | 1.29 | $117,400 | $74,470 | $189,630 | -2% | 19% |
| Connecticut | 1,760 | 0.61 | $126,340 | $75,700 | $204,680 | +5% | 15% |
| Delaware | 770 | 0.94 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| District of Columbia | 2,680 | 2.27 | $126,490 | $89,750 | $209,730 | +5% | 18% |
| Florida | 10,240 | 0.61 | $115,820 | $63,080 | $174,140 | -4% | 19% |
| Georgia | 9,260 | 1.12 | $104,340 | $67,750 | $170,010 | -13% | 17% |
| Hawaii | 300 | 0.29 | $102,130 | $77,270 | $172,870 | -15% | 23% |
| Idaho | 1,350 | 0.94 | $89,380 | $63,980 | $169,010 | -26% | 19% |
| Illinois | 10,520 | 1.02 | $106,560 | $68,810 | $168,880 | -11% | 15% |
| Indiana | 3,580 | 0.66 | $91,470 | $58,750 | $141,250 | -24% | 14% |
| Iowa | 2,300 | 0.87 | $95,830 | $56,070 | $146,700 | -20% | 12% |
| Kansas | 490 | 0.20 | $98,130 | $60,520 | $154,990 | -18% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 1,540 | 0.46 | $91,760 | $61,990 | $156,480 | -24% | 13% |
| Louisiana | 1,300 | 0.40 | $78,760 | $53,050 | $128,210 | -34% | 16% |
| Maine | 1,210 | 1.12 | $90,880 | $60,280 | $138,530 | -24% | 16% |
| Maryland | 3,340 | 0.72 | $136,370 | $77,930 | $213,270 | +13% | 15% |
| Massachusetts | 9,420 | 1.53 | $131,750 | $81,030 | $206,220 | +10% | 17% |
| Michigan | 7,360 | 0.99 | $100,590 | $60,830 | $162,670 | -16% | 14% |
| Minnesota | 4,020 | 0.81 | $128,800 | $65,730 | $179,640 | +7% | 12% |
| Mississippi | 440 | 0.23 | $69,490 | $43,940 | $125,990 | -42% | 17% |
| Missouri | 4,730 | 0.95 | $97,090 | $58,960 | $151,380 | -19% | 13% |
| Montana | 220 | 0.25 | $100,490 | $67,120 | $167,150 | -16% | 14% |
| Nebraska | 1,980 | 1.15 | $98,230 | $66,230 | $133,140 | -18% | 13% |
| Nevada | 1,680 | 0.64 | $98,540 | $57,150 | $164,110 | -18% | 21% |
| New Hampshire | 1,100 | 0.95 | $100,620 | $73,480 | $155,020 | -16% | 19% |
| New Jersey | 6,430 | 0.89 | $135,280 | $80,720 | $203,950 | +13% | 16% |
| New Mexico | 560 | 0.38 | $95,850 | $49,990 | $133,660 | -20% | 14% |
| New York | 23,970 | 1.47 | $130,460 | $73,330 | $214,080 | +9% | 15% |
| North Carolina | 11,430 | 1.37 | $119,090 | $65,970 | $172,830 | -1% | 13% |
| North Dakota | 210 | 0.29 | $81,900 | $59,030 | $126,710 | -32% | 14% |
| Ohio | 6,100 | 0.65 | $102,630 | $61,710 | $160,650 | -15% | 13% |
| Oklahoma | 1,900 | 0.66 | $86,310 | $58,690 | $145,580 | -28% | 15% |
| Oregon | 2,140 | 0.65 | $125,990 | $78,110 | $206,550 | +5% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 13,810 | 1.35 | $106,850 | $63,340 | $162,290 | -11% | 14% |
| Rhode Island | 1,160 | 1.37 | $102,440 | $75,310 | $158,820 | -15% | 17% |
| South Carolina | 3,750 | 0.96 | $91,990 | $61,600 | $156,000 | -23% | 17% |
| South Dakota | 220 | 0.29 | $96,150 | $67,510 | $145,510 | -20% | 12% |
| Tennessee | 2,790 | 0.50 | $100,330 | $60,200 | $156,160 | -17% | 15% |
| Texas | 25,860 | 1.09 | $122,090 | $64,540 | $170,780 | +2% | 14% |
| Utah | 4,360 | 1.49 | $108,090 | $60,680 | $167,890 | -10% | 18% |
| Vermont | 200 | 0.38 | $127,070 | $76,570 | $160,430 | +6% | 12% |
| Virginia | 8,920 | 1.29 | $126,430 | $76,420 | $207,890 | +5% | 16% |
| Washington | 9,600 | 1.60 | $163,350 | $79,930 | $220,040 | +36% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 390 | 0.33 | $85,090 | $57,500 | $125,100 | -29% | 12% |
| Wisconsin | 4,370 | 0.88 | $106,680 | $76,300 | $168,810 | -11% | 13% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 6,060 | $185,080 | $109,740 | $282,840 | 3.16 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 10,460 | $170,110 | $99,170 | $272,430 | 2.61 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 8,370 | $164,740 | $81,130 | $230,980 | 2.38 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 570 | $141,760 | $94,240 | $218,000 | 0.83 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 23,160 | $135,980 | $79,870 | $216,030 | 1.45 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 430 | $135,320 | $77,890 | $209,470 | 1.06 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,090 | $134,320 | $76,820 | $227,250 | 0.48 |
| Boulder, CO | 540 | $134,040 | $74,640 | $222,940 | 1.67 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 4,420 | $132,460 | $70,790 | $171,200 | 1.93 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 9,260 | $132,200 | $85,250 | $212,320 | 1.75 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 7,930 | $132,040 | $82,030 | $206,220 | 1.74 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,830 | $130,990 | $74,110 | $201,190 | 1.09 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,250 | $129,780 | $71,990 | $195,530 | 0.99 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 9,850 | $129,740 | $71,080 | $208,280 | 0.93 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,700 | $129,600 | $78,110 | $208,110 | 0.83 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 10,120 | $127,750 | $65,190 | $173,340 | 1.48 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 580 | $127,600 | $75,300 | $195,270 | 1.08 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,040 | $127,450 | $62,590 | $199,130 | 0.64 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 3,730 | $127,360 | $74,640 | $186,010 | 1.71 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 460 | $126,360 | $66,700 | $179,470 | 0.84 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 560 | $126,340 | $85,970 | $197,110 | 0.55 |
| Worcester, MA | 490 | $123,640 | $70,880 | $175,620 | 0.83 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 880 | $122,680 | $62,710 | $165,370 | 0.68 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,050 | $122,510 | $68,510 | $208,170 | 0.94 |
| Springfield, MA | 300 | $121,090 | $68,850 | $196,760 | 0.88 |
| Bloomington, IL | 590 | $120,760 | $73,800 | $191,260 | 4.00 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,990 | $120,710 | $72,190 | $180,850 | 1.59 |
| Peoria, IL | 340 | $120,000 | $74,290 | $157,260 | 1.20 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 2,970 | $114,990 | $62,050 | $159,820 | 2.13 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 3,480 | $114,540 | $68,880 | $165,520 | 0.87 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,000 | $112,910 | $66,690 | $209,100 | 0.35 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 340 | $112,680 | $60,810 | $158,530 | 0.90 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 4,510 | $112,520 | $74,830 | $178,700 | 1.66 |
| Huntsville, AL | 620 | $111,810 | $66,860 | $174,700 | 1.39 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,730 | $109,990 | $67,530 | $161,480 | 0.71 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6,480 | $109,910 | $67,950 | $181,560 | 1.32 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 6,820 | $108,940 | $72,430 | $172,130 | 1.40 |
| Syracuse, NY | 350 | $108,680 | $63,640 | $166,930 | 0.70 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,480 | $107,950 | $63,530 | $169,380 | 0.79 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 7,940 | $107,640 | $70,740 | $168,880 | 1.04 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 4,060 | $106,750 | $62,980 | $167,230 | 0.73 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,440 | $106,590 | $60,490 | $165,990 | 0.61 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,320 | $106,500 | $60,060 | $182,020 | 2.28 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 370 | $106,060 | $66,350 | $157,730 | 0.60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 1,080 | $104,710 | $78,790 | $163,180 | 0.78 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,710 | $103,700 | $77,430 | $160,740 | 1.49 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 840 | $103,340 | $57,700 | $174,990 | 1.63 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 3,810 | $103,330 | $62,400 | $168,510 | 1.18 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 1,730 | $103,290 | $59,790 | $165,250 | 0.91 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,240 | $103,030 | $65,480 | $150,190 | 1.82 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 1,360 | $103,020 | $63,570 | $165,660 | 0.73 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,680 | $102,650 | $64,420 | $161,490 | 0.90 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,170 | $102,440 | $72,170 | $160,660 | 0.97 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 840 | $102,250 | $55,940 | $158,960 | 0.93 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 410 | $102,220 | $63,120 | $160,170 | 0.39 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 490 | $101,970 | $62,040 | $171,050 | 0.77 |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,260 | $101,860 | $61,150 | $142,780 | 0.72 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 300 | $101,570 | $51,880 | $172,200 | 0.66 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,200 | $100,830 | $70,720 | $135,870 | 1.42 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 770 | $100,300 | $60,740 | $158,210 | 0.60 |
The median is $120,230 a year ($57.80 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $67,240 and the highest-paid tenth over $199,130 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
262,440 in May 2025, and BLS projects +34.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $163,350 (among states with published figures).