Data Scientist Salary Guide (2026)

Data scientist salary ranges with Python, R, and ML expertise. Compensation by experience level, work mode, and top companies. Based on 1,084 active job listings.

Salary Range (USD/year)

$158k$192k$229k

Based on 433 jobs with disclosed salaries

Top Skills

Python 973 SQL 810 R 235 AWS 173 PyTorch 168 scikit-learn 165 TensorFlow 160 Spark 135 Tableau 123 Airflow 120 Snowflake 120 dbt 98 pandas 97 Looker 91 GCP 89 Databricks 85 NumPy 80 Pandas 76 BigQuery 69 Git 62

Salary by Experience Level

Intern$47k
$44k5 jobs$62k
Entry Level$134k
$105k15 jobs$172k
Mid-Level$158k
$140k70 jobs$177k
Senior$199k
$171k241 jobs$227k
Lead / Staff+$241k
$202k72 jobs$279k

Salary by Work Mode

Hybrid$211k
$167k142 jobs$258k
On-site$208k
$173k61 jobs$258k
Remote$178k
$147k159 jobs$206k

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Data Scientist salary?

The median Data Scientist salary is $191,886 per year (USD). Salaries range from $158,210 (25th percentile) to $229,089 (75th percentile), based on 433 job listings with disclosed compensation.

How much do senior data scientists earn compared to entry level?

Senior data scientists earn a median of $199,207/year, while entry-level roles start around $134,125/year — a 49% increase with experience.

Do remote data scientists earn more or less?

Remote data scientist roles have a median salary of $177,871/year, which is 7% lower than the overall median. Based on 159 remote positions with disclosed pay.

What skills do data scientists need to earn top salaries?

The most in-demand skills for Data Scientist roles are Python, SQL, R, AWS, PyTorch. Mastering these technologies can help you qualify for higher-paying positions in the $229,089+ range.

Which companies pay data scientists the most?

Top-paying companies for Data Scientist roles include jobgether ($150k median), openai ($309k median), reddit ($260k median), roblox ($243k median), dropbox ($204k median). Salary varies by company size, location, and experience level.

How do I negotiate a higher data scientist salary?

Research market rates using salary data like this page. Quantify your impact with specific metrics and achievements. Highlight in-demand skills like Python, SQL, R on your resume. Use CareerPair's AI resume builder to create a compelling resume that showcases your value.