CareerFacts

All careers › Data Scientists

Data scientist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$120,230median pay per year, or $57.80 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $67,240lowest 10% earn less
  2. $85,66025th percentile
  3. $120,230median
  4. $158,88075th percentile
  5. $199,130top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Data scientists had a median pay of $120,230 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+34.6%[2]
Openings per year
24,800[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do data scientists make?

The median pay for a data scientist was $120,230 a year, or $57.80 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) was $126,800 a year, or $60.96 an hour[7].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $67,240 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $199,130[3]. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less than that amount[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $67,240
25th percentile[3] $85,660
Median[1] $120,230
75th percentile[3] $158,880
90th percentile[3] $199,130

By the hour, the 10th percentile was $32.33, the 25th was $41.18, the 75th was $76.39 and the 90th was $95.74[9].

For comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median pay for data scientists at $163,350 a year[11]. California followed at $141,590, then Maryland at $136,370, New Jersey at $135,280, Massachusetts at $131,750 and New York at $130,460[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $185,080[12]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA came next at $170,110, followed by Idaho Falls, ID at $167,840 and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $164,740[12].

The most jobs were in California (39,310), Texas (25,860), New York (23,970), Pennsylvania (13,810) and North Carolina (11,430)[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs, at 23,160, with a median of $135,980[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was second with 10,460 jobs[14].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[11]$163,3509,600
California$141,59039,310
Maryland$136,3703,340
New Jersey$135,2806,430
Massachusetts$131,7509,420
New York$130,46023,970
Minnesota$128,8004,020
Vermont$127,070200
District of Columbia$126,4902,680
Virginia$126,4308,920
Connecticut$126,3401,760
Oregon$125,9902,140
Texas$122,09025,860
North Carolina$119,09011,430
Colorado$117,4006,280
Florida$115,82010,240
Arkansas$109,390530
Utah$108,0904,360
Arizona$107,2404,560
Pennsylvania$106,85013,810
Wisconsin$106,6804,370
Illinois$106,56010,520
Georgia$104,3409,260
Alabama$103,1201,740
Ohio$102,6306,100
Rhode Island$102,4401,160
Hawaii$102,130300
New Hampshire$100,6201,100
Michigan$100,5907,360
Montana$100,490220
Tennessee$100,3302,790
Nevada$98,5401,680
Nebraska$98,2301,980
Kansas$98,130490
Missouri$97,0904,730
South Dakota$96,150220
New Mexico$95,850560
Iowa$95,8302,300
South Carolina$91,9903,750
Kentucky$91,7601,540
Indiana$91,4703,580
Maine$90,8801,210
Idaho$89,3801,350
Oklahoma$86,3101,900
West Virginia$85,090390
Alaska$84,110230
North Dakota$81,900210
Louisiana$78,7601,300
Mississippi$69,490440

How to become a data scientist

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed for entry. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[6]. The usual steps follow.

1) Earn at least a bachelor's degree[6]. BLS names mathematics, statistics, computer science and related fields. Business and engineering are also common fields of degree[15][16]. 2) Study math and statistics in depth[17]. High school students can take linear algebra, calculus, and probability and statistics[17]. 3) Add computer science courses[18]. Students need to learn data-oriented programming languages, plus statistical and database software and tools for presenting results[18]. 4) Check what your target employer wants[15]. Some employers require or prefer a master's or doctoral degree[15][16]. Some also want experience or coursework in their industry, such as finance for an asset management firm[19].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means a considerable amount of preparation is needed[20]. The facts we use do not say how many years it takes to qualify.

BLS lists these skills as important:

What data scientists do

O*NET describes the job as turning raw data into useful information. Workers use programming languages and visualization software, and methods such as data mining, modeling, natural language processing and machine learning[27]. Common tasks include:

Where they work

Data scientists spend much of their time in an office[29]. Full-time schedules are the norm, according to BLS[30]. The largest employer group in 2025 was publishing, broadcasting, and content providers, at 12% of data scientists[31]. Only 1.9% of data scientists were self-employed in 2025[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of data scientists to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 275,600 to 371,000 jobs, a gain of 95,400[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[33]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 24,800 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that appear when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.7% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[34].

BLS says demand will rise as more digital and electronic data is collected. Businesses in all industries are expected to hire data scientists to analyze that data, improve processes and develop new products[35].

OEWS counted about 262,440 wage and salary data scientists in May 2025[36]. The projections count of about 275,600 for 2025 includes self-employed workers[2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with high median pay, at $120,230 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][4]. The typical entry route is a bachelor's degree with no related work experience listed as typical, though some employers prefer a master's or doctorate[6][15]. The work centers on math, statistics, programming and explaining results to others[18][23]. BLS projects growth of 34.6%, far above the 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. Pay varies by location and by where a worker falls in the range, from $67,240 at the 10th percentile to $199,130 at the 90th[3][11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a data scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $57.80 and the mean was $60.96 in May 2025[1][7]. The middle half of workers earned between $41.18 and $76.39 an hour[9].
What degree do you need to be a data scientist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, in fields such as mathematics, statistics or computer science[6][15]. Some employers require or prefer a master's or doctoral degree[15].
Is data scientist in demand?
BLS projects employment to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. About 24,800 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for data scientists?
Washington had the highest median pay at $163,350 a year, followed by California at $141,590[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Data Scientists in the US was $120,230 per year and $57.80 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Data Scientists is projected to grow 34.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 275,600 to 371,000 jobs (a change of +95,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Data Scientists: 10th percentile $67,240, 25th percentile $85,660, 75th percentile $158,880, 90th percentile $199,130. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 24,800 openings for Data Scientists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Data Scientists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Data Scientists was $126,800 per year and $60.96 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Data Scientists: 10th percentile $32.33, 25th percentile $41.18, 75th percentile $76.39, 90th percentile $95.74. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Data Scientists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Data Scientists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $185,080; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $170,110; Idaho Falls, ID $167,840; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $164,740; Kennewick-Richland, WA $156,830; North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $146,980; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $141,760; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $135,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Data Scientists jobs: California 39,310; Texas 25,860; New York 23,970; Pennsylvania 13,810; North Carolina 11,430. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Data Scientists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 23,160 (median $135,980); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 10,460 (median $170,110); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 10,120 (median $127,750); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,850 (median $129,740); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 9,260 (median $132,200); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 8,370 (median $164,740). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 15-2051.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Data Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Data Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of data scientists in 2025: Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers 12%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 1.9% of Data Scientists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Data Scientists: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Data Scientists: Demand change - share increases as larger amounts of digital and electronic data are collected over the projections decade. Businesses in all industries will hire data scientists to analyze data to help improve business processes and design and develop new products. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 262,440 people were employed as Data Scientists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.