As of November 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Data Scientist I in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $73,813.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Data Scientist I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,769 | $6,731 | $1,553 | $39 |
| Average | $73,813 | $6,151 | $1,419 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,645 | $5,720 | $1,320 | $33 |
A Data Scientist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Data Scientist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist I | 0-2 years | $73,813 |
| Data Scientist II | 2-4 years | $94,347 |
| Data Scientist III | 4-7 years | $115,547 |
| Data Scientist IV | 7+ years | $131,664 |
| Data Scientist V | 7-10 years | $176,584 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 11.33% |
| SQL | 3.32% |
| Economics | 1.42% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Data Scientist I's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Biology | $83,409 | |
| Biochemistry | $81,932 | |
| Inference | $79,718 |
Data Scientist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,380. While startup companies pay approximate $69,772.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $69,772 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $73,769 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $79,545 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $82,380 |
Understanding how a Data Scientist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,769 | $6,731 | $1,553 | $39 |
| Average | $73,813 | $6,151 | $1,419 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,645 | $5,720 | $1,320 | $33 |
Salaries for a Data Scientist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $67,571 in 2023 to around $66,919 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Data Scientist I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $67,571 |
| 2024 | $67,276 |
| 2025 | $66,919 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Collects, analyzes, and interprets large data sets to identify trends, patterns, and provide key business insights. Performs data mining, cleaning, and aggregation processes to prepare data, implement data models, conduct analysis, and develop databases. Develops insights and reports from multiple structured and unstructured data sources using programming, statistical, and analytical techniques and tools. Maintains continuous collaboration with teams to understand the underlying purpose, focus, and objective of each data analysis project to ensure alignment and support. Designs, develops, and implements the most valuable data-driven solutions for the organization. May require a master's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
SQL: Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Economics: Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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