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Data Scientist Senior Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Scientist Senior make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Scientist Senior in the United States is $119,322 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a Data Scientist Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,491
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $109,536 to $129,356
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,626
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Scientist Senior Salaries

A Data Scientist Senior'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.

How Experience Level Affects Data Scientist Senior Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Scientist Senior'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $75,760
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,694
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,584
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $135,129
  • Expert (over 8 years): $181,208
Levels Salary
Data Scie... Level Data Scientist Senior$75,760
Data Scie... Level Data Scientist Senior$92,694
Data Scie... Level Data Scientist Senior$118,584
Data Scie... Level Data Scientist Senior$135,129
Data Scie... Level Data Scientist Senior$181,208
View as Graph

How Do Data Scientist Senior Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Data Scientist Seniors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $132,113.
  • California: $131,612.
  • Massachusetts: $129,858.

Top Paying Cities for Data Scientist Seniors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $150,501
  • San Francisco: $148,853
  • Oakland: $145,716

What Skills Can Increase a Data Scientist Senior's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.56% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.21%
Computer Science 3.56%
Economics 1.5%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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 Senior's salary.

  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Big Data: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Inference $124,095
4%
Commitment $121,708
2%
Big Data $121,708
2%
Get Latest Data

Data Scientist Senior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Scientist Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Scientist Senior positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Scientist Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Data Scientist Senior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$143,186$69.020%

Data Scientist Senior Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Scientist Senior'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$109,536
Average $119,322/year
$129,356
$9,128
Average $9,944/month
$10,780
$2,106
Average $2,295/week
$2,488
$53
Average $57/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $129,356 $10,780 $2,488 $62
Average $119,322 $9,944 $2,295 $57
25th Percentile $109,536 $9,128 $2,106 $53

Most common benefits for Data Scientist Senior

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Data Scientist Senior

Here are companies hiring for Data Scientist Senior and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Scientist Senior

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Scientist Senior?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Scientist Senior roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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