What Data Scientists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Data Scientists this way: "Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports."
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Data Scientists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 275,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 371,000 in 2035, an increase of 95,400 jobs (+34.6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 24,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $120,230, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Data Scientists earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $103,555 in Indiana to $157,027 in Washington, a gap of $53,472 (1.52 times). 9 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $120,230 and 3 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 34,810, which is 16.8% of the 207,660 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 30,630.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($157,027), California ($148,018) and District of Columbia ($132,200) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($103,555) and Illinois ($106,250) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Data Scientists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 13 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in King County, WA (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA) at $90,322. The smallest margin is $50,712 in Cook County, IL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 13 of the 13 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 13.2% and 33.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Data Scientists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (15-2000) include Operations Research Analysts.
Frequently asked questions about Data Scientists
What is the national median wage for Data Scientists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $120,230. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $103,555 to $157,027.
Which state pays Data Scientists the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $157,027. California is next at $148,018.
What is the job outlook for Data Scientists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 34.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 24,800 openings a year.
What education do Data Scientists need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Data Scientists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, King County, WA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $90,322 on a median wage of $164,740.