AI Data Scientist.
Denver.
$158,000
median salary, 4% above the national average
$119,000 to $205,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A AI Data Scientist in Denver earns a median of $158,000 in 2026. That is 4% above the national average. The range runs from $119,000 to $205,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $142,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$103,000
to $126,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$174,000
to $205,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$198,000
to $245,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $75,000 to the total package.
Base
$158,000
Equity
$46,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $233,000
How Denver compares
Denver, CO
$158,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$152,000
Denver is $6,000 above
AI Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Denver
What you should know
Here is what the AI Data Scientist market actually looks like in Denver. Denver has emerged as a secondary tech hub with strong aerospace, telecom, and outdoor industry employers. The city attracts remote workers and relocating companies seeking lower costs than the coasts. Salaries have climbed steadily as national employers open satellite offices and compete for Denver's growing talent pool. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Industry sector matters significantly, with finance and healthcare paying 15 to 25% above retail or media. Proficiency in both Python and cloud ML platforms like SageMaker or Vertex AI is increasingly expected and adds 10 to 15% to offers.
Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Mid-level scientists with 3 to 5 years reach $152,000 to $198,000. Senior data scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while principal scientists and directors of data science can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Denver, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Financial services firms substitute higher cash bonuses of 25 to 50% in lieu of equity, making total compensation comparable. And on the tax side: colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax. Denver has no additional city income tax, making the overall tax burden lighter than most coastal metros. When someone quotes you $158,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Position yourself as a remote talent anchor. Many companies pay near coastal rates for Denver based employees to save on office costs while retaining top performers. The range for AI Data Scientists in Denver runs from $119,000 to $205,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Compliance Analyst in Denver earns $157,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Denver is Chief AI Officer at $348,000
Common questions.
AI Data Scientist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Denver
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