AI Data Scientist.
Tulsa.
$121,000
median salary, 20% below the national average
$92,000 to $158,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Data Scientist salary in Tulsa is $121,000, 20% below the national average. Entry level starts near $92,000. Experienced professionals push past $158,000. Tulsa has diversified beyond energy into aerospace, healthcare, and a growing tech remote work community. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $109,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$79,000
to $97,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$103,000
to $127,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$133,000
to $157,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$151,000
to $188,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $57,000 to the total package.
Base
$121,000
Equity
$35,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $178,000
How Tulsa compares
Tulsa, OK
$121,000
Cost of living: 17% below average
National Average
$152,000
Tulsa is $31,000 below
AI Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Tulsa
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Data Scientist offer in Tulsa, understand the terrain. Tulsa has diversified beyond energy into aerospace, healthcare, and a growing tech remote work community. The Tulsa Remote program has attracted thousands of remote workers with financial incentives. The extremely affordable cost of living means salaries stretch further here than almost anywhere. 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 Tulsa, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 17% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
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: oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75%. Tulsa has no city income tax. The low rate plus extremely affordable housing create exceptional purchasing power. When someone quotes you $121,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention the Tulsa Remote program ecosystem. Employers know that remote workers are choosing Tulsa for the cost of living, and they benchmark accordingly against coastal rates. The range for AI Data Scientists in Tulsa runs from $92,000 to $158,000. 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 UX Designer in Tulsa earns $120,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Tulsa is Distinguished Engineer at $266,000
Common questions.
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