AI Data Scientist Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$152,000
national median salary
$115,000 to $198,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$207,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$159,000
Little Rock, AR
Lowest Paying
$114,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average AI Data Scientist salary in the United States is $152,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $115,000 at the 25th percentile to $198,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $207,000, while Little Rock offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries.
AI Data Scientist salary by city
Skills that increase AI Data Scientist pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Data Scientists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $21,280 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$21,280 per year
≈ +$19,760 per year
≈ +$18,240 per year
≈ +$16,720 per year
≈ +$15,200 per year
≈ +$15,200 per year
≈ +$15,200 per year
≈ +$13,680 per year
What you should know
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.
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.