Data Science Manager.

In 2026, the average Data Science Manager salary in Wichita, KS is $146,000. The 25th percentile sits at $115,000 and the 75th percentile reaches $191,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

Entry level Data Science Manager positions in Wichita typically start near $115,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $146,000. Data Science Managers at tech companies progress Manager → Senior Manager → Director → Senior Director → VP Engineering/Product over 10 to 15 years.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a Data Science Manager's base salary in Wichita. Specifically, data science manager compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. In a market where the range spans $115,000 to $191,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.

Data Science Managers at tech companies progress Manager → Senior Manager → Director → Senior Director → VP Engineering/Product over 10 to 15 years. The IC↔management crossover is common in both directions at the mid levels; above Senior Director, crossing back is rare. In Wichita, each step up the ladder is amplified by the local cost of living multiplier, which means senior roles pay proportionally more than in lower cost markets.

Wichita's cost of living is 18% below the national average. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. Calculate your actual take home pay after housing, taxes, and transportation before deciding. A $146,000 salary here buys a different lifestyle than the same number in another market.

It depends on the position and employer. Many Data Science Managers in Wichita are classified as exempt salaried employees without overtime eligibility. However, total compensation for data science managers runs roughly $196k at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~12% of base). When evaluating the $115,000 to $191,000 range, ask about the total compensation structure during negotiation.

Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. For Data Science Managers specifically, data science manager compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent, which signals sustained demand. The current compensation range of $115,000 to $191,000 reflects a market that is competing for talent.