Data Scientist.
Austin.
$134,000
median salary, 3% above the national average
$103,000 to $173,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
The median Data Scientist salary in Austin is $134,000, 3% above the national average. Entry level starts near $103,000. Experienced professionals push past $173,000. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $121,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$87,000
to $107,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$114,000
to $141,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$147,000
to $174,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$168,000
to $208,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $59,000 to the total package.
Base
$134,000
Equity
$36,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $193,000
Data Scientist salary by company
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings, SEC proxy statements, and aggregated self-reported data.
How Austin compares
Austin, TX
$134,000
Cost of living: 3% above average
National Average
$130,000
Austin is $4,000 above
Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Austin
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Data Scientist roles in Austin, here is what you are walking into. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The city's combination of no state income tax, a vibrant startup scene, and a strong university pipeline makes it highly competitive. Salaries have risen sharply over the past five years, narrowing the gap with coastal cities. Statistical depth, industry vertical, and the ability to translate models into business impact are the biggest levers. Data scientists who can deploy production ML models earn significantly more than those focused solely on analysis. Specialization in NLP, computer vision, or causal inference commands additional premiums.
Entry level data scientists with a master's degree start at $95,000 to $120,000. Mid level roles reach $130,000 to $170,000 after three years. Senior data scientists earn $170,000 to $220,000, while principal or staff level scientists at top firms exceed $250,000 in total compensation. In Austin, 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. Equity grants at tech companies add $20,000 to $100,000+ annually, especially at ML focused firms. Bonuses of 10 to 20% are standard. Some companies offer research stipends, conference travel budgets, and compute credits as additional perks. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, which can mean 5 to 10% more take home pay compared to California roles. Property taxes are above average, however, running about 1.8% of home value. When someone quotes you $134,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the no income tax advantage as a negotiation lever. Ask employers to match 90% of a Bay Area offer and show that your net pay will actually be higher. The range for Data Scientists in Austin runs from $103,000 to $173,000. 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 Backend Developer in Austin earns $133,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Austin is Chief AI Officer at $326,000
Common questions.
Data Scientist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Austin
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.