Data Scientist.
Baton Rouge.
$116,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$89,000 to $149,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Data Scientist salary in Baton Rouge is $116,000, 11% below the national average. Entry level starts near $89,000. Experienced professionals push past $149,000. Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital with a strong chemical manufacturing, energy, and state government base. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $105,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$75,000
to $93,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$99,000
to $122,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$128,000
to $151,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$145,000
to $180,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $51,000 to the total package.
Base
$116,000
Equity
$31,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $167,000
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 Baton Rouge compares
Baton Rouge, LA
$116,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$130,000
Baton Rouge is $14,000 below
Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Baton Rouge
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Data Scientist offer in Baton Rouge, understand the terrain. Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital with a strong chemical manufacturing, energy, and state government base. LSU drives education and research employment. The cost of living is very affordable, making even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. 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 Baton Rouge, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
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: louisiana's top income tax rate is 4.25%. Baton Rouge has no city income tax. The moderate rate and very affordable living costs create good take home pay. When someone quotes you $116,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the petrochemical corridor salary benchmarks. Chemical and energy engineers in Baton Rouge earn competitive rates driven by specialized industry demand. The range for Data Scientists in Baton Rouge runs from $89,000 to $149,000. 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 Mobile Developer in Baton Rouge earns $117,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Baton Rouge is Distinguished Engineer at $293,000
Common questions.
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