Data Scientist.
Columbia.
$121,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$93,000 to $156,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Data Scientists actually make in Columbia: $93,000 at the 25th percentile, $121,000 at the median, and $156,000 at the 75th. That is 7% below the national average. Columbia is South Carolina's capital and home to Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina, and a growing insurance and financial services sector. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
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
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $54,000 to the total package.
Base
$121,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $175,000
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 Columbia compares
Columbia, SC
$121,000
Cost of living: 10% below average
National Average
$130,000
Columbia is $9,000 below
Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Columbia
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Data Scientist roles in Columbia, here is what you are walking into. Columbia is South Carolina's capital and home to Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina, and a growing insurance and financial services sector. The city offers very affordable living and stable government and military employment. Tech growth is accelerating as remote work brings new residents. 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 Columbia, 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: south Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. Columbia has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by very affordable housing and living costs. 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: Leverage government and military contractor pay scales. Columbia employers align with federal benchmarks which often exceed local private sector rates. The range for Data Scientists in Columbia runs from $93,000 to $156,000. 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 Product Manager in Columbia earns $122,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Columbia is Distinguished Engineer at $306,000
Common questions.
Data Scientist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Columbia
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