Director of Data Science.
Baltimore.
$239,000
median salary, 11% above the national average
$184,000 to $311,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Director of Data Science pay in Baltimore ranges from $184,000 to $311,000 in 2026. The median is $239,000, 11% above the national average. Baltimore's economy is anchored by Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, one of the largest employers in the state. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $215,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$155,000
to $191,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$203,000
to $251,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$263,000
to $311,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$299,000
to $370,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $156,000 to the total package.
Base
$239,000
Equity
$84,000
Bonus
$53,000
Signing
$19,000
Estimated total: $395,000
How Baltimore compares
Baltimore, MD
$239,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$215,000
Baltimore is $24,000 above
Director of Data Science salary by city
Salary by role in Baltimore
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Director of Data Science offer in Baltimore, understand the terrain. Baltimore's economy is anchored by Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, one of the largest employers in the state. The city has strong cybersecurity, defense, and biotech sectors, benefiting from proximity to NSA, Fort Meade, and NIH. The port of Baltimore also drives significant logistics and trade employment. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Directors overseeing ML engineers alongside data scientists earn more than those managing analytics-only teams. Industry premiums are highest in fintech, adtech, and healthcare AI where model accuracy directly drives revenue.
Senior data scientists earn $140,000 to $175,000. Data science managers advance to $165,000 to $210,000. Directors start at $195,000 to $250,000. Senior directors overseeing multiple teams earn $245,000 to $300,000. VP of data science or CDO is the next step at $260,000 to $380,000. In Baltimore, 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 $80,000 to $300,000 in annualized value. Cash bonuses of 15 to 25% of base tied to model performance metrics and business impact are typical. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $75,000 are common due to talent scarcity. And on the tax side: maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75%, and Baltimore City adds a local income tax of 3.2%. The combined burden is among the higher ones, but federal and defense salaries compensate. When someone quotes you $239,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is extremely valuable in the Baltimore corridor. Cleared professionals earn 20 to 30% more, and the NSA and defense contractor presence drives constant demand. The range for Director of Data Sciences in Baltimore runs from $184,000 to $311,000. 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 Director of Engineering in Baltimore earns $240,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Baltimore is Chief AI Officer at $345,000
Common questions.
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