Director of Data Science.
Oklahoma City.
$175,000
median salary, 19% below the national average
$134,000 to $228,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Director of Data Science offer in Oklahoma City, OK, here is the reality: $134,000 to $228,000, with $175,000 as the midpoint. 19% below the national average. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $157,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$114,000
to $140,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$149,000
to $184,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$193,000
to $228,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$219,000
to $271,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $114,000 to the total package.
Base
$175,000
Equity
$61,000
Bonus
$39,000
Signing
$14,000
Estimated total: $289,000
How Oklahoma City compares
Oklahoma City, OK
$175,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$215,000
Oklahoma City is $40,000 below
Director of Data Science salary by city
Salary by role in Oklahoma City
What you should know
Here is what the Director of Data Science market actually looks like in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City's economy is rooted in energy, aerospace, and military operations. Tinker Air Force Base is a massive employer, and the city's energy sector creates strong demand for engineering and technical roles. The extremely low cost of living means salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. 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 Oklahoma City, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% 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 $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: oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75%. Oklahoma City has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with very affordable housing creates strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $175,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage energy sector expertise. Oklahoma City employers pay competitive rates for petroleum engineers, geoscientists, and energy technology specialists. The range for Director of Data Sciences in Oklahoma City runs from $134,000 to $228,000. 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 AI Financial Engineer in Oklahoma City earns $176,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Oklahoma City is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
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