Director of Data Science.
Tampa.
$200,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$154,000 to $261,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Director of Data Sciences actually make in Tampa: $154,000 at the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $261,000 at the 75th. That is 7% below the national average. Tampa's economy combines a strong financial services sector with growing tech, healthcare, and defense industries. 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 $180,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$130,000
to $160,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$170,000
to $210,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$220,000
to $260,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$250,000
to $310,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $130,000 to the total package.
Base
$200,000
Equity
$70,000
Bonus
$44,000
Signing
$16,000
Estimated total: $330,000
How Tampa compares
Tampa, FL
$200,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$215,000
Tampa is $15,000 below
Director of Data Science salary by city
Salary by role in Tampa
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Director of Data Science roles in Tampa, here is what you are walking into. Tampa's economy combines a strong financial services sector with growing tech, healthcare, and defense industries. The city has attracted remote workers and corporate relocations seeking Florida's tax advantages. Tampa offers a favorable salary to cost of living ratio, with compensation levels that have risen significantly as the metro continues to grow. 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 Tampa, 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: florida has no state income tax, which is Tampa's biggest compensation advantage. There are no local income taxes either. Property taxes and insurance costs are the main financial considerations. When someone quotes you $200,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Frame your salary expectations against the no income tax benefit. Tampa employers know candidates are factoring in the tax savings, so be explicit about how it shapes your number. The range for Director of Data Sciences in Tampa runs from $154,000 to $261,000. 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 AI Strategy in Tampa earns $201,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Tampa is Chief AI Officer at $295,000
Common questions.
Director of Data Science salary in other cities
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