Junior Data Scientist.
Oklahoma City.
$85,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$66,000 to $111,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Junior Data Scientists actually make in Oklahoma City: $66,000 at the 25th percentile, $85,000 at the median, and $111,000 at the 75th. That is 16% below the national average. Oklahoma City's economy is rooted in energy, aerospace, and military operations. 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 $77,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$55,000
to $68,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$72,000
to $89,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$94,000
to $111,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$106,000
to $132,000
Salary trend
+2% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $22,000 to the total package.
Base
$85,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $107,000
How Oklahoma City compares
Oklahoma City, OK
$85,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$101,000
Oklahoma City is $16,000 below
Junior Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Oklahoma City
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Junior Data Scientist offer in Oklahoma City, understand the terrain. 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. Junior Data Scientist compensation is driven by publication record, domain specialization, and whether the work involves production model training or applied research. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 12% in a typical year. Within tech-sector Junior Data Scientists specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 67%+ variance across the compensation band.
Junior Data Scientists progress Research Engineer → Senior → Staff → Principal → Distinguished over 8 to 15 years. Frontier-AI labs compress this ladder — a strong PhD can land at L5/Senior directly. The VP Research track diverges around year 10 for those who choose to lead labs. Junior Data Scientists specifically are entry-level; the first 2 to 3 years build foundational skills before the mid-level transition. 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. Total compensation for Junior Data Scientists runs roughly $113K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~12% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. At tech companies specifically, equity and sign-on are often the largest delta between offers — two roles with matching base can differ by $100K+ at total when equity is included. 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 $85,000, 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 Junior Data Scientists in Oklahoma City runs from $66,000 to $111,000. 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 Construction Manager in Oklahoma City earns $84,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Oklahoma City is Technical Fellow at $300,000
Common questions.
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