Junior Data Steward.

Where do you fall?

Salary trend

Estimated total: $91,000

Here is what the Junior Data Steward market actually looks like in Houston. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. Junior Data Steward compensation is driven by years of experience, specialization depth, and the industry domain. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 5% in a typical year. Within tech-sector Junior Data Stewards specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 66%+ variance across the compensation band.

Junior Data Stewards progress from entry to senior over 5 to 8 years, with lead and management levels requiring 10+ years and demonstrated cross-functional scope. Junior Data Stewards specifically are entry-level; the first 2 to 3 years build foundational skills before the mid-level transition. In Houston, 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. Total compensation for Junior Data Stewards runs roughly $78K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~5% 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: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $75,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Junior Data Stewards in Houston runs from $59,000 to $97,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Junior Data Steward offer to see where you stand in Houston.

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

You have the data.

Now own the conversation.