Predictive Modeling Specialist.
Los Angeles.
$168,000
median salary, 16% above the national average
$127,000 to $222,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Predictive Modeling Specialist pay in Los Angeles ranges from $127,000 to $222,000 in 2026. The median is $168,000, 16% above the national average. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. 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 $151,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$109,000
to $134,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$143,000
to $176,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$185,000
to $218,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$210,000
to $260,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $36,000 to the total package.
Base
$168,000
Equity
$20,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $204,000
How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$168,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$145,000
Los Angeles is $23,000 above
Predictive Modeling Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Los Angeles
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Predictive Modeling Specialist roles in Los Angeles, here is what you are walking into. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. Predictive modeling specialists earn salaries driven by the business value of their models and the complexity of domains they work in. Insurance, credit risk, and demand forecasting roles pay the highest premiums. Specialists who can quantify the ROI of their models in dollar terms negotiate 10 to 20% above standard offers.
Junior predictive modelers earn $110,000 to $130,000. Mid-level specialists with domain expertise reach $145,000 to $192,000. Senior modelers and lead scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while chief analytics officers and VP-level roles can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Financial services firms offer bonuses of 20 to 35% tied to model performance and business impact. Tech companies substitute equity worth 15 to 25% of base salary. Some insurers and lenders offer model performance bonuses based on predictive accuracy improvements. And on the tax side: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $168,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Predictive Modeling Specialists in Los Angeles runs from $127,000 to $222,000. 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 Compliance Analyst in Los Angeles earns $169,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Los Angeles is Chief AI Officer at $377,000
Common questions.
Predictive Modeling Specialist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Los Angeles
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