How does company size affect AI Data Scientist pay in Minneapolis?

Large enterprises in Minneapolis pay AI Data Scientists 10 to 20% more in base, but startups compensate with equity. The range of $121,000 to $208,000 spans both.

What is the entry level AI Data Scientist salary in Minneapolis?

Entry level AI Data Scientist positions in Minneapolis start near $121,000. Candidates with strong backgrounds negotiate toward $160,000.

What is the career path for a AI Data Scientist?

Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Minneapolis's COL multiplier amplifies compensation at senior levels.

What should I ask about benefits when interviewing for a AI Data Scientist in Minneapolis?

Ask about equity, bonuses, 401(k), health insurance, PTO, and remote flexibility. Benefits in Minneapolis can add $40,000+ to base salary.

AI Data Scientist.

Minneapolis.

$160,000

median salary, 5% above the national average

$121,000 to $208,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Minneapolis is 5% more expensive than the national average. For AI Data Scientists, that shakes out to a median of $160,000, with the full range spanning $121,000 to $208,000. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Know the range before you walk in.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$121,000

per year

Median

$160,000

per year

75th Percentile

$208,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$121,000$208,000

How Minneapolis compares

Minneapolis, MN

$160,000

Cost of living: 5% above average

National Average

$152,000

Minneapolis is $8,000 above

What you should know

The AI Data Scientist landscape in Minneapolis is not what most salary sites will tell you. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Industry sector matters significantly, with finance and healthcare paying 15 to 25% above retail or media. Proficiency in both Python and cloud ML platforms like SageMaker or Vertex AI is increasingly expected and adds 10 to 15% to offers.

Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Mid-level scientists with 3 to 5 years reach $152,000 to $198,000. Senior data scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while principal scientists and directors of data science can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Minneapolis, 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 at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Financial services firms substitute higher cash bonuses of 25 to 50% in lieu of equity, making total compensation comparable. And on the tax side: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $160,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for AI Data Scientists in Minneapolis runs from $121,000 to $208,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Minneapolis

Retail & E-CommerceHealthcareFinancial ServicesFood & AgricultureManufacturing

Negotiating in Minneapolis

Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat.

Common questions.

AI data scientists earn 10 to 20% more than traditional data scientists at equivalent levels. The premium comes from deeper ML engineering skills, experience with neural networks and large-scale model training, and the ability to deploy AI systems in production environments.

AWS Machine Learning Specialty, Google Professional ML Engineer, and Stanford or DeepLearning.AI credentials carry the most weight. However, demonstrated project impact and publications matter more than certifications, which typically add only 5 to 10% to initial offers.

In Minneapolis, large enterprises typically pay AI Data Scientists 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Total compensation at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. The $121,000 to $208,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Entry level AI Data Scientist positions in Minneapolis typically start near $121,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $160,000. Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree.

Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Mid-level scientists with 3 to 5 years reach $152,000 to $198,000. Senior data scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while principal scientists and directors of data science can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Minneapolis, each step up the ladder is amplified by the local cost of living multiplier, which means senior roles pay proportionally more than in lower cost markets.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Total compensation at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. In Minneapolis's market, these extras can add $40,000 or more on top of the base salary.