Salary Data

Data Scientist Salary in Dallas

$131,000

median salary, 1% above the national average

According to Orbyt's 2026 salary analysis, the average Data Scientist salary in Dallas is $131,000. Salaries range from $101,000 (25th percentile) to $170,000 (75th percentile), adjusted for Dallas's cost of living.

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Salary range

25th Percentile

$101,000

per year

Median

$131,000

per year

75th Percentile

$170,000

per year

How Dallas compares

Dallas, TX

$131,000

Cost of living: 1% above average

National Average

$130,000

Dallas is $1,000 above

Data Scientist job market in Dallas

Dallas market overview

Dallas is a major corporate hub with dozens of Fortune 500 headquarters spanning telecom, finance, defense, and retail. The metro's low cost of living and no state income tax make it a magnet for corporate relocations. Tech salaries in Dallas have risen quickly, particularly in fintech, cybersecurity, and enterprise software.

What drives Data Scientist salaries

Statistical depth, industry vertical, and the ability to translate models into business impact are the biggest levers. Data scientists who can deploy production ML models earn significantly more than those focused solely on analysis. Specialization in NLP, computer vision, or causal inference commands additional premiums.

Beyond base salary

Total compensation

Equity grants at tech companies add $20,000 to $100,000+ annually, especially at ML focused firms. Bonuses of 10 to 20% are standard. Some companies offer research stipends, conference travel budgets, and compute credits as additional perks.

Tax considerations in Dallas

Texas levies no state income tax, giving Dallas workers a meaningful take home pay advantage. Local property taxes are above the national average, typically around 2% of assessed value.

Career progression

Entry level data scientists with a master's degree start at $95,000 to $120,000. Mid level roles reach $130,000 to $170,000 after three years. Senior data scientists earn $170,000 to $220,000, while principal or staff level scientists at top firms exceed $250,000 in total compensation.

Top industries in Dallas

TelecomFinancial ServicesDefense & AerospaceHealthcareRetail

Negotiating in Dallas

Highlight the corporate headquarters density in DFW. Employers here compete fiercely for talent and often match or exceed offers from companies across the metroplex.

Data Scientist salary FAQ

A PhD adds roughly $15,000 to $30,000 to starting salary and opens doors to research scientist roles that require deep specialization. However, the three to five years spent in a PhD program represent significant opportunity cost. Industry experience can close this gap over time.

Machine learning engineering and deep learning specializations currently command the highest premiums, followed by NLP and computer vision. Data scientists who can own the full pipeline from research to production deployment are especially valuable and can negotiate 20 to 30% above standard offers.

According to Orbyt's 2026 salary analysis, the average Data Scientist salary in Dallas, TX is $131,000. Entry level positions start around $101,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,000 or more depending on skills, company size, and industry.

Dallas offers competitive compensation for Data Scientists relative to its cost of living. The local job market, industry presence, and quality of life all factor into whether Dallas is the right fit. Consider using Orbyt's Salary Playbook to compare offers across cities and factor in your personal financial situation.

Data Scientist salary in other cities

Other salaries in Dallas

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