Salary Data
Data Scientist Salary in Raleigh
$129,000
median salary, 1% below the national average
According to Orbyt's 2026 salary analysis, the average Data Scientist salary in Raleigh is $129,000. Salaries range from $99,000 (25th percentile) to $166,000 (75th percentile), adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living.
Salary range
How Raleigh compares
Raleigh, NC
$129,000
Cost of living: 1% below average
National Average
$130,000
Raleigh is $1,000 below
Data Scientist job market in Raleigh
Raleigh market overview
Raleigh sits at the heart of the Research Triangle, one of America's premier tech and life sciences corridors. Cisco, Red Hat, Epic Games, and numerous biotech firms drive strong demand for engineering, research, and product roles. The combination of top tier universities and moderate living costs creates an exceptionally favorable salary to expense ratio.
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 Raleigh
North Carolina's flat 4.5% income tax keeps the burden low. Raleigh has no city income tax, and the Triangle's affordable housing amplifies your take home purchasing power.
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 Raleigh
Negotiating in Raleigh
Cite Research Triangle talent competition in your negotiation. Employers here compete directly with each other and with remote offers, creating favorable leverage for candidates.