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.

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Salary range

25th Percentile

$99,000

per year

Median

$129,000

per year

75th Percentile

$166,000

per year

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

TechnologyBiotech & PharmaHigher EducationHealthcareGaming

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.

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.

Top paying employers for Data Scientists in Raleigh are typically large technology companies, financial institutions, and well funded startups. Company size, industry, and funding stage all influence compensation. Using Orbyt to track and compare multiple offers helps you identify the best total package.

Start by understanding the market range: $99,000 to $166,000 for Data Scientists in Raleigh. Research the specific company, prepare data points about your experience, and consider total compensation including equity, bonuses, and benefits. Orbyt's Salary Playbook provides personalized negotiation strategies based on your specific offer.

Data Scientist salary in other cities

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