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Data Scientist III Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Scientist III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Scientist III in the United States is $115,543 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, a Data Scientist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $133,946
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,859 to $125,176
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,042
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Scientist III Salaries

A Data Scientist III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Data Scientist III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Scientist III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Data Scientist I (0-2 years): $73,822
  • Data Scientist II (2-4 years): $90,325
  • Data Scientist III (4-7 years): $115,543
  • Data Scientist IV (7+ years): $131,667
  • Data Scientist V (7-10 years): $176,554
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Data Scientist I0-2 years$73,822
Data Scientist II2-4 years$90,325
Data Scientist III4-7 years$115,543
Data Scientist IV7+ years$131,667
Data Scientist V7-10 years$176,554
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How Do Data Scientist IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Data Scientist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $127,929.
  • California: $127,444.
  • Massachusetts: $125,745.

Top Paying Cities for Data Scientist III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $145,734
  • San Francisco: $144,139
  • Oakland: $141,101

What Skills Can Increase a Data Scientist III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.56% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.21%
Computer Science 3.56%
Economics 1.5%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Data Scientist III's salary.

  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Big Data: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Inference $120,165
4%
Commitment $117,854
2%
Big Data $117,854
2%
Get Latest Data

Data Scientist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Data Scientist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,344. While startup companies pay approximate $109,422.

Data Scientist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,422
Growth Stage 51~500 $115,726
Established 501~5000 $124,904
Enterprise 5000+ $129,344

Data Scientist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Scientist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Data Scientist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Scientist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Data Scientist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$138,652$67.020%

Data Scientist III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Scientist III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$105,859
Average $115,543/year
$125,176
$8,822
Average $9,629/month
$10,431
$2,036
Average $2,222/week
$2,407
$51
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,176 $10,431 $2,407 $60
Average $115,543 $9,629 $2,222 $56
25th Percentile $105,859 $8,822 $2,036 $51

Data Scientist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Data Scientist III

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Advancement

For a Data Scientist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Data Scientist IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,667 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Data Scientist III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Data Scientist III

Here are companies hiring for Data Scientist III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Scientist III

1. Where can a Data Scientist III earn the most?

A Data Scientist III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Data Scientist III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Data Scientist III is $145,734.

2. What is the highest pay for Data Scientist III?

The highest pay for Data Scientist III is $133,946.

3. What is the lowest pay for Data Scientist III?

The lowest pay for Data Scientist III is $97,042.

4. What are the responsibilities of Data Scientist III?

Collects, analyzes, and interprets large data sets to identify trends, patterns, and provide key business insights. Performs data mining, cleaning, and aggregation processes to prepare data, implement data models, conduct analysis, and develop databases. Develops insights and reports from multiple structured and unstructured data sources using programming, statistical, and analytical techniques and tools. Maintains continuous collaboration with teams to understand the underlying purpose, focus, and objective of each data analysis project to ensure alignment and support. Designs, develops, and implements the most valuable data-driven solutions for the organization. May require a master's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Scientist III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Scientist III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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