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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Data Scientist in Virginia is $96,657 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Research Data Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Research Data Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $108,728 | $9,061 | $2,091 | $52 |
| Average | $96,657 | $8,055 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $6,994 | $1,614 | $40 |
MDW Associates - Arlington, VA
Hive Group LLC - McLean, VA
Bigbear.ai - McLean, VA
Unissant - Ashburn, VA
A Research Data Scientist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research Data Scientist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical ... Level Research Data Scientist | $60,431 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Data Scientist | $69,927 |
| Research ... Level Research Data Scientist | $99,308 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Data Scientist | $107,280 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Data Scientist | $159,717 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Research Data Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Research Data Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Research Data Scientist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Data Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $144,985 | $70.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $115,988 | $56.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Research Data Scientist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $108,728 | $9,061 | $2,091 | $52 |
| Average | $96,657 | $8,055 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $6,994 | $1,614 | $40 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Data Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
MI Technical Solutions
Chesapeake, VA
MI Technical Solutions | Chesapeake, VA
Job Description. Job Description. MI Technical Solutions is a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) comprised of a broad range of talented employees that provi... more
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Closure Technologies
Chantilly, VA
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Job Description. Job Description. As a Data Scientist, you will focus on using advanced techniques to solve the Sponsor's most challenging data problems. R... more
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@Orchard
Reston, VA
@Orchard | Reston, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Data Scientist. Reston, VA. Active TS/SCI with Poly Clearance required. . @Orchard is retained by a top geospatial techno... more
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GRVTY
Chantilly, VA
GRVTY | Chantilly, VA
Job Description. Job Description. What Impact You'll Have. Our team is charged with taking commercial and academic innovation high-side, in domains of Arti... more
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Echelon Insights
Alexandria, VA
Echelon Insights | Alexandria, VA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. The Data Team is the technical and analytical engine for all quantitative research, data science, and vot... more
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LinTech Global
Arlington, VA
LinTech Global | Arlington, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Dexian Government Solutions is recruiting for a Data Scientist to support our contract at the USPSOIG in Arlington, Virgi... more
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