Data Science Intern Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Science Intern make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Science Intern in the United States is $72,826 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,975
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,039 to $79,185
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,681
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Key Factors That Influence Data Science Intern Salaries

A Data Science Intern'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Data Science Intern Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Science Intern'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $73,158
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,598
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,573
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,262
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,156
Levels Salary
Data Scie... Level Data Science Intern$73,158
IT System... Level Data Science Intern$86,598
IT System... Level Data Science Intern$107,573
IT System... Level Data Science Intern$127,262
IT System... Level Data Science Intern$146,156

Top Paying Cities for Data Science Interns

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: $91,855
  • San Francisco: $90,850
  • Oakland: $88,935

What Skills Can Increase a Data Science Intern's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.73% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • ERP (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.73%
Installation 1.87%
ERP 1.28%

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 Science Intern's salary.

  • Billing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Billing $80,837
11%
Process Improvement $76,467
5%
Leadership $75,739
4%

Data Science Intern Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Science Intern roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Data Science Intern positions in MFG Durable or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Science Intern as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Science Intern

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$94,674$46.030%
Aerospace & Defense$91,032$44.025%
Energy & Utilities$87,391$42.020%
Media$83,750$40.015%
Business Services$80,109$39.010%

How Education impacts a Data Science Intern's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Data Science Interns enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Data Science Intern with a Associate's Degree is between $67,935 and $71,918).

Data Science Intern Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Data Science Intern
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 8.6%
Associates 11.3%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 21.0%
Doctorate 0.9%

Data Science Intern Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Science Intern'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 November 01, 2026
$68,039
Average $72,826/year
$79,185
$5,670
Average $6,069/month
$6,599
$1,308
Average $1,401/week
$1,523
$33
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,185 $6,599 $1,523 $38
Average $72,826 $6,069 $1,401 $35
25th Percentile $68,039 $5,670 $1,308 $33

Most common benefits for Data Science Intern

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

Common company salaries for Data Science Intern

Here are companies hiring for Data Science Intern and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Science Intern

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Science Intern?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Science Intern roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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