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Data Science Junior Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Science Junior in the United States is $72,272 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,315
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,793 to $78,576
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,804
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Science Junior Salaries

A Data Science Junior'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 Science Junior Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Science Junior'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): $72,653
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $88,892
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,719
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $129,586
  • Expert (over 8 years): $173,774
Levels Salary
Data Scie... Level Data Science Junior$72,653
Data Scie... Level Data Science Junior$88,892
Data Scie... Level Data Science Junior$113,719
Data Scie... Level Data Science Junior$129,586
Data Scie... Level Data Science Junior$173,774
View as Graph

How Do Data Science Junior 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 Science Juniors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $80,020.
  • California: $79,716.
  • Massachusetts: $78,654.

Top Paying Cities for Data Science Juniors

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: $91,157
  • San Francisco: $90,159
  • Oakland: $88,259

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.33% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 3.32% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.42% 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 11.33%
SQL 3.32%
Economics 1.42%
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 Science Junior's salary.

  • Molecular Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Biochemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Molecular Biology $81,667
13%
Biochemistry $80,222
11%
Inference $78,054
8%
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Data Science Junior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Science Junior 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 Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Data Science Junior positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Science Junior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Science Junior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$93,954$45.030%
Pharmaceuticals$93,954$45.030%
Internet$90,340$43.025%
Insurance$86,727$42.020%
Energy & Utilities$83,113$40.015%

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

Understanding how a Data Science Junior'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 September 01, 2026
$66,793
Average $72,272/year
$78,576
$5,566
Average $6,023/month
$6,548
$1,284
Average $1,390/week
$1,511
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,576 $6,548 $1,511 $38
Average $72,272 $6,023 $1,390 $35
25th Percentile $66,793 $5,566 $1,284 $32

Most common benefits for Data Science Junior

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

Common company salaries for Data Science Junior

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

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FAQ about Data Science Junior

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Science Junior 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.)

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