As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Science Specialist in Virginia is $129,528 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Data Science Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Data Science Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,624 | $11,552 | $2,666 | $67 |
| Average | $129,528 | $10,794 | $2,491 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,492 | $10,208 | $2,356 | $59 |
Pfizer - Roanoke, VA
M.C. Dean - Sterling, VA
QTS Data Centers - Ashburn, VA
EMCOR Group - Richmond, VA
A Data Science Specialist'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 Data Science Specialist'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 |
|---|---|
| Data Scie... Level Data Science Specialist | $89,199 |
| Data Scie... Level Data Science Specialist | $114,094 |
| Data Scie... Level Data Science Specialist | $130,017 |
| Data Scie... Level Data Science Specialist | $174,331 |
| Data Scie... Level Data Science Specialist | $180,422 |
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 Data Science Specialists. 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 Data Science Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Data Science Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Science Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $194,293 | $93.0 | 50% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $181,340 | $87.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $174,863 | $84.0 | 35% |
| Business Services | $161,910 | $78.0 | 25% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $148,958 | $72.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Data Science Specialist'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 | $138,624 | $11,552 | $2,666 | $67 |
| Average | $129,528 | $10,794 | $2,491 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,492 | $10,208 | $2,356 | $59 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Science Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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