Entry Level Data Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Data Scientist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Data Scientist in the United States is $74,537 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,893 to $81,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,754
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,893 10% $63,754 90% $87,057 75% $81,090 $74,537 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Data Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,090 $6,758 $1,559 $39
Average $74,537 $6,211 $1,433 $36
25th Percentile $68,893 $5,741 $1,325 $33
Check out Entry Level Data Scientist Job Openings in the United States
Data Scientist Mid level

PLANET TECHNOLOGIES - WASHINGTON, DC

Data Scientist Level

Acclaim Technical Services - ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD

Data Scientist Level

IntelliGenesis LLC - ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD

Data Scientist Level

Arcfield - CHANTILLY, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Data Scientist Salaries

An Entry Level 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.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Data Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $74,537
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,141
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,735
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $77,053
  • Expert (over 8 years): $77,266
Levels Salary
Entry Level Entry Level Data Scientist$74,537
Intermediate Level Entry Level Data Scientist$75,141
Senior Level Entry Level Data Scientist$76,735
Specialist Level Entry Level Data Scientist$77,053
Expert Level Entry Level Data Scientist$77,266
$74,537 0 yr
$75,141 < 2 yrs
$76,735 2-4 yrs
$77,053 5-8 yrs
$77,266 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Data Scientists

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: $94,013
  • San Francisco: $93,089
  • Oakland: $91,024

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Data Scientist'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.33%
SQL 3.32%
Economics 1.42%
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 an Entry Level Data Scientist'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
$84,226
13%
Biochemistry
$82,736
11%
Inference
$80,499
8%
Chemistry
$80,499
8%
Predictive Analytics
$79,754
7%
Collaboration
$79,009
6%
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Entry Level Data Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level 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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Entry Level Data Scientist

Salaries for an Entry Level Data Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $68,564 in 2023 to around $67,902 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Data Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Data Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$68,564
2024
$68,265
2025
$67,902
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $68,564
2024 $68,265
2025 $67,902
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Entry Level Data Scientist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Entry Level Data Scientist

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Data Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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