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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Data Scientist in California is $127,301 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Staff Data Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Staff Data Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,006 | $11,501 | $2,654 | $66 |
| Average | $127,301 | $10,608 | $2,448 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,860 | $9,738 | $2,247 | $56 |
Ceribell, Inc - San Francisco, CA
Ceribell, Inc - San Jose, CA
Illumina - Coronado, CA
Pomelo Care - San Francisco, CA
A Staff 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 Staff 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 |
|---|---|
| Data Scie... Level Staff Data Scientist | $80,831 |
| Data Scie... Level Staff Data Scientist | $98,901 |
| Staff Dat... Level Staff Data Scientist | $126,514 |
| Data Scie... Level Staff Data Scientist | $144,169 |
| Data Scie... Level Staff Data Scientist | $193,317 |
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 Staff 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 Staff Data Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Staff Data Scientist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Data Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $152,761 | $73.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Staff 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 | $138,006 | $11,501 | $2,654 | $66 |
| Average | $127,301 | $10,608 | $2,448 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,860 | $9,738 | $2,247 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff Data Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Grindr
San Francisco, CA
Grindr | San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
GoFundMe | San Francisco, CA
Staff Data Scientist, PricingGoFundMe is the world's most powerful community for good, dedicated to helping people help each other. By uniting individuals ... more
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San Francisco, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. About Taskrabbit. Taskrabbit is a marketplace platform that conveniently connects people with Taskers to handle everyday ... more
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Carlsbad, CA
Tilt | Carlsbad, CA
Join the Tilt teamAt Tilt (formerly Empower), we see a side of people that traditional lenders miss.Our mobile-first products and machine learning-powered ... more
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Zoox
Foster City, CA
Zoox | Foster City, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Data Scientist to join our team and play a pivotal role in developi... more
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Tilt
National City, CA
Tilt | National City, CA
A leading fintech company is seeking a Staff Data Scientist to develop machine learning models that enhance financial products.The ideal candidate will hav... more
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