Data Scientist salary
From 58,256 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 15-2051: Data Scientists
- Also filed as: Machine Learning Scientist
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 42% of Data Scientist filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: Amazon. 4,068 filings (7% of the total), median $140,000.
- Pay depends on the city. Among the 10 metro areas with the most filings, the median ranges from $100,000 in Dallas, TX to $174,304 in San Jose, CA.
- Median up 19% since FY2020. From $105,000 in FY2020 to $125,000 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Data Scientist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 58,256 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 15-2051, Data Scientists). The median base salary is $123,531, 1% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $96,034 and $158,642. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 42% of filings. New York, NY has the most filings (8,216), and Amazon is the employer that files the most (4,068).
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for Data Scientist
Amazon4,068 filings · 7%$140,000
Capital One1,560 filings · 3%$115,939
Microsoft1,532 filings · 3%$172,565
Walmart1,454 filings · 2%$150,000
Meta1,034 filings · 2%$191,131
Google999 filings · 2%$186,000
JPMorgan Chase772 filings · 1%$142,100
TikTok608 filings · 1%$195,576
Adobe432 filings · 1%$174,304
Apple398 filings · 1%$163,322
Employers with the most Data Scientist filings. Bar: share of all Data Scientist filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 20% of filings
Mid-level · 42% of filings
Senior · 21% of filings
Expert · 17% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $83,200 | 10,598 |
| Level II · Qualified | $110,739 | 22,050 |
| Level III · Experienced | $145,000 | 11,349 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $170,000 | 8,937 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Data Scientist pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 144 metro areas
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Data Scientist does
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
Typical tasks
- Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
- Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
- Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.
- Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
- Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.
- Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Data Scientists (15-2051.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Data Scientists), the median annual wage was $120,230 in May 2025, with 262,440 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $123,531, 3% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,995 | $67,240 |
| 25th percentile | $96,034 | $85,660 |
| Median | $123,531 | $120,230 |
| 75th percentile | $158,642 | $158,880 |
| 90th percentile | $190,000 | $199,130 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $80,995 |
| 25th | $96,034 |
| 50th (median) | $123,531 |
| 75th | $158,642 |
| 90th | $190,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $105,000 | $84,500 | $130,018 | 4,932 |
| FY2021 | $110,000 | $84,650 | $135,000 | 6,223 |
| FY2022 | $120,000 | $93,000 | $147,014 | 11,254 |
| FY2023 | $119,983 | $95,318 | $150,000 | 19,667 |
| FY2024 | $117,963 | $91,520 | $151,736 | 23,693 |
| FY2025 | $120,480 | $94,000 | $156,000 | 31,544 |
| FY2026 | $125,000 | $97,386 | $160,514 | 26,712 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Data Scientist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Data Scientist jobs is $123,531 (58,256 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $96,034 and $158,642.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $83,200. Level I accounts for 20% of Data Scientist filings.
Which city pays H-1B Data Scientists the most?
Among metro areas with at least 100 filings, San Jose, CA has the highest median base salary for Data Scientist jobs: $174,304 (4,476 filings).
Which employers file the most H-1B applications for Data Scientists?
Amazon (4,068), Capital One (1,560) and Microsoft (1,532) filed the most Data Scientist LCAs in FY2025–FY2026.
Do H-1B Data Scientists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($123,531) is 3% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($120,230, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.