Entry-level Data Scientist salary in Athens, GA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, FY2025–FY2026.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $55,994 |
| 25th | $61,357 |
| 50th (median) | $70,140 |
| 75th | $72,759 |
| 90th | $74,340 |
Cost of living
Athens's median entry-level Data Scientist salary of $70,140 is worth about $75,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Athens = 93.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Data Scientists in the Athens, GA area earned a median of $76,090 in May 2025 (30 employed). The H-1B median here is $70,140, 8% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia; OGE | too few | 9 |
| Pbr | too few | 2 |
| University of Georgia | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $70,140 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 4 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $55,994 | $70,140 | 14 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.