Entry-level Data Scientist salary in Columbus, IN
Based on 12 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Columbus, IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,394 |
| 25th | $67,376 |
| 50th (median) | $79,400 |
| 75th | $92,500 |
| 90th | $105,321 |
Cost of living
Columbus's median entry-level Data Scientist salary of $79,400 is worth about $85,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Columbus = 93.0).
Compared with all workers here
All Data Scientists in the Columbus, IN area earned a median of $94,700 in May 2025 (40 employed). The H-1B median here is $79,400, 16% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Material Handling | too few | 4 |
| Cummins | too few | 3 |
| LER TechForce | 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 | $79,400 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $86,400 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $96,013 | 20 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 3 |
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 | $57,221 | $79,400 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $73,050 | $86,400 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $96,013 | $96,013 | 20 |
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.