Mid-level Data Scientist salary in Santa Maria, CA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Santa Barbara, Goleta.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $95,495 |
| 25th | $104,367 |
| 50th (median) | $140,005 |
| 75th | $155,175 |
| 90th | $166,789 |
Cost of living
Santa Maria's median mid-level Data Scientist salary of $140,005 is worth about $128,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Santa Maria = 108.8).
Compared with all workers here
All Data Scientists in the Santa Maria, CA area earned a median of $113,990 in May 2025 (190 employed). The H-1B median here is $140,005, 23% higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | too few | 4 |
| Bonita Packing | too few | 3 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | 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 | too few | 3 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $140,005 | 14 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $95,493 | $140,005 | 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.