RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Data Scientists salary: Alabama vs California

Occupation

Data Scientists in California earn a median of $141,590. In Alabama, $103,120. After cost-of-living, the gap is 9.2% — not 27.2%.

Nominal pay gap
-27.2%
Alabama vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-9.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Alabama

Data Scientists

Median
$103,120
p25
$74,140
p75
$127,660
p10
$59,130
p90
$161,590
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-73%
See full breakdown for Alabama

California

Data Scientists

Median
$141,590
p25
$103,360
p75
$186,820
p10
$77,480
p90
$224,920
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-39%
See full breakdown for California

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.