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State comparison · 2025

Data Scientists salary: California vs South Carolina

Occupation

Data Scientists in California earn a median of $141,590. In South Carolina, $91,990. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30.3% — not 53.9%.

Nominal pay gap
+53.9%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+30.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

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

South Carolina

Data Scientists

Median
$91,990
p25
$78,550
p75
$123,880
p10
$61,600
p90
$156,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
93.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-40%
See full breakdown for South Carolina

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.