What the numbers say
The median Data Scientist in California earned $136,800 in 2024, about 18% above the US median of $115,636. The mean came in higher at $155,450, which tells us a group of top earners pulls the average well above what most people in the role actually make.
The spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles runs from $73,390 to $221,080. Top earners in California make roughly three times what the lowest-paid 10th do. That kind of range usually reflects real differences in seniority, specialization, and the industry doing the hiring, not noise in the data.
California's overall cost of living runs about 15% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the $21,164 nominal premium over the US median shrinks to something closer to $3,900 in real purchasing terms. The headline number is real; what it buys is closer to the national figure than it first appears.
BLS projects employment for Data Scientists to grow 33.5% between 2024 and 2034, a rate it classifies as much faster than average. California's 36,850 jobs in this occupation represent one of the largest state-level concentrations in the country, concentrated in technology, finance, and health care sectors that have absorbed the bulk of recent hiring.
Salary distribution
Where California data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $103,360 and $186,820, with a median of $141,590.
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Data Scientists pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Data Scientists specialties in California
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 1,224 certified offers. The most common variant is Data Scientist at a median of $175,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | Meta Platforms, Inc | 469 | $175,000 |
| Data Engineer | Amazon.com Services LLC | 137 | $165,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | Adobe Inc. | 119 | $192,200 |
| Software Engineer, Machine Learning | LINKEDIN CORPORATION | 113 | $174,304 |
| Manager, Advanced Analytics | WAL-MART ASSOCIATES, INC. | 101 | $167,586 |
| Data Analyst | TT Commerce & Global Services LLC | 56 | $124,500 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | Applied Materials, Inc | 55 | $139,690 |
| Product Manager | Adobe Inc. | 45 | $171,991 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer | Amazon.com Services LLC | 42 | $134,650 |
| Business Analyst | Amazon.com Services LLC | 40 | $121,766 |
| Data Science Engineer | Adobe Inc. | 24 | $183,500 |
| Machine Learning | Apple Inc. | 23 | $170,068 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Data Scientists in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 1,993 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $178,363.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Adobe Inc. | 1,086 | $178,363 |
| Manufacturing | Apple Inc. | 255 | $164,403 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 207 | $143,000 |
| Professional services | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 196 | $161,961 |
| Finance and insurance | PayPal, Inc. | 155 | $169,325 |
| Healthcare | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | 30 | $127,910 |
| Education | The University of Southern California | 26 | $104,006 |
| Transportation and logistics | Federal Express Corporation | 12 | $169,322 |
| Real estate | Turo, Inc. | 9 | $158,808 |
| Energy and utilities | Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. | 7 | $115,170 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Open Avenues Foundation | 6 | $109,158 |
| Media and entertainment | Amazon Studios, LLC | 4 | $175,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+33.5%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for data scientists in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$185,080
- San Francisco$170,110
- San Diego$130,990
- Los Angeles$129,740
- Riverside$112,910
- Sacramento$103,700
Compare Data Scientists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in California is $141,590.
- How does California compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The California median is +18.0% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,480 and the 90th-percentile at $224,920, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Data Scientists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 33.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Data Scientists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.