Data Scientists in Louisiana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Data Scientists in Louisiana earned a median annual wage of $70,530 in 2024, about 39% below the US median of $115,636. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread within the state is narrower than the national picture suggests. The 10th percentile came in at $49,920, the 90th at $93,260. Top earners here make roughly 1.9 times what bottom earners make, which is a relatively compressed range for a technical role where experience and specialization tend to drive big differences elsewhere.
Louisiana's cost of living runs below the US baseline, with an overall index of 92.4. Adjusting for that, the median wage translates to about $76,300 in national-baseline dollars. That closes the gap somewhat, but a meaningful premium still exists in favor of the national figure.
The outlook is strong. BLS projects employment for Data Scientists to grow 33.5% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as much faster than average. With only around 1,120 people currently employed in this role across the state, that growth rate starts from a small base, so actual job additions will be modest in absolute terms.
The wage gap relative to national figures likely reflects the kinds of industries that hire Data Scientists here. Louisiana's economy leans toward energy, petrochemicals, and state government, sectors that generally pay less for analytical talent than the finance and technology industries concentrated in coastal metros. That structural difference shows up clearly in the wage data.
Salary distribution
Where Louisiana data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,560 and $110,130, with a median of $78,760.
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Data Scientists pay by experience level in Louisiana
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.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Metro-level salary data for data scientists in major Louisiana metropolitan areas.
- New Orleans$98,390
Compare Data Scientists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Louisiana with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in Louisiana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in Louisiana is $78,760.
- How does Louisiana compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The Louisiana median is -34.4% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in Louisiana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $53,050 and the 90th-percentile at $128,210, 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.