Data Scientists in North Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Data Scientists in North Carolina was $115,380 in 2024, nearly identical to the US median of $115,636. The gap is less than $300. For most practical purposes, this state pays at the national rate.
What the median hides is how wide the range runs. At the 10th percentile, the figure is $58,240. At the 90th, it reaches $173,170. Top earners make about three times what those just starting out make. That spread is typical for a role where a junior analyst and a principal research scientist can share the same job title on paper.
North Carolina's cost-of-living index sits at 95, meaning prices here run about 5% below the national baseline. On that adjustment, the $115,380 median stretches to roughly $121,400 in what the money actually buys. That narrows the gap with higher-paying states like California or Washington considerably, even before accounting for state income tax differences.
BLS projects employment for Data Scientists to grow 33.5% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as much faster than average. With 10,140 positions already in the state, North Carolina carries one of the larger existing bases for this occupation outside the coastal tech hubs. The Research Triangle concentration in Raleigh-Durham likely accounts for a significant share of that count, though the state total is the only figure BLS reports at this level.
Salary distribution
Where North Carolina data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,440 and $147,540, with a median of $119,090.
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Data Scientists pay by experience level in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 661 certified offers. The most common variant is Data Scientist at a median of $115,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | RELX, Inc. | 190 | $115,000 |
| Data Engineer | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 159 | $114,000 |
| Data Analyst | KFORCE INC. | 59 | $105,747 |
| Senior Manager, Advanced Data Analytics and Insights | Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 51 | $140,000 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 38 | $103,210 |
| Business Analyst | Fidelity Workplace Investing LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 37 | $91,583 |
| Director, Advanced Data Analytics and Insights | Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 36 | $153,733 |
| Analyst | DB Global Technology, Inc. | 31 | $103,000 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer | Amazon.com Services LLC | 23 | $129,854 |
| BI Analyst | Charter Communications, Inc. | 13 | $105,000 |
| Business Systems Analyst | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 13 | $107,016 |
| Sr. Clinical Data Manager | Fortrea Inc. | 11 | $112,466 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Data Scientists in North Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 1,181 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $107,016.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | RELX, Inc. | 530 | $107,016 |
| Finance and insurance | Fidelity Technology Group, LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 215 | $128,606 |
| Professional services | Credit Karma LLC | 168 | $120,000 |
| Manufacturing | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 110 | $125,500 |
| Retail and wholesale | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 92 | $130,021 |
| Healthcare | Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center | 23 | $105,000 |
| Education | Duke University | 14 | $85,074 |
| Transportation and logistics | Federal Express Corporation | 11 | $140,000 |
| Real estate | DIRECT CHASSISLINK, INC. | 8 | $110,000 |
| Energy and utilities | Ecolab Inc. | 5 | $118,000 |
| Nonprofit and civic | American Board of Pediatrics | 2 | $120,705 |
| Government and public sector | Adtalem Global Education Inc. | 2 | $105,000 |
| Media and entertainment | Live Nation Worldwide, Inc. | 1 | $140,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in North Carolina is $119,090.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The North Carolina median is -0.8% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,970 and the 90th-percentile at $172,830, 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.