📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Data Scientist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$98,298
per year
Median
$94,185
per year
Hourly
$47.26
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,799
25th Percentile — Junior$82,357
50th Percentile — Median$94,185
75th Percentile — Senior$124,114
90th Percentile — Top Earners$139,796
💡 Top-earning Data Scientists in North Carolina make up to $139,796 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$70.7k
2021
$75.6k
2022
$80.7k
2023
$86.2k
2024
$92.0k
2025
$98.3k
2026
📈 Data Scientist salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 6.8% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Data Scientist Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $94,366 -4.0% Very High
Raleigh $96,332 -2.0% Very High
Greensboro $88,468 -10.0% Very High
Durham $95,349 -3.0% Very High
Winston-Salem $85,519 -13.0% Very High
🔍
Data Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Data Scientists. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $98,298 per year, North Carolina's Data Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $63,799–$82,357, while experienced Data Scientists can command $124,114–$139,796.

Looking ahead, the Data Scientist profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 6.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Data Scientist salary in North Carolina is $98,298 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $108,020.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Data Scientists the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Data Scientist employment.
  • At $98,298/year, North Carolina Data Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $108,020/year.