📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Data Scientists Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$180,056
per year
Median
$170,727
per year
Hourly
$86.57
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$104,845
25th Percentile — Junior$142,302
50th Percentile — Median$170,727
75th Percentile — Senior$226,580
90th Percentile — Top Earners$260,144
💡 Top-earning Data Scientistss in California make up to $260,144 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$137.8k
2021
$145.3k
2022
$153.3k
2023
$161.8k
2024
$170.7k
2025
$180.1k
2026
📈 Data Scientists salaries in California have followed the national trend with 5.5% annual growth. The strong demand in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Data Scientists Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $279,087 +55.0% High
San Diego $266,483 +48.0% High
San Jose $309,696 +72.0% High
San Francisco $333,104 +85.0% High
Fresno $194,460 +8.0% High
Sacramento $219,668 +22.0% High
Long Beach $261,081 +45.0% High
Bakersfield $194,460 +8.0% High
Anaheim $255,680 +42.0% High
Santa Ana $252,078 +40.0% High
Riverside $230,472 +28.0% High
Stockton $212,466 +18.0% High
Irvine $279,087 +55.0% High
San Bernardino $212,466 +18.0% High
Modesto $201,663 +12.0% High
Fontana $219,668 +22.0% High
Moreno Valley $207,064 +15.0% High
Glendale $266,483 +48.0% High
Fremont $288,090 +60.0% High
🔍
Data Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Data Scientistss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $180,056 per year, California's Data Scientists salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $104,845–$142,302, while experienced Data Scientistss can command $226,580–$260,144.

Looking ahead, the Data Scientists profession in California is projected to grow at 5.5% 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
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Data Scientists salary in California is $180,056 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $126,800.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Data Scientistss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Data Scientists employment.
  • At $180,056/year, California Data Scientists salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $126,800/year.