California ranks 3rd of 50 states and D.C. for data scientists pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($158,760) by $21,960 — a 16% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $73,390 to $221,080 — a $147,690 spread, 13% wider than the national $130,760 range.
Data Scientists are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.35 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.35× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $73,390 | $35.29 |
| 25th percentile | $98,460 | $47.34 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $136,800 | $65.77 |
| 75th percentile | $177,480 | $85.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,080 | $106.29 |
| Mean (average) | $155,450 | $74.74 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $136,800 | n/a |
| Washington | $158,760 | +16% |
| District of Columbia | $137,120 | +0% |
| Massachusetts | $132,250 | -3% |
| New Jersey | $130,370 | -5% |
| Virginia | $126,070 | -8% |
| New York | $125,400 | -8% |
| Maryland | $124,340 | -9% |
| Hawaii | $123,880 | -9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $136,500 | 68,800 |
| Computer Network Architects | $138,350 | 19,800 |
| Sales Engineers | $134,990 | 6,980 |
| Art Directors | $133,930 | 12,540 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,580 | 7,570 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,330 | 326,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientists salary in California?
The mean data scientists salary in California is $155,450 per year. The median (middle) salary is $136,800 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Data Scientists in California?
Entry-level data scientistss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $73,390 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $98,460 per year.
What is the highest Data Scientists salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $221,080 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $177,480 per year.
How does the California Data Scientists salary compare to the national average?
The median data scientists salary in California is $136,800, which is +22% above national average of $112,590.