Heard that data scientists make six figures right out of school? They can, but it helps to also be realistic with expectations. Entry-level data scientist pay is all over the map, depending on where you work, what industry you're in, and how big the company is. Some new grads pull in $165,000 at tech companies in San Francisco, while others start around $79,000 in smaller cities. The thing is: your base salary is only part of it. There's money in bonuses and stock options (and you can always boost your earnings by negotiating better than most candidates do).
There’s more than salary to recommend data science, as well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 34% increase in data scientist jobs by 2034. And the best part is that you don’t need a technical bachelor’s degree to make a switch to this career path.
Browse the data science salaries below to see what you can expect to earn in entry-level data engineering and machine learning roles.
What is the average salary for an entry-level data scientist?
The range of average entry-level salaries for data scientists starts at $79,000 a year in the US, according to Glassdoor as of the time of this writing. This can go up to $131,000 depending on the factors we mentioned in the intro. But again, don’t forget that there are other pay structures that can bump up your earnings as a data scientist. Glassdoor also says that additional pay in this role can range from $24,000 – $44,000.
Your skill set, location, breadth of experience, and the quality of your portfolio will all influence how much money you earn. Data scientists salaries can fluctuate by industry. And you’ll be compensated differently depending on whether you’re a full-time employee or a contractor.
Entry-level data scientist salaries
By role
The salaries below cover common entry level data science titles in the United States, per Glassdoor’s stats on base pay.
By industry
Data scientists work across all industries. Though tech and finance offer some of the highest starting salaries for data scientists, don’t rule out other industries. Broaden your search and you may find a less competitive industry in which you can launch your career and tackle the problems that matter to you. The salaries below are median base pay ranges for entry-level data science jobs in the US, per Glassdoor.
By location
Half of all tech employees work remotely, but if you’re looking for an office role, these five states employ the highest number of data scientists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Be sure to also check out our list of the 10 best states for tech professionals). The salaries listed below are base pay ranges for entry-level data scientists in their respective states across all industries, as per Glassdoor.
Top companies for entry-level data scientist salaries
According to Glassdoor, the following companies pay the highest salaries to data scientists just entering the field:
- IBM
- MassMutual
- Ace American Insurance
- Allstate
- Accenture
- Booz Allen Hamilton
Should I choose a bootcamp or a bachelor's degree to get into data science?
Glassdoor doesn’t distinguish between data scientist salaries for entry-level bootcamp grads vs bachelor’s degree holders. In fact, it’s still hard to find definitive data about who earns more.
Because of the demand for skilled data scientists, bootcamp grads can command salaries similar to college grads with computer science degrees.
Beyond salary, consider what is right for your goals and life stage.
A data science bootcamp can often be completed in less than a year (TripleTen’s takes nine months!). It’s also much cheaper than a college degree. And once you find your first role in the field, your earning potential will go up as you gain skills and experience.
What skills do entry-level data scientists need to get hired?
Entry-level data scientists need to nail three core technical areas to be competitive: programming, math, and data visualization. You've got to know Python and R, but Python especially, since it's versatile for machine learning and data analysis. SQL is just as critical because you'll be querying databases constantly in actual jobs. Beyond programming, you need solid foundations in statistics and probability, plus a familiarity with machine learning algorithms like regression and classification. Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI help too.
Less technical but equally important: exploratory data analysis, data manipulation with libraries like Pandas and NumPy, and being able to explain complex findings to people who aren't technical. According to those in the know on Reddit, new data scientists often miss this. That soft skill makes a huge difference in how well you do and how far you go.
How to boost your data scientist salary
If you’re a career-switcher interested in data science, take the time to pick the right bootcamp. Choose one that has industry ties and can not only teach you the right skills, but that can also offer job search support as well as connections to alums and industry partners. A well-respected bootcamp with name recognition boosts your chances of landing a great first job.
When Rachelle was laid off from her role in tourism sales, she initially did a six-month data science bootcamp that landed her an entry-level job in the field. But in order to grow her career and salary, she needed more. After completing TripleTen’s rigorous bootcamp, she was able to level up and land a data analyst role at Spotify.
So keep her story in mind: as you progress in your career, your salary will increase. In fact, in their most recent surveys of bootcamp grads across multiple disciplines, Course Report found that “in their second jobs after bootcamp, alumni see a 23% salary lift.” So entry-level salaries are just the beginning.
Become a data scientist
With the high demand for data science professionals, a bootcamp can be a great investment.
If you’re thinking about making a switch to this career path, TripleTen can offer you the right support, from bootcamp to job search. Find out if a part-time AI/ML bootcamp is right for you.
FAQ
Can you get a data science job without a degree?
You can definitely break into data science without a traditional four-year degree. Research from 365 Data Science shows 55% of data scientists have a master's and about 20% have a bachelor's, but that leaves roughly 25% who took different routes. Plenty of companies hire from bootcamps, which run for less than a year and cost significantly less than university programs. What employers actually care about: a portfolio of real projects, solid technical skills in Python and SQL, and hands-on machine learning experience.
What are the highest-paying cities for entry-level data scientists?
Tech hubs pay the most for entry-level data scientists. San Francisco leads with average data scientist salaries around $180,000. Palo Alto averages $150,789, Seattle $144,365, Boston $127,153, and Washington, DC $126,186. Some smaller California tech cities pay even more. Soledad averages $246,851, Portola Valley $230,002, and Scotts Valley $213,549 for data science roles overall (though those numbers include more experienced people). For entry-level specifically, Vienna, VA tops out at $170,999, then Arlington, VA at $129,931, and Huntsville, AL at $119,448.
Does remote work impact entry-level data scientist salaries?
Remote data science jobs actually pay competitively, sometimes matching or beating on-site positions. The average remote data scientist makes $120,000 a year, with entry-level remote roles ranging from $70,000 to $95,000. What's interesting is that remote work gets rid of the geographic constraints that usually tie salaries to local markets. Remote jobs based in expensive areas like California or New York often pay at the high end, while companies hiring remotely from cheaper regions might offer somewhat lower base salaries.
What does total compensation include beyond base salary?
Total compensation often adds 15–40% more value in the form of bonuses that add 5–15% (performance bonuses or sign-on bonuses), and equity, RSUs or stock options, that add another 10–25% at tech companies.
Sign-on bonuses alone can be $5,000 to $15,000 at big tech firms and startups. RSUs (restricted stock units) are especially valuable at established tech companies — entry-level data scientists might get $20,000–$50,000 worth of RSUs that vest over four years, basically adding $5,000–$12,500 every year.
How much can entry-level data scientists negotiate their starting salary?
Negotiating can bump your starting salary by 10–20% or more, but lots of candidates just accept the first offer without saying anything. Start by researching salary databases like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary to figure out realistic ranges for your specific role, location, and company. Counter strategically: if they can't budge on base salary, negotiate for sign-on bonuses, more RSUs, higher 401(k) matching, professional development budgets, or remote work flexibility.
How quickly do entry-level data scientists see salary increases?
Most new data scientists see their first real raise (7–10%) within 12–18 months. In fact, while entry-level data scientists (with less than a year of experience) average $88,797 in total compensation, just beyond that threshold, their earnings jump to $101,055, about 14% more. Then, mid-level data scientists with around five years of experience typically make $204,000 – $220,000 total.
The biggest driver of fast salary growth is changing jobs: staying at the same company might get you a 3–5% raise annually, while switching companies every two to three years usually gets you 15–25% more each time.
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