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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates put the median annual wage for data scientists at $112,590 in May 2024 and $120,230 in May 2025. That is a nominal increase of $7,640, or about 6.8%—not an inflation-adjusted measure. The job outlook is also strong in both BLS projection vintages, but each covers a different ten-year period rather than measuring hiring in 2024 or 2025.
How did data scientist pay change from 2024 to 2025?
The BLS median annual wage rose from $112,590 in May 2024 to $120,230 in May 2025. The difference is $7,640, about 6.8% in nominal terms. Because these are wage estimates from two different reference months, the comparison does not show how purchasing power changed after inflation.
A median divides the occupation in half: half of workers earned more and half earned less. It is not an entry-level salary, an average offer, or a guarantee of what an individual will earn.
| BLS wage estimate | Median annual wage | Lowest 10% earned less than | Highest 10% earned more than |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $112,590 | $63,650 | $194,410 |
| May 2025 | $120,230 | $67,240 | $199,130 |
These figures are for the BLS occupational category “Data Scientists” (SOC 15-2051), not every job involving analytics, machine learning, business intelligence, or data engineering. OEWS estimates are survey-based and do not cover self-employed workers or all worker groups. BLS notes that pay can also vary with experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and location. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for data scientists for the occupation’s scope and wage context.
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What does the data science job outlook show?
BLS projects substantial employment growth in both of its outlook vintages. The periods and annual openings estimates differ, so compare each projection with its own base year and horizon.
| Projection vintage | Projected employment growth | Average annual openings |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–2034 outlook | 34% | About 23,400 |
| 2025–2035 outlook | 35% | About 24,800 |
The 2024–2034 figures are from the earlier BLS outlook, while 2025–2035 figures are from the newer outlook. These are revised ten-year projections, not consecutive annual measurements of jobs or hiring. Average annual openings include opportunities created by workers leaving occupations or the labor force as well as employment growth; they are not a count of net new jobs or current advertised vacancies.
BLS says data scientists will be needed to help businesses use AI and other technologies to improve processes, make informed decisions, develop products, and market them. The BLS profile provides the current outlook and its rationale.
Why can salary estimates differ by industry and location?
Industry
For May 2025, BLS industry medians ranged from $108,650 in insurance carriers to $142,240 in publishing, broadcasting, and content providers. These are industry-level medians, not guaranteed pay bands for particular employers or job offers.
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A national median cannot predict pay in a particular state or city. CareerOneStop’s Salary Finder for data scientists provides May 2025 national and state wage estimates. Compare estimates for the same year and geographic level rather than treating a state, local, and national figure as interchangeable.
Experience and job scope
Responsibility and experience can affect pay, but the cited BLS sources do not provide a clean national 2025 salary table by seniority. They also do not establish a national pay comparison by remote-work status. A job title alone may not identify comparable work: check the responsibilities and occupational category behind a quoted salary, and distinguish base wages from total compensation when evaluating an offer.
What do the wage figures mean for a career or salary decision?
- For a personal benchmark: Use the median as a broad occupational reference, then compare with estimates for the relevant state or local area and industry.
- For year-over-year comparison: Keep the reference dates visible—May 2024 and May 2025—and treat the 6.8% change as nominal, not as a measure of real income growth.
- For job-market planning: Read projected growth and annual openings as long-term national outlook measures, not a forecast of how quickly one applicant will find a job.
- For salary negotiation: Match the work, location, industry, experience, and compensation measure as closely as possible. A national occupational median is context, not a promised salary.
What education is typical for data scientists?
BLS says data scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field. Some employers require or prefer a graduate degree. This is general occupational guidance, not a universal qualification rule; individual employer requirements can differ. Details appear in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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