Salaries › Data Scientist › California
Data Scientist Salary in California (2026)
$68.07 per hour · take-home ≈ $98,951/year ($8,246/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Data Scientists (2nd of 50), with a median about 18% above the national average. Of the 39,310 Data Scientist jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $141,590 a year — though pay ranges from $77,480 for newcomers to $224,920 at the top.
Data Scientist pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $77,480 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $103,360 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $141,590 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $186,820 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $224,920 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 39,310 Data Scientist jobs in California (occupation code 15-2051, “Data Scientists”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Data Scientist salary of $141,590 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $98,951 — an effective tax rate of 30.1%.
| Gross (median) | $141,590 |
| Federal income tax | −$22,716 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$10,832 |
| California state income tax | −$9,091 |
| Take-home (annual) | $98,951 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $8,246 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Data Scientist make in California?
- The median Data Scientist salary in California is $141,590 per year ($68.07 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $103,360 and $186,820.
- What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in California?
- On the median salary of $141,590, a single filer in California takes home about $98,951 per year ($8,246 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 30.1%.
- How many Data Scientist jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 39,310 Data Scientist jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Data Scientists
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.