Data Scientist vs Data Analyst Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Data Scientist
$105,473/yr median(+$32,254 · 44.1% more)
Higher pay
Data Scientist
Median$105,473
Mean$110,908
10th %ile$62,840
25th %ile$79,848
75th %ile$134,961
90th %ile$163,371
Employed234K+
Data Analyst
Median$73,219
Mean$80,490
10th %ile$45,018
25th %ile$57,897
75th %ile$96,049
90th %ile$119,814
Employed4K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Data Scientist
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,840 |
| 25th percentile | $79,848 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,473 |
| 75th percentile | $134,961 |
| 90th percentile | $163,371 |
Data Analyst
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,018 |
| 25th percentile | $57,897 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $73,219 |
| 75th percentile | $96,049 |
| 90th percentile | $119,814 |
Top Paying States
Data Scientist
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $158,760 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $137,120 |
| 3 | California | $136,800 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $132,250 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $130,370 |
Data Analyst
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $175,170 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $100,740 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $98,010 |
| 4 | Arizona | $92,500 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $89,150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Data Scientist or Data Analyst?
- Data Scientist pays more with a median salary of $105,473/year, which is 44.1% more than Data Analyst at $73,219/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Scientist and Data Analyst?
- The median salary difference is $32,254/year (44.1%).