Data Scientist Salary in North Carolina
Based on 11K+ workers in North Carolina
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$119,090
$57.25/hr
vs National Average
$107,281
+11.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$66K – $173K
11K employed in North Carolina
Data Scientist salary in North Carolina averages $129,854 annually, positioning the state slightly below the national average at 3% lower. Based on available data from 73 employed professionals in the field, this figure provides insight into compensation trends for data science roles throughout the state. Understanding this baseline helps both job seekers and employers gauge competitive pay rates in the regional market.
Several factors influence data scientist compensation in North Carolina, including years of experience, educational background, and industry sector. Companies in major tech hubs and research centers typically offer higher salaries, while those in smaller markets may provide more modest packages. Additionally, specialized skills in machine learning, cloud platforms, and programming languages can command premium pay, and career progression from junior to senior roles significantly impacts earning potential.
Salary Distribution — Data Scientist in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,970 |
| 25th percentile | $82,440 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $119,090 |
| 75th percentile | $147,540 |
| 90th percentile | $172,830 |
Top H-1B Employers for Data Scientist in North Carolina
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in North Carolina — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 14 | $129,854 |
| 2 | RELX, Inc. | 10 | $130,000 |
| 3 | Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 8 | $137,696 |
| 4 | SARANSH INC | 6 | $90,000 |
| 5 | DB Global Technology, Inc. | 6 | $115,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in North Carolina
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in North Carolina.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $82,000 | 22 |
| Level II | Qualified | $105,748 | 80 |
| Level III | Experienced | $129,854 | 53 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $153,962 | 50 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Data Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Data Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Data Scientists in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $141,440 | 32K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $137,840 | 4K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $133,750 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,050 | 29K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $126,730 | 70K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Data Scientist in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $121,970 |
| 2023 | $126,940 |
| 2024 | $115,380 |
| 2025 | $119,090 |
| 2026 (projected) | $122,919 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $121,970 | $98,212 |
| 2023 | $126,940 | $104,916 |
| 2024 | $115,380 | $105,473 |
| 2025 | $119,090 | $107,281 |
| 2026 (projected) | $122,919 | $110,731 |
Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $82,440 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $119,090 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $147,540 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $172,830 |
Data Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Data Scientist Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Data Scientist ($119,090 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Data Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in NC | $172,860 | +45.2% | $83.11/hr |
| Software Developer in NC | $134,710 | +13.1% | $64.76/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in NC | $134,670 | +13.1% | $64.75/hr |
| Database Administrator in NC | $134,630 | +13.0% | $64.73/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in NC | $131,540 | +10.5% | $63.24/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in NC | $128,370 | +7.8% | $61.72/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in NC | $127,320 | +6.9% | $61.21/hr |
| Statistician in NC | $115,690 | -2.9% | $55.62/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in NC | $106,850 | -10.3% | $51.37/hr |
| Software Engineer in NC | $104,850 | -12.0% | $50.41/hr |
| Data Analyst in NC | $101,850 | -14.5% | $48.97/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in NC | $97,990 | -17.7% | $47.11/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data scientists make in North Carolina?
- Data scientists in North Carolina earn a median salary of $129,854 per year, which translates to approximately $62 per hour. This is 3.4% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for data scientists in North Carolina?
- The salary range for data scientists in North Carolina extends up to $136,128 per year. This represents the upper end of compensation for the position in the state.
Is the data scientist salary in North Carolina competitive compared to the US average?
- North Carolina's data scientist median salary of $129,854 is slightly below the national average, falling 3.4% lower than what data scientists earn nationwide. However, the state still offers competitive compensation for the role.
How many data scientists are employed in North Carolina?
- There are approximately 73 data scientists currently employed in North Carolina, representing the job market size for this position in the state.