Data Scientist Specialist Salary in California

How much does a Data Scientist Specialist make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Scientist Specialist in California is $147,182 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Data Scientist Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $169,887
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $139,360 to $159,067
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,238

Key Factors That Influence Data Scientist Specialist Salaries

A Data Scientist Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Data Scientist Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Scientist Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $99,270
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $126,985
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $144,706
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $194,038
  • Expert (over 8 years): $200,810
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Data Scientist II less than 1 year $99,270
Data Scientist III 1-2 years $126,985
Data Scientist Specialist 2-4 years $144,706
Data Scientist V 5-8 years $194,038
Data Scientist VI over 8 years $200,810

Top Paying Cities for Data Scientist Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $147,436
  • West Hollywood: $147,329
  • Dodgertown: $147,434

Data Scientist Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Scientist Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Data Scientist Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Scientist Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Scientist Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction $220,773 $106.0 50%
Aerospace & Defense $206,055 $99.0 40%
Energy & Utilities $198,696 $96.0 35%
Business Services $183,978 $88.0 25%
Retail & Wholesale $169,259 $81.0 15%

Data Scientist Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Scientist Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$139,360
Average $147,182/year
$159,067
$11,613
Average $12,265/month
$13,256
$2,680
Average $2,830/week
$3,059
$67
Average $71/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $159,067 $13,256 $3,059 $76
Average $147,182 $12,265 $2,830 $71
25th Percentile $139,360 $11,613 $2,680 $67

Find Your Next Data Scientist Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Scientist Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Perfict Global, Inc. | Sacramento, CA

    Perfict Global, Inc. | Sacramento, CA

    Job TitlePerfict Global is a leading IT consulting services provider focused on providing innovative and successful business workforce solutions to Fortune... more

    2 Days Ago

  • DocuSign | San Francisco, CA

    DocuSign | San Francisco, CA

    Data ScientistDocusign's Product Data Science team is looking for a Data Scientist to support the development of key data products and capabilities to enab... more

    2 Days Ago

  • BOOZ, ALLEN & HAMILTON, INC. | San Diego, CA

    BOOZ, ALLEN & HAMILTON, INC. | San Diego, CA

    Data ScientistThe Opportunity:As a data scientist, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the secrets held by a data set, and you're fascinated by the... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Dyneti Technologies | San Mateo, CA

    Dyneti Technologies | San Mateo, CA

    Job TitleJoin Dyneti as a founding member of the technical team. You will have the opportunity to work closely with the CEO and engineering to track emergi... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Abacus | Oakland, CA

    Abacus | Oakland, CA

    Data ScientistThis individual will be responsible for implementing Power BI as Enterprise BI, data governance plan, and open data portal. Looking for someo... more

    2 Days Ago

  • SynergisticIT | San Francisco, CA

    SynergisticIT | San Francisco, CA

    Job PostingSynergistic IT is a full-service staffing and placement firm servicing clients in America for the past 12years. We are dedicated towards fulfill... more

    2 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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