Data Scientist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Data Scientists in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$119,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$57.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $120,230
State Rank
#14 of 49
11,430 employed here

How much does a Data Scientist make in North Carolina?

Data Scientists in North Carolina take home a median of $119,090 annually — roughly $57.25 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $120,230.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $65,970 while the top 10% make $172,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,440 and $147,540 a year.

Data Scientist salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,970$31.72
25th percentile (early career)$82,440$39.63
50th percentile (median)$119,090$57.25
75th percentile (experienced)$147,540$70.93
90th percentile (top earners)$172,830$83.09

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories for Data Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$163,350
2California$141,590
3Maryland$136,370
4New Jersey$135,280
5Massachusetts$131,750

Working as a Data Scientist in North Carolina

Nationally, about 262,000 people work as Data Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($119,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Data Scientist make in North Carolina?
The median Data Scientist salary in North Carolina is $119,090 per year, or about $57.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,970 at the entry level to $172,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Data Scientists about 1% less than the national median of $120,230. North Carolina ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Data Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $119,090 a year. About 11,430 Data Scientists are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Data Scientist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.