Best cities for a senior data scientist
The best cities for senior data scientists are San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, and Seattle, WA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior data scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior data scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior data scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior data scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior data scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior data scientist. While the absolute best city for senior data scientists is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior data scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior data scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior data scientists in 2025
1. San Francisco, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in San FranciscoTotal senior data scientist jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $146,598 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 13.45 2. Oakland, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in OaklandTotal senior data scientist jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $146,411 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 4.49 3. Seattle, WA
Senior data scientist jobs in SeattleTotal senior data scientist jobs: 227 Average annual salary: $140,678 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $195,000 Location quotient: 4.27 4. San Jose, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in San JoseTotal senior data scientist jobs: 132 Average annual salary: $145,548 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 2.96 5. Los Angeles, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in Los AngelesTotal senior data scientist jobs: 168 Average annual salary: $134,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 3.11 6. Fremont, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in FremontTotal senior data scientist jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $145,914 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 2.13 7. Sacramento, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in SacramentoTotal senior data scientist jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $146,291 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 1.98 8. Boston, MA
Senior data scientist jobs in BostonTotal senior data scientist jobs: 37 Average annual salary: $109,668 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 6.50 9. Irvine, CA
Senior data scientist jobs in IrvineTotal senior data scientist jobs: 47 Average annual salary: $131,543 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $186,000 Location quotient: 2.73 10. Austin, TX
Senior data scientist jobs in AustinTotal senior data scientist jobs: 149 Average annual salary: $98,260 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 3.54
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Best cities for senior data scientists
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Boston, MA
- Irvine, CA
- Austin, TX
- (79 senior data scientist jobs)
- (27 senior data scientist jobs)
- (227 senior data scientist jobs)
- (132 senior data scientist jobs)
- (168 senior data scientist jobs)
- (27 senior data scientist jobs)
- (26 senior data scientist jobs)
- (37 senior data scientist jobs)
- (47 senior data scientist jobs)
- (149 senior data scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior data scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $146,598 | $104,000 | 870,887 | 79 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $146,411 | $104,000 | 420,005 | 27 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $140,678 | $100,000 | 704,352 | 227 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $145,548 | $103,000 | 1,025,350 | 132 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $134,309 | $94,000 | 3,976,322 | 168 |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $145,914 | $104,000 | 233,136 | 27 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $146,291 | $104,000 | 495,234 | 26 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $109,668 | $81,000 | 673,184 | 37 |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | $131,543 | $92,000 | 266,122 | 47 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $98,260 | $70,000 | 947,890 | 149 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $93,939 | $69,000 | 672,795 | 39 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $102,216 | $74,000 | 1,567,872 | 63 |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $128,481 | $91,000 | 639,863 | 30 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | $95,967 | $69,000 | 1,317,929 | 111 |
| 15 | Lincoln, NE | $94,100 | $69,000 | 280,364 | 18 |
| 16 | Santa Ana, CA | $132,024 | $93,000 | 334,217 | 5 |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | $127,113 | $89,000 | 1,406,630 | 73 |
| 18 | North Las Vegas, NV | $111,582 | $78,000 | 238,702 | 1 |
| 19 | Plano, TX | $95,315 | $69,000 | 286,057 | 73 |
| 20 | New York, NY | $111,586 | $82,000 | 8,537,673 | 255 |
| 21 | Scottsdale, AZ | $103,174 | $72,000 | 246,645 | 12 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $96,791 | $71,000 | 303,625 | 35 |
| 23 | Phoenix, AZ | $103,322 | $73,000 | 1,615,017 | 58 |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $93,848 | $69,000 | 458,880 | 40 |
| 25 | Las Vegas, NV | $111,761 | $78,000 | 632,912 | 10 |
| 26 | Glendale, AZ | $103,394 | $73,000 | 245,895 | 2 |
| 27 | Irving, TX | $95,941 | $69,000 | 238,289 | 46 |
| 28 | Cincinnati, OH | $87,313 | $64,000 | 298,800 | 40 |
| 29 | Durham, NC | $93,812 | $69,000 | 263,016 | 22 |
| 30 | Reno, NV | $118,094 | $84,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 31 | Stockton, CA | $145,843 | $104,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 32 | Cleveland, OH | $93,099 | $68,000 | 385,809 | 11 |
| 33 | Long Beach, CA | $132,763 | $93,000 | 470,130 | 2 |
| 34 | Newark, NJ | $106,785 | $78,000 | 281,764 | 18 |
| 35 | Chicago, IL | $91,446 | $68,000 | 2,704,958 | 31 |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $102,694 | $72,000 | 247,477 | 5 |
| 37 | Houston, TX | $97,296 | $69,000 | 2,303,482 | 65 |
| 38 | Fresno, CA | $143,007 | $101,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 39 | Henderson, NV | $110,940 | $78,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 40 | Jersey City, NJ | $106,830 | $78,000 | 264,152 | 47 |
| 41 | Bakersfield, CA | $139,534 | $98,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 42 | San Antonio, TX | $98,238 | $69,000 | 1,492,510 | 14 |
| 43 | Charlotte, NC | $91,465 | $67,000 | 842,051 | 86 |
| 44 | Minneapolis, MN | $88,665 | $66,000 | 413,651 | 91 |
| 45 | Atlanta, GA | $88,193 | $64,000 | 472,522 | 194 |
| 46 | Anaheim, CA | $132,529 | $93,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 47 | Anchorage, AK | $114,271 | $87,000 | 298,192 | 2 |
| 48 | Columbus, OH | $89,332 | $66,000 | 860,090 | 44 |
| 49 | Riverside, CA | $131,978 | $93,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 50 | Fort Worth, TX | $96,490 | $69,000 | 854,113 | 8 |
Highest paying cities for senior data scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. senior data scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond, CA | $146,708 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $140,678 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $111,586 |
| 4 | Wellesley, MA | $109,692 |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $106,830 |
| 6 | Hartford, CT | $105,462 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $103,322 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $102,216 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $102,045 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $101,253 |
| 11 | Arlington, VA | $98,582 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $98,260 |
| 13 | Bellevue, NE | $94,230 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $93,939 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $93,848 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $92,601 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $91,446 |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $89,332 |
| 19 | Minneapolis, MN | $88,665 |
| 20 | Alpharetta, GA | $88,245 |
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Updated January 8, 2025