Data Scientist Salary in Boston (2026)
Quick Answer
How much does data scientist in Boston make?
Want a personalized salary estimate?
Our Know Your Worth tool uses your exact experience in Boston and skills to calculate where you land in the range for Data Scientist roles.
In Boston, Data Scientists earn an average annual salary of $127,266, with compensation ranging from $86,550 to $187,136, reflecting the city's competitive job market.
Key Facts
- Average Data Scientist salary in Boston: $127,266
- Salary range: $86,550 to $187,136
- Top employers include Amazon and Google
- Cost of living index: 70.4
- Key skills: Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling
Salary by Experience Level
- Entry Level: $91,201
- Mid Level: $127,632
- Manager/Lead/Principal: $185,788
- VP/Head of/Director: $252,000
How Boston Compares
Boston's cost of living index is 70.4, indicating a higher cost of living compared to many other U.S. cities. For instance, while the national average salary for Data Scientists is similar, the elevated living expenses in Boston necessitate higher compensation to maintain a comparable standard of living.
Skills That Command Premium
Proficiency in Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Programming (Python/R), and Data Visualization are highly valued and can lead to higher salaries.
Work Culture & Benefits
Top companies in Boston, such as Amazon and Google, offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
To maximize earning potential, Data Scientists should focus on developing expertise in high-demand areas like Machine Learning and Data Visualization, and consider opportunities with top employers in Boston.
Found your target salary? Now land the role.
Paste a Data Scientist job posting and get an ATS-optimized resume tailored to the role — plus a match score showing exactly where you stand.
Data Scientist Insights — Boston
Data Scientist salaries in Boston range from $86,550 to $187,136, a 79% spread that reflects significant variation based on experience level, specialization, and company size. The median of $127,266 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
Boston's cost of living index of 47/100 means relatively affordable living costs compared to major tech centers. A $127,266 median gives data scientist professionals here strong purchasing power that stretches further than the same salary in cities like San Francisco or Zurich.
The hiring landscape for data scientist in Boston is anchored by employers like Amazon, Google, and Liberty Mutual Insurance, along with 2 other notable employers. Larger employers in this market typically offer compensation at the upper end of the range, often supplemented with equity, signing bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
Demand for data scientist in Boston centers around expertise in Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the $187,136 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Data Analyst or Machine Learning Engineer.
Related Roles in Boston
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | Boston | $85,967 - $224,209 | $116,207 |
| Data Engineer | San Francisco | $107,180 - $300,000 | $171,054 |
| Data Engineer | Remote | $64,000 - $275,000 | $155,000 |
| Data Engineer | New York | $84,144 - $244,545 | $120,712 |
| Data Engineer | Seattle | $81,000 - $200,027 | $113,909 |
| Data Scientist |
Data Scientist Salaries by City
Compare data scientist compensation across different locations
More Tech Salaries in Boston
Explore other tech roles and their compensation in Boston
📚 Related Articles
Data Scientist Salary in 2026: 7 Cities Compared
Real salary ranges for data scientists across Berlin, San Francisco, New York, London, Seattle, Boston, and remote roles.
The 14 Highest Paying Tech Jobs in 2026
Which tech roles pay the most? We ranked all 14 major tech positions by salary data from 113 cities worldwide.
7 Signs You're Underpaid (And What to Do)
How to figure out your real market value — and close the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Data Scientist in Boston?
The average annual salary for a Data Scientist in Boston is $127,266, with a range from $86,550 to $187,136.
Which companies are hiring Data Scientists in Boston?
Top companies hiring Data Scientists in Boston include Amazon, Google, Liberty Mutual Insurance, The Hollister Group, and dsm-firmenich.
Not sure if Data Scientist is the right fit? Take our free career quiz to discover roles that match your skills and goals.
Now you know the salary. Can you actually land it?
Paste a Data Scientist in Boston job posting. See exactly where you match, where you don't, and how to address gaps in your application.
Data Source & Methodology
Salary data for data scientist in Boston is compiled from multiple verified sources including:
- Public salary reports from major tech employers (FAANG, Fortune 500, and high-growth startups)
- Government labor statistics and occupational wage surveys
- Aggregated self-reported compensation data from verified professionals
- Job posting analysis from major tech job boards and company career pages
All figures represent base salary in USD and are normalized to annual equivalents. Ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile of reported compensation, while median values represent the 50th percentile. Data is updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.
Last updated: April 2026 | Sample size: Varies by role and location (minimum 30 data points required for publication)