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2026 Salary Data — Atlanta, GA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Atlanta: $113K Median

Data Scientists in Atlanta, GA earn between $71K and $193K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Atlanta, GA is $113,421 per year — +5% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $71,169 (entry, 25th percentile) to $193,295 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Atlanta earned approximately $18,294 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$113,421
+520.0% YoY · $9,452/mo
Entry
$89,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$173,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$193,295
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Atlanta vs Nearby
Atlanta
$113K
Chicago
$113K
+0% vs Atlanta
Philadelphia
$112K
+1% vs Atlanta
Nashville
$108K
+5% vs Atlanta

Free ATS scan · Atlanta employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Atlanta

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and inform business decisions. They combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build machine learning models
  • Analyze structured/unstructured data
  • Deploy models to production
  • Communicate findings to stakeholders
  • A/B testing and experimentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google Data AnalyticsTensorFlow DeveloperAWS ML SpecialtyMicrosoft DA-100

Atlanta Job Market

Major Southeast logistics, media, and film hub with strong tech growth.

Population
499K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$410K

Top Industries in Atlanta

Logistics (Delta, UPS)TechMedia (CNN)HealthcareFilm/TV

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Atlanta or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
OpenAI
Anthropic
Databricks

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Data Scientist listings.

LLMsPyTorchMLOpsdbtSnowflakeGenAI

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonSQLTensorFlowPyTorchmachine learningstatisticsA/B testingdata visualizationpandasscikit-learn
Career Outlook
+36% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand.

Data Scientist Salary Breakdown — Atlanta

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,169$113,421$193,295
Monthly$5,931$9,452$16,108
Weekly$1,369$2,181$3,717
Hourly$34$55$93

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Atlanta

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$82,532.045
Per month$6,878
Biweekly paycheck$3,174
Effective tax rate27.2%

Tax Breakdown on $113,421

Gross salary$113,421
Federal income tax−$16,654.62
Georgia state tax−$5,557.629
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,676.707
Take-home (net)$82,532.045

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Data Scientist Salary by Experience — Atlanta

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Atlanta.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$82,110
2–3 yr$89,250
4–6 yr$131,250
7–10 yr$173,250
11–15 yr$204,435
15+ yr$183,273

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Atlanta's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,294
2026 median:$113,421
Change:+$95,127

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$106,001
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Atlanta

Walk-away anchor: $98,627 (offers below this are below market for Atlanta).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $173K–$193K for experienced roles, citing Atlanta market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Atlanta

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Atlanta, GA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Atlanta is $113,421 per year as of April 2026 — $9,452/month, $2,181/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $71,169 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $193,295 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $113,421 a good Data Scientist salary in Atlanta?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Atlanta's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $113,421 a real purchasing power of approximately $106,001 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $113,421 in Atlanta?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Atlanta specifically (median home price $410,000), a $113,421 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $113,421 enough for a single person in Atlanta?
A single adult in Atlanta typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $113,421 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $113,421 enough for a couple in Atlanta?
A couple (one earner) in Atlanta typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $113,421 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $113,421 each ($226,842 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $113,421 enough for a family of 4 in Atlanta?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Atlanta typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $113,421 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Atlanta. Childcare costs in Atlanta typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Atlanta?
On a $113,421 Data Scientist salary in Atlanta, GA, you take home approximately $82,532.045 per year ($6,878/month, $3,174 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,654.62, state $5,557.629, FICA $8,676.707. Effective tax rate: 27.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Atlanta earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Atlanta earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $113,421 in Atlanta). However, Atlanta's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $106,001 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Atlanta?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Atlanta typically start at around $89,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $173,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $193,295+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Atlanta increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Atlanta grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $18,294 in 2025 to $113,421 in 2026 (+$95,127). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Atlanta?
Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand. Atlanta's top industries include Logistics (Delta, UPS), Tech, Media (CNN), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Data Scientists are: LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps, dbt, Snowflake, GenAI. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Atlanta.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Atlanta?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Atlanta include: Google, Meta, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, OpenAI. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary in Atlanta?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in Atlanta?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google Data Analytics or TensorFlow Developer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Data Scientist in Atlanta?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Atlanta's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Data Scientist salary figures for Atlanta are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Atlanta

Software Engineer →Machine Learning Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$113KHouston, TX$113KPhiladelphia, PA$112KDallas, TX$113KFort Worth, TX$110KCharlotte, NC$110KSacramento, CA$117KRaleigh, NC$113K

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