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2026 Salary Data — Charlotte, NC

Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Charlotte: $110K Median

Data Scientists in Charlotte, NC earn between $69K and $188K per year.

That's +2% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Charlotte, NC is $110,180 per year — +2% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $69,136 (entry, 25th percentile) to $187,772 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Charlotte earned approximately $17,771 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median

$110,180

+520.0% YoY · $9,182/mo

Entry

$86,700

0–2 years

Experienced

$168,300

5+ years

Top 10%

$187,772

Senior/lead

Data Scientist Salary — Charlotte vs Nearby

Charlotte

$110K

Free ATS scan · Charlotte employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Charlotte

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

Charlotte Job Market

Major banking center (Bank of America HQ) with growing tech sector.

Population

879K

Cost of Living

100

vs 100 US avg

Unemployment

3.7%

Median Home

$395K

Top Industries in Charlotte

Finance/BankingEnergyHealthcareTechManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

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

Google

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 — Charlotte

Period	Entry (25th)	Median (50th)	Top (90th)
Annual	$69,136	$110,180	$187,772
Monthly	$5,761	$9,182	$15,648
Weekly	$1,330	$2,119	$3,611
Hourly	$33	$53	$90

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Charlotte's cost-of-living multiplier (1.02×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Charlotte

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

Net Annual Take-Home

$80,851.53

Per month$6,738

Biweekly paycheck$3,110

Effective tax rate26.6%

Tax Breakdown on $110,180

Gross salary$110,180

Federal income tax−$15,941.6

North Carolina state tax−$4,958.1

FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,428.77

Take-home (net)$80,851.53

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 — Charlotte

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Charlotte.

Experience	Annual Salary	Monthly
0–1 yr	$79,764	$6,647
2–3 yr	$86,700	$7,225
4–6 yr	$127,500	$10,625
7–10 yr	$168,300	$14,025
11–15 yr	$198,594	$16,550
15+ yr	$178,036	$14,836

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Charlotte's 1.02× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,771

2026 median:$110,180

Change:+$92,409

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

$110,180

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 Charlotte

Walk-away anchor: $95,809 (offers below this are below market for Charlotte).

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 $168K–$188K for experienced roles, citing Charlotte market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Charlotte

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Charlotte, NC?

The average Data Scientist salary in Charlotte is $110,180 per year as of April 2026 — $9,182/month, $2,119/week, or about $53/hour. Salaries range from $69,136 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $187,772 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Charlotte's cost-of-living multiplier (1.02×).

Is $110,180 a good Data Scientist salary in Charlotte?

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. Charlotte's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $110,180 a real purchasing power of approximately $110,180 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 $110,180 in Charlotte?

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 Charlotte specifically (median home price $395,000), a $110,180 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.

Is $110,180 enough for a single person in Charlotte?

A single adult in Charlotte typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $110,180 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.

Is $110,180 enough for a couple in Charlotte?

A couple (one earner) in Charlotte typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $110,180 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $110,180 each ($220,360 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.

Is $110,180 enough for a family of 4 in Charlotte?

A family of 4 (one earner) in Charlotte typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $110,180 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Data Scientist income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Charlotte typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.

What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Charlotte?

On a $110,180 Data Scientist salary in Charlotte, NC, you take home approximately $80,851.53 per year ($6,738/month, $3,110 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $15,941.6, state $4,958.1, FICA $8,428.77. Effective tax rate: 26.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)

How much do Data Scientists in Charlotte earn compared to the US average?

Data Scientists in Charlotte earn approximately 2% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $110,180 in Charlotte). However, Charlotte's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $110,180 when adjusted for local prices.

What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Charlotte?

Entry-level Data Scientists in Charlotte typically start at around $86,700 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $168,300 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $187,772+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.

Did Data Scientist salaries in Charlotte increase in 2026?

Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Charlotte grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $17,771 in 2025 to $110,180 in 2026 (+$92,409). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.

What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Charlotte?

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. Charlotte's top industries include Finance/Banking, Energy, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — 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 Charlotte.

Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Charlotte?

Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte?

Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Charlotte'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 Charlotte are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Charlotte's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.02× — 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 Charlotte

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$113K Houston, TX$113K Phoenix, AZ$108K Philadelphia, PA$112K Dallas, TX$113K Fort Worth, TX$110K Nashville, TN$108K Mesa, AZ$106K

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