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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Cleveland: $99K Median

Data Scientists in Cleveland, OH earn between $62K and $169K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Cleveland, OH is $99,378 per year — -8% below the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $62,358 (entry, 25th percentile) to $169,363 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Cleveland earned approximately $16,029 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$99,378
+520.0% YoY · $8,282/mo
Entry
$78,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$151,800
5+ years
Top 10%
$169,363
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$99K
Columbus
$105K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$95K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$98K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Cleveland

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

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Cleveland 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 — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$62,358$99,378$169,363
Monthly$5,197$8,282$14,114
Weekly$1,199$1,911$3,257
Hourly$30$48$81

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$73,241.523
Per month$6,103
Biweekly paycheck$2,817
Effective tax rate26.3%

Tax Breakdown on $99,378

Gross salary$99,378
Federal income tax−$13,565.16
Ohio state tax−$2,484.45
Cleveland local tax−$2,484.45
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,602.417
Take-home (net)$73,241.523

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 — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$71,944
2–3 yr$78,200
4–6 yr$115,000
7–10 yr$151,800
11–15 yr$179,124
15+ yr$160,582

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,029
2026 median:$99,378
Change:+$83,349

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
$112,930
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $86,416 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

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 $152K–$169K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Data Scientist salary in Cleveland is $99,378 per year as of April 2026 — $8,282/month, $1,911/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $62,358 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $169,363 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $99,378 a good Data Scientist salary in Cleveland?
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. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $99,378 a real purchasing power of approximately $112,930 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $99,378 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $99,378 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $99,378 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $99,378 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $99,378 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $99,378 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $99,378 each ($198,756 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $99,378 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $99,378 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 Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Cleveland?
On a $99,378 Data Scientist salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $73,241.523 per year ($6,103/month, $2,817 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,565.16, state $2,484.45, local $2,484.45, FICA $7,602.417. Effective tax rate: 26.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $99,378 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $112,930 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Cleveland typically start at around $78,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $151,800 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $169,363+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $16,029 in 2025 to $99,378 in 2026 (+$83,349). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Cleveland?
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. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Cleveland'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 Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — 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 Cleveland

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$100KJacksonville, FL$99KColumbus, OH$105KIndianapolis, IN$100KDetroit, MI$100KMemphis, TN$95KOklahoma City, OK$95KLas Vegas, NV$103K

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