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2026 Salary Data — Kansas City, MO
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Kansas City: $103K Median

Data Scientists in Kansas City, MO earn between $64K and $175K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Kansas City, MO is $102,619 per year — -5% below the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $64,391 (entry, 25th percentile) to $174,886 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Kansas City earned approximately $16,551 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$102,619
+520.0% YoY · $8,552/mo
Entry
$80,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$156,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$174,886
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Kansas City vs Nearby
Kansas City
$103K
San Antonio
$100K
+2% vs Kansas City
Omaha
$105K
-2% vs Kansas City
Indianapolis
$100K
+2% vs Kansas City

Free ATS scan · Kansas City employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Kansas City

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

Kansas City Job Market

Major logistics hub with growing tech presence.

Population
508K
Cost of Living
91
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$270K

Top Industries in Kansas City

TechLogisticsFinanceHealthcareEngineering

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Kansas City 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 — Kansas City

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$64,391$102,619$174,886
Monthly$5,366$8,552$14,574
Weekly$1,238$1,973$3,363
Hourly$31$49$84

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Kansas City's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Kansas City

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$75,667.374
Per month$6,306
Biweekly paycheck$2,910
Effective tax rate26.3%

Tax Breakdown on $102,619

Gross salary$102,619
Federal income tax−$14,278.18
Missouri state tax−$3,796.903
Kansas City local tax−$1,026.19
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,850.354
Take-home (net)$75,667.374

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 — Kansas City

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Kansas City.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$74,290
2–3 yr$80,750
4–6 yr$118,750
7–10 yr$156,750
11–15 yr$184,965
15+ yr$165,818

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Kansas City's 0.95× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,551
2026 median:$102,619
Change:+$86,068

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
$112,768
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Kansas City

Walk-away anchor: $89,234 (offers below this are below market for Kansas City).

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 $157K–$175K for experienced roles, citing Kansas City market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Kansas City

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Kansas City, MO?
The average Data Scientist salary in Kansas City is $102,619 per year as of April 2026 — $8,552/month, $1,973/week, or about $49/hour. Salaries range from $64,391 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $174,886 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Kansas City's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $102,619 a good Data Scientist salary in Kansas City?
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. Kansas City's cost-of-living index is 91 (vs 100 nationally), giving $102,619 a real purchasing power of approximately $112,768 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $102,619 in Kansas City?
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 Kansas City specifically (median home price $270,000), a $102,619 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $102,619 enough for a single person in Kansas City?
A single adult in Kansas City typically needs ~$40,950 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $102,619 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $102,619 enough for a couple in Kansas City?
A couple (one earner) in Kansas City typically needs ~$65,520 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $102,619 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $102,619 each ($205,238 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $102,619 enough for a family of 4 in Kansas City?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Kansas City typically needs ~$100,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $102,619 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 Kansas City typically run $14K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Kansas City?
On a $102,619 Data Scientist salary in Kansas City, MO, you take home approximately $75,667.374 per year ($6,306/month, $2,910 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,278.18, state $3,796.903, local $1,026.19, FICA $7,850.354. Effective tax rate: 26.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Kansas City earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Kansas City earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $102,619 in Kansas City). However, Kansas City's cost-of-living index of 91 means real purchasing power is approximately $112,768 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Kansas City?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Kansas City typically start at around $80,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $156,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $174,886+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Kansas City increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Kansas City grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $16,551 in 2025 to $102,619 in 2026 (+$86,068). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Kansas City?
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. Kansas City's top industries include Tech, Logistics, Finance, 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 Kansas City.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Kansas City?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Kansas City 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 Kansas City?
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 Kansas City?
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 Kansas City?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Kansas City'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 Kansas City are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Kansas City's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× — 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 Kansas City

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$100KLas Vegas, NV$103KLouisville, KY$98KMilwaukee, WI$103K

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