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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Long Beach: $130K Median

Data Scientists in Long Beach, CA earn between $81K and $221K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Long Beach, CA is $129,624 per year — +20% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $81,336 (entry, 25th percentile) to $220,908 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Long Beach earned approximately $20,907 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$129,624
+520.0% YoY · $10,802/mo
Entry
$102,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$198,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$220,908
Senior/lead

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Long Beach

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

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Long Beach 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 — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$81,336$129,624$220,908
Monthly$6,778$10,802$18,409
Weekly$1,564$2,493$4,248
Hourly$39$62$106

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$92,125.684
Per month$7,677
Biweekly paycheck$3,543
Effective tax rate28.9%

Tax Breakdown on $129,624

Gross salary$129,624
Federal income tax$20,452.76
California state tax$7,129.32
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$9,916.236
Take-home (net)$92,125.684

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 — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$93,840
2–3 yr$102,000
4–6 yr$150,000
7–10 yr$198,000
11–15 yr$233,640
15+ yr$209,454

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,907
2026 median:$129,624
Change:+$108,717

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$84,722
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $112,717 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

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 $198K$221K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Long Beach is $129,624 per year as of April 2026 — $10,802/month, $2,493/week, or about $62/hour. Salaries range from $81,336 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $220,908 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $129,624 a good Data Scientist salary in Long Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $129,624 a real purchasing power of approximately $84,722 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $129,624 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $129,624 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $129,624 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $129,624 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $129,624 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $129,624 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $129,624 each ($259,248 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $129,624 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $129,624 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 Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Long Beach?
On a $129,624 Data Scientist salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $92,125.684 per year ($7,677/month, $3,543 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,452.76, state $7,129.32, FICA $9,916.236. Effective tax rate: 28.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $129,624 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $84,722 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Long Beach typically start at around $102,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $198,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $220,908+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $20,907 in 2025 to $129,624 in 2026 (+$108,717). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Long Beach?
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. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 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 Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Long Beach'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 Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — 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.

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