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2026 Salary Data — Milwaukee, WI
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Milwaukee: $103K Median

Data Scientists in Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee 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 — Milwaukee vs Nearby
Milwaukee
$103K
Houston
$113K
-10% vs Milwaukee
New Orleans
$99K
+3% vs Milwaukee
Jacksonville
$99K
+3% vs Milwaukee

Free ATS scan · Milwaukee employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Milwaukee

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

Milwaukee Job Market

Manufacturing and brewing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
590K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$245K

Top Industries in Milwaukee

ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceBrewingTech

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Milwaukee 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 — Milwaukee

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 Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Milwaukee

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$74,846.422
Per month$6,237
Biweekly paycheck$2,879
Effective tax rate27.1%

Tax Breakdown on $102,619

Gross salary$102,619
Federal income tax−$14,278.18
Wisconsin state tax−$5,644.045
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,850.354
Take-home (net)$74,846.422

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 — Milwaukee

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Milwaukee.

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 Milwaukee'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
$106,895
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 Milwaukee

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

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 Milwaukee market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Milwaukee

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI?
The average Data Scientist salary in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $102,619 a good Data Scientist salary in Milwaukee?
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. Milwaukee's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $102,619 a real purchasing power of approximately $106,895 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 $102,619 in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee specifically (median home price $245,000), a $102,619 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $102,619 enough for a single person in Milwaukee?
A single adult in Milwaukee typically needs ~$43,200 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 Milwaukee?
A couple (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$69,120 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 Milwaukee?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$105,600 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 below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Milwaukee. Childcare costs in Milwaukee typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Milwaukee?
On a $102,619 Data Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI, you take home approximately $74,846.422 per year ($6,237/month, $2,879 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,278.18, state $5,644.045, FICA $7,850.354. Effective tax rate: 27.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Milwaukee earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Milwaukee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $102,619 in Milwaukee). However, Milwaukee's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $106,895 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Milwaukee?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?
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. Milwaukee's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — 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 Milwaukee.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Milwaukee?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee

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$98KAlbuquerque, NM$97K

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