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2026 Salary Data — Sacramento, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento: $117K Median

Data Scientists in Sacramento, CA earn between $73K and $199K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Sacramento, CA is $116,662 per year — +8% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $73,202 (entry, 25th percentile) to $198,817 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Sacramento earned approximately $18,816 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$116,662
+520.0% YoY · $9,722/mo
Entry
$91,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$178,200
5+ years
Top 10%
$198,817
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Sacramento vs Nearby
Sacramento
$117K
Los Angeles
$138K
-16% vs Sacramento
San Diego
$127K
-8% vs Sacramento
San Francisco
$167K
-30% vs Sacramento

Free ATS scan · Sacramento employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Sacramento

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

Sacramento Job Market

California state capital with growing tech sector.

Population
524K
Cost of Living
130
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$525K

Top Industries in Sacramento

GovernmentHealthcareTechEducationReal Estate

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Sacramento 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 — Sacramento

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$73,202$116,662$198,817
Monthly$6,100$9,722$16,568
Weekly$1,408$2,244$3,823
Hourly$35$56$96

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Sacramento

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$83,953.307
Per month$6,996
Biweekly paycheck$3,229
Effective tax rate28.0%

Tax Breakdown on $116,662

Gross salary$116,662
Federal income tax−$17,367.64
California state tax−$6,416.41
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,924.643
Take-home (net)$83,953.307

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 — Sacramento

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Sacramento.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$84,456
2–3 yr$91,800
4–6 yr$135,000
7–10 yr$178,200
11–15 yr$210,276
15+ yr$188,509

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Sacramento's 1.08× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,816
2026 median:$116,662
Change:+$97,846

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
$89,740
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento

Walk-away anchor: $101,445 (offers below this are below market for Sacramento).

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 $178K–$199K for experienced roles, citing Sacramento market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Sacramento

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Sacramento, CA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Sacramento is $116,662 per year as of April 2026 — $9,722/month, $2,244/week, or about $56/hour. Salaries range from $73,202 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $198,817 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×).
Is $116,662 a good Data Scientist salary in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's cost-of-living index is 130 (vs 100 nationally), giving $116,662 a real purchasing power of approximately $89,740 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $116,662 in Sacramento?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Sacramento specifically (median home price $525,000), a $116,662 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $116,662 enough for a single person in Sacramento?
A single adult in Sacramento typically needs ~$58,500 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $116,662 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $116,662 enough for a couple in Sacramento?
A couple (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$93,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $116,662 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $116,662 each ($233,324 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $116,662 enough for a family of 4 in Sacramento?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$143,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $116,662 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 Sacramento. Childcare costs in Sacramento typically run $20K-$36K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Sacramento?
On a $116,662 Data Scientist salary in Sacramento, CA, you take home approximately $83,953.307 per year ($6,996/month, $3,229 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,367.64, state $6,416.41, FICA $8,924.643. Effective tax rate: 28.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Sacramento earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Sacramento earn approximately 8% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $116,662 in Sacramento). However, Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 130 means real purchasing power is approximately $89,740 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Sacramento?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Sacramento typically start at around $91,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $178,200 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $198,817+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Sacramento increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Sacramento grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $18,816 in 2025 to $116,662 in 2026 (+$97,846). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's top industries include Government, Healthcare, Tech, 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 Sacramento.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Sacramento?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Sacramento'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 Sacramento are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.08× — 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 Sacramento

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$138KChicago, IL$113KHouston, TX$113KPhiladelphia, PA$112KSan Diego, CA$127KDallas, TX$113KSan Francisco, CA$167KDenver, CO$119K

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