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2026 Salary Data — San Diego, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in San Diego: $127K Median

Data Scientists in San Diego, CA earn between $80K and $217K per year.

That's +18% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA is $127,464 per year — +18% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $79,980 (entry, 25th percentile) to $217,226 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in San Diego earned approximately $20,559 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$127,464
+520.0% YoY · $10,622/mo
Entry
$100,300
0–2 years
Experienced
$194,700
5+ years
Top 10%
$217,226
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — San Diego vs Nearby
San Diego
$127K
Los Angeles
$138K
-8% vs San Diego
San Francisco
$167K
-24% vs San Diego
Fresno
$103K
+24% vs San Diego

Free ATS scan · San Diego employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in San Diego

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

San Diego Job Market

Major biotech and defense hub with growing tech sector.

Population
1426K
Cost of Living
161
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in San Diego

DefenseBiotechTechTourismHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in San Diego 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 — San Diego

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$79,980$127,464$217,226
Monthly$6,665$10,622$18,102
Weekly$1,538$2,451$4,177
Hourly$38$61$104

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier (1.18×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in San Diego

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$90,768.124
Per month$7,564
Biweekly paycheck$3,491
Effective tax rate28.8%

Tax Breakdown on $127,464

Gross salary$127,464
Federal income tax−$19,934.36
California state tax−$7,010.52
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,750.996
Take-home (net)$90,768.124

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 — San Diego

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in San Diego.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$92,276
2–3 yr$100,300
4–6 yr$147,500
7–10 yr$194,700
11–15 yr$229,746
15+ yr$205,963

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for San Diego's 1.18× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,559
2026 median:$127,464
Change:+$106,905

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
$79,170
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 San Diego

Walk-away anchor: $110,838 (offers below this are below market for San Diego).

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 $195K–$217K for experienced roles, citing San Diego market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — San Diego

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA?
The average Data Scientist salary in San Diego is $127,464 per year as of April 2026 — $10,622/month, $2,451/week, or about $61/hour. Salaries range from $79,980 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $217,226 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier (1.18×).
Is $127,464 a good Data Scientist salary in San Diego?
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. San Diego's cost-of-living index is 161 (vs 100 nationally), giving $127,464 a real purchasing power of approximately $79,170 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 $127,464 in San Diego?
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 San Diego specifically (median home price $850,000), a $127,464 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $127,464 enough for a single person in San Diego?
A single adult in San Diego typically needs ~$72,450 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $127,464 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $127,464 enough for a couple in San Diego?
A couple (one earner) in San Diego typically needs ~$115,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $127,464 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $127,464 each ($254,928 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $127,464 enough for a family of 4 in San Diego?
A family of 4 (one earner) in San Diego typically needs ~$177,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $127,464 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 San Diego. Childcare costs in San Diego typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Diego?
On a $127,464 Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA, you take home approximately $90,768.124 per year ($7,564/month, $3,491 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,934.36, state $7,010.52, FICA $9,750.996. Effective tax rate: 28.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in San Diego earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in San Diego earn approximately 18% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $127,464 in San Diego). However, San Diego's cost-of-living index of 161 means real purchasing power is approximately $79,170 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in San Diego?
Entry-level Data Scientists in San Diego typically start at around $100,300 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $194,700 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $217,226+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in San Diego increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in San Diego grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $20,559 in 2025 to $127,464 in 2026 (+$106,905). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in San Diego?
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. San Diego's top industries include Defense, Biotech, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.4% — 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 San Diego.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in San Diego?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego?
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 San Diego?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, San Diego'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 San Diego are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.18× — 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 San Diego

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

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$138KAustin, TX$124KSan Francisco, CA$167KFresno, CA$103KSacramento, CA$117KLong Beach, CA$130KOakland, CA$151K

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