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2026 Salary Data — Wichita, KS
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Wichita: $92K Median

Data Scientists in Wichita, KS earn between $58K and $156K per year.

That's -15% below the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Wichita, KS is $91,817 per year — -15% below the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $57,613 (entry, 25th percentile) to $156,477 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Wichita earned approximately $14,809 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$91,817
+520.0% YoY · $7,651/mo
Entry
$72,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$140,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$156,477
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Wichita vs Nearby

Free ATS scan · Wichita employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Wichita

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

Wichita Job Market

Aerospace manufacturing capital ("Air Capital of the World").

Population
397K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$180K

Top Industries in Wichita

Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna)HealthcareManufacturingEnergy

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Wichita 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 — Wichita

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,613$91,817$156,477
Monthly$4,801$7,651$13,040
Weekly$1,108$1,766$3,009
Hourly$28$44$75

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Wichita

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$68,116.776
Per month$5,676
Biweekly paycheck$2,620
Effective tax rate25.8%

Tax Breakdown on $91,817

Gross salary$91,817
Federal income tax$11,901.74
Kansas state tax$4,774.484
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$7,024.001
Take-home (net)$68,116.776

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 — Wichita

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Wichita.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$66,470
2–3 yr$72,250
4–6 yr$106,250
7–10 yr$140,250
11–15 yr$165,495
15+ yr$148,364

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Wichita's 0.85× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,809
2026 median:$91,817
Change:+$77,008

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
$106,764
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Wichita

Walk-away anchor: $79,841 (offers below this are below market for Wichita).

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 $140K$156K for experienced roles, citing Wichita market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Wichita

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Wichita, KS?
The average Data Scientist salary in Wichita is $91,817 per year as of April 2026 — $7,651/month, $1,766/week, or about $44/hour. Salaries range from $57,613 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $156,477 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×).
Is $91,817 a good Data Scientist salary in Wichita?
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. Wichita's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $91,817 a real purchasing power of approximately $106,764 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $91,817 in Wichita?
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 Wichita specifically (median home price $180,000), a $91,817 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $91,817 enough for a single person in Wichita?
A single adult in Wichita typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $91,817 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $91,817 enough for a couple in Wichita?
A couple (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $91,817 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $91,817 each ($183,634 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $91,817 enough for a family of 4 in Wichita?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $91,817 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 Wichita. Childcare costs in Wichita typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Wichita?
On a $91,817 Data Scientist salary in Wichita, KS, you take home approximately $68,116.776 per year ($5,676/month, $2,620 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,901.74, state $4,774.484, FICA $7,024.001. Effective tax rate: 25.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Wichita earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Wichita earn approximately 15% less than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $91,817 in Wichita). However, Wichita's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $106,764 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Wichita?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Wichita typically start at around $72,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $140,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $156,477+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Wichita increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Wichita grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $14,809 in 2025 to $91,817 in 2026 (+$77,008). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Wichita?
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. Wichita's top industries include Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna), Healthcare, Manufacturing, 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 Wichita.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Wichita?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Wichita 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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Wichita'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 Wichita are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.85× — 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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