Hiring a data scientist: the market today
The short answer ·
498 open postings ask for a data scientist as of Oct 8, 2026, from 116 employers. The median advertised pay is $151,000, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 259 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
498open postings
116employers hiring
$151,000median advertised pay
259new in 30 days
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, 2026-10-08
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 357 postings with pay · OPM actual pay, Aug 2026
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a data scientist?
Hard. 116 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Booz Allen Hamilton with 96 open postings.
What should I pay a data scientist?
Advertised pay centers on $151,000. Federal staff in series 1560 average $146,099 in actual pay.