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Data Scientist Salary in San Diego, CA

Data Scientist salary data for San Diego, CA — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

Data Scientist Salary in San Diego, CA — 2026

The median Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA is $208,000 per year ($17,333/month, $100/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 160, which is 60% above the national average.

Entry Level
$133K
$64/hr
Median
$208K
$100/hr
Senior
$283K
$136/hr
Top Earner
$365K
$175/hr

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in San Diego

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$208,000
Federal Tax-$39,167
State Tax (9.3%)-$19,344
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$13,934
Annual Take-Home$135,555
Monthly Take-Home$11,296

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$2,500/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio14.4%
Median Home Price$780,000
Cost of Living Index160
City Median Salary$78,500
Data Scientist vs City Median+$129,500

Data Scientist Requirements

Education
Master's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Job Growth
35.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningTensorFlow

San Diego Job Market Overview

San Diego, California has a population of 1,386,932 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Military, Biotech, Tourism. The local job growth rate is 2.2%, and the average commute time is 25 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA?
The median Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA is $208,000 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 160. Entry-level Data Scientists earn around $132,800, while senior-level professionals can earn $283,200 or more.
How much does a Data Scientist take home in San Diego after taxes?
A Data Scientist earning the median salary of $208,000 in San Diego, CA takes home approximately $135,555 per year ($11,296/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 34.8%.
Is San Diego a good city for Data Scientists?
San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 160 (above national average). Data Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Military, Biotech, Tourism.
What skills are needed for a Data Scientist in San Diego?
Key skills for Data Scientists include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning, TensorFlow. Typical education requirement is Master's Degree. Valuable certifications include Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Science.
How does Data Scientist salary in San Diego compare to the national average?
The national median Data Scientist salary is $130,000. In San Diego, the adjusted salary is $208,000, which is 60.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA?

The median Data Scientist salary in San Diego, CA is $208,000 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 160. Entry-level Data Scientists earn around $132,800, while senior-level professionals can earn $283,200 or more.

How much does a Data Scientist take home in San Diego after taxes?

A Data Scientist earning the median salary of $208,000 in San Diego, CA takes home approximately $135,555 per year ($11,296/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 34.8%.

Is San Diego a good city for Data Scientists?

San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 160 (above national average). Data Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Military, Biotech, Tourism.

What skills are needed for a Data Scientist in San Diego?

Key skills for Data Scientists include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning, TensorFlow. Typical education requirement is Master's Degree. Valuable certifications include Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Science.

How does Data Scientist salary in San Diego compare to the national average?

The national median Data Scientist salary is $130,000. In San Diego, the adjusted salary is $208,000, which is 60.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.