Average Data Scientist Salary in San Jose, CA

The average Data Scientist in San Jose, CA earns $180,440 per year. See how this compares to the national average and what it means for your budget.

Average Salary
$180,440
Median Salary
$171,800
vs. National
51.6% above
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$163,408

“Real pay” adjusts the average for San Jose’s cost of living (Regional Price Parity 110.423, U.S. average = 100) — what this salary is worth in national-average dollars.

What Data Scientists actually earn in San Jose

The spread from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th), from BLS wage data.

10th (entry) $98,810
25th $142,330
Median $171,800
75th $209,750

5,040 Data Scientists employed in the San Jose metro.

Am I underpaid? Check your exact percentile →

Can a Data Scientist afford a home in San Jose?

Max home price under the 28% rule (housing ≤ 28% of gross), 10% down, 6.7% 30-yr rate. Median San Jose home: $1,187,800.

Earnings levelSalaryMax homeMedian home?
Entry (10th)$98,810$396,99833%
Median$171,800$690,25758%

What’s this salary worth in another city?

What you earn (or want to compare)

Take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Jose

Estimated pay after federal, FICA, and CA state taxes (2026). Prefilled with the local average — adjust for your situation.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, federal + FICA + state (single or married filing jointly). Excludes local/city income taxes (e.g., NYC, Philadelphia) and individual credits. See our methodology.

San Jose at a glance

Population990,054
Median household income$141,565
Median home value$1,187,800
Median rent$2,617/mo
Cost of living (RPP, U.S.=100)110.423
Bachelor’s degree or higher26.2%
Poverty rate7.8%

In San Jose, CA, Data Scientists earn a median of $171,800 a year - about 44% above the U.S. median of $119,040. Among the 50 metros tracked here for this role, that ranks #1.

What that pay is worth in San Jose

Local prices run 110 on the BEA cost-of-living index (U.S. = 100), so a $180,440 salary buys less than it looks - about $163,408 in national-average buying power.

Can Data Scientists afford a home in San Jose?

A typical San Jose home runs about $1,187,800 - 6.6 times the average Data Scientist salary, a stretch against the classic 3x rule of thumb. Median rent near $2,617/mo takes roughly 17% of gross pay - within the 30% comfort line.

The Data Scientist job market in San Jose

San Jose employs roughly 5,040 Data Scientists. It’s a sizable local market to build a career in.

Compare San Jose with other cities

See the full Data Scientist salary by city ranking to weigh San Jose against the other metros on both pay and cost-adjusted value, or use the cost-of-living calculator to compare any two cities directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Data Scientists make in San Jose?

The average Data Scientist in San Jose, CA earns about $180,440 per year, 51.6% above the national average of $119,040.

What is the take-home pay for Data Scientists in San Jose after taxes?

After federal and CA taxes, this $180,440 salary is worth about $121,892 a year - roughly $10,157 a month in take-home pay, an effective tax rate near 32%.

Can Data Scientists afford a home in San Jose?

A typical San Jose home runs about $1,187,800 - roughly 6.6x this salary, a stretch by the 3x rule, so budgeting discipline matters.

Put your money to work

What it costs to live in San Jose

San Jose's cost of living is 10% above the US average. $100,000 here is worth about $90,561 nationally. Rent, homes and monthly costs.

Full San Jose cost-of-living breakdown →