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
$180440
Median Salary
$171800
vs. National
51.6% above
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$163408

“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) $98810
25th $142330
Median $171800
75th $209750

5040 Data Scientists employed in the San Jose metro.

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: $1187800.

Earnings levelSalaryMax homeMedian home?
Entry (10th)$98810$39699833%
Median$171800$69025758%

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

Population990054
Median household income$141565
Median home value$1187800
Median rent$2617/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.

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