Data · United States
Data Scientist Salary in Los Angeles, CA$119,016–$154,584 in 2026
Mid-level data scientists in Los Angeles, CA typically earn $119,016 to $154,584, median $136,800. What pushes a data scientist toward the top of that band isn't just model accuracy — it's demonstrable business impact. Engineers who can trace their work to revenue, retention, or efficiency metrics negotiate more successfully than those who talk about methodology alone. If your last project had a measurable outcome, lead with that number.
Data Scientist Salary in Los Angeles — 2026 Overview
Entry Level
$103,968
0–2 years
Mid-Level
$136,800
3–5 years
Senior
$177,840
6–10 years
| Experience | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $91,492 | $103,968 | $116,444 |
| 3–5 years | $119,016 | $136,800 | $154,584 |
| 6–10 years | $154,721 | $177,840 | $200,959 |
| 11+ years | $194,119 | $225,720 | $257,321 |
Data reflects base salary for Data Scientists in Los Angeles, CA, 2026. Figures exclude bonus, equity, and benefits. Sources: market surveys, job postings, and aggregated offer data.
Why Data Scientist Salaries Are This Level in Los Angeles
LA's tech scene is more diverse than the Bay Area — media tech, aerospace, gaming, and consumer apps coexist with a growing SaaS ecosystem. Salaries are slightly below SF/Seattle but above the national average.
LA is expensive, but meaningfully cheaper than San Francisco. One-bedroom apartments in tech-dense areas like Santa Monica, Culver City, or Playa Vista run $2,500–$3,500/month. Traffic patterns affect lifestyle and effective work hours significantly.
Top Los Angeles employers hiring Data Scientists
Data Scientist Job Market in Los Angeles: Demand & Hiring Outlook
Demand for Data Scientists in Los Angeles has grown sharply as companies invest in data infrastructure, ML pipelines, and analytics capabilities. Los Angeles in particular has a high concentration of data-heavy industries — finance, tech, and healthcare — that drive sustained demand and above-average compensation. Data Scientists with experience shipping models or analyses that directly influence product or revenue decisions are especially sought after.
What Data Scientists in Los Angeles Actually Negotiate For
Base salary is only the starting point. The most experienced negotiators in Los Angeles push for the full package — and the employers who want you badly enough will move on more than just base.
- Equity
- Research time allocation
- Compute budget
- Conference access
- Publication rights
Many Data Scientists leave $16,416–$34,200 on the table annually by not negotiating these elements. A signing bonus alone can be worth one to two months' salary — and it doesn't affect your base going forward.
Skills That Command the Highest Data Scientist Salaries in Los Angeles
Not all Data Scientists in Los Angeles earn the same — and the gap between the lower and upper end of the salary range comes down to specific technical and leadership competencies. These are the skills that consistently push offers toward $154,584 and above.
Is your Data Scientist offer in Los Angeles fair?
You now have the market range: $119,016–$154,584. The next step is knowing exactly where your specific offer sits — and getting the word-for-word script to negotiate it. SalaryAsk benchmarks your offer against live market data, builds your personalised strategy, and lets you practice the conversation with a virtual hiring manager.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The median Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $136,800 for someone with 3–5 years of experience. Across all experience levels, the range runs from $91,492 for entry-level through to $257,321 for highly experienced or specialised professionals.
Is $119,016–$154,584 a good Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles?
Yes — for a mid-level Data Scientist in Los Angeles, CA, $119,016–$154,584 represents the market rate in 2026. If your offer falls significantly below $119,016, it's worth negotiating or understanding why the company is below the market benchmark. Offers above $154,584 typically reflect either a scarce specialisation, a particularly well-funded company, or both.
How much does a Principal Data Scientist / Head of Data Science earn in Los Angeles?
Senior Data Scientists and people moving into Principal Data Scientist / Head of Data Science roles typically earn $154,721–$257,321 in Los Angeles, CA. At the most senior levels, total compensation (including equity and bonuses) often substantially exceeds the base salary shown here.
How do I negotiate a Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles?
The first step is anchoring to market data — you now know the range is $119,016–$154,584. The second is understanding your specific leverage: your experience, the company's urgency to hire, and what competing offers or alternatives you have. SalaryAsk walks you through all of this, generates a personalised negotiation strategy, and gives you the exact language to use in the conversation.
How does Data Scientist pay compare to Software Engineer pay in Los Angeles, CA?
In Los Angeles, CA, Data Scientists typically earn slightly less than software engineers at the same experience level. The mid-level range of $119,016–$154,584 reflects the value companies place on data-driven decision making. Engineers who can bridge data science and production engineering command premiums above the standard range.
What tools and skills push Data Scientist salaries toward the top of the Los Angeles range?
In Los Angeles, CA, Data Scientists who command $154,584 and above typically have deep expertise in at least two of: Python, R, SQL. Beyond technical skills, the ability to communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders and to tie analysis directly to business outcomes — revenue, cost, risk — consistently separates the top earners from the mid-range.