Data Scientist salary in Columbia, MO
Data Scientists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $80,980 a year ($38.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,650 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $120,230. Pay here is 17% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $97,090. There are 1.8 data scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for data scientists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| 25th percentile | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Median | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| 75th percentile | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,650 | $59.93 |
| Average (mean) | $89,510 | $43.04 |
Half of data scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,748.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,374.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,114.62 |
| Weekly | $1,557.31 |
| Hourly | $38.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Data Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $99,870 | 1,260 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $99,600 | 2,640 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $96,650 | 60 |
| Springfield, MO | $81,310 | 190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $80,220 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for data scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $163,350 |
| California | $141,590 |
| Maryland | $136,370 |
| New Jersey | $135,280 |
| Massachusetts | $131,750 |
| New York | $130,460 |
| Minnesota | $128,800 |
| Vermont | $127,070 |
| District of Columbia | $126,490 |
| Virginia | $126,430 |
See Data Scientist pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Research Analyst | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Software Developer | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $77,760 | $37.39 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| Computer Network Architect | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Database Administrator | $79,240 | $38.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Database Architect | $99,000 | $47.60 |
| Web Developer | $81,050 | $38.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data scientist make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for data scientists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $80,980 a year, or $38.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid data scientists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of data scientists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $124,650 a year. The top 25% earn $99,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for data scientists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,610 a year, and a quarter of data scientists earn $73,840 or less.
How many data scientists work in Columbia, MO?
About 190 data scientists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.