Data Scientist Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts (2026)
Median base salary of $176,000/year for Data Scientist professionals in Cambridge. Full breakdown by experience level, take-home estimates, and market context.
Median Salary
$176,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$85/hr
40 hrs/wk
Monthly Pay
$14,667
before taxes
Est. Take-Home
$111,496
after taxes/yr
Data Scientist Salary by Experience — Cambridge
| Level | Annual | Monthly | Hourly | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $119,000 | $9,917 | $57/hr | $75,387 |
| 25th Percentile | $139,000 | $11,583 | $67/hr | $88,057 |
| Median | $176,000 | $14,667 | $85/hr | $111,496 |
| 75th Percentile | $225,000 | $18,750 | $108/hr | $124,537 |
| Senior (8+ yrs) | $255,000 | $21,250 | $123/hr | $141,142 |
City salary estimated from Massachusetts median with a +18% Cambridge market adjustment. Take-home after federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state taxes (5.0%).
Cambridge vs. Massachusetts Statewide
Cambridge Median
$176,000
City-level estimate
Massachusetts Statewide
$149,000
State median baseline
Data Scientist professionals in Cambridge earn approximately 18% more than the Massachusetts statewide median, reflecting Cambridge's higher cost of living and local demand for tech talent.
Cost of Living in Cambridge
Cost of Living Index
170
100 = US average
Median 1BR Rent
$3,100/mo
city median
Annual Rent Burden
$37,200
per year
Rent as % of Salary
21%
of median salary
Cambridge's cost of living index of 170 means it is 70% more expensive than the US average. At the median Data Scientist salary of $176,000, housing costs represent approximately 21% of gross income — within the recommended 30% guideline.
Top Data Scientist Employers in Cambridge
Companies actively hiring Data Scientist professionals in the Cambridge area.
Cambridge's Harvard-MIT corridor generates unmatched biotech and AI research spinout activity, creating premium salaries for researchers and engineers.
Data Scientist Job Market in Cambridge
Cambridge is one of Massachusetts's highest-paying market for Data Scientist professionals, with a population of approximately 120K and a thriving technology sector. The median base salary of $176,000/year reflects both local demand for Python and Machine Learning expertise, and the city's cost of living index of 170 relative to the national average of 100.
At the entry level, a Data Scientist in Cambridge can expect to earn approximately $119,000/year. Senior professionals with 8+ years of experience typically command $255,000/year or more, particularly at larger technology companies or those with in-demand specializations in SQL.
Total compensation — including equity, annual bonuses, and benefits — often adds 20–50% above base salary for Data Scientist roles at growth-stage companies. When evaluating an offer in Cambridge, always ask about the full compensation package, not just base salary.
Data Scientist Salaries in Other Massachusetts Cities
Related Roles in Cambridge
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Editorial Standards & Data Methodology
Data Sources
Salary ranges on CareerOS are derived from multiple independent sources:
- •U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- •LinkedIn Salary Insights
- •Glassdoor Compensation Reports
- •Levels.fyi (tech roles)
- •Indeed Salary Data
Our Methodology
Salary figures represent base compensation only and exclude equity, bonuses, and benefits. Ranges show the 25th–75th percentile for full-time employees in each location. Data is weighted toward recent postings (last 12 months). Take-home estimates apply federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and applicable state taxes.
Editorial Process
All pages are reviewed for accuracy before publication and updated quarterly. We cross-reference data across sources before publishing any salary range.
Last Updated: May 2026
Review Cycle: Quarterly
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Actual compensation varies.