SOC 15-2051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Data Scientists — Central Indiana
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Data Scientists in Central Indiana, IN is $71,660 per year, substantially below the national median of $120,230 — a gap of 40.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Data Scientists in Central Indiana, IN is $71,660 per year, substantially below the national median of $120,230 — a gap of 40.4%. Pay ranges from under $47,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $131,740 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,440 to $96,230.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $99,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 91st of 379 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,260 | −60.7% |
| 25th | $51,440 | −57.2% |
| Median (50th) | $71,660 | −40.4% |
| 75th | $96,230 | −20.0% |
| 90th | $131,740 | +9.6% |
| Mean | $78,300 | −34.9% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $99,110 | 1,880 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $94,700 | 40 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $94,470 | 270 | |
| 4 | Evansville | $83,140 | 140 | |
| 5 | Bloomington | $83,020 | 50 | |
| 6 | Muncie | $82,160 | 30 | |
| 7 | South Bend | $81,570 | 130 | |
| 8 | Elkhart | $81,420 | 100 | |
| 9 | Lafayette | $79,280 | 70 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $77,220 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $71,660 goes as far as $76,806 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 36.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,806US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,660 a year, 40.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,260 to $131,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $99,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Data Scientists in Central Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $71,660, or $34.45 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $120,230, so pay in Central Indiana, IN is 40.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Indiana, IN earns more than $131,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,260 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Indianapolis, at $99,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Central Indiana, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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