SOC 15-2051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Data Scientists — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $106,680 a year, trailing the national median of $120,230 by 11.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $106,680 a year, trailing the national median of $120,230 by 11.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $88,060 and $133,860. The lowest tenth earn under $76,300, while the highest tenth earn more than $168,810.
The area has 4,370 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.88 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Wisconsin ranks number 21st out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Sheboygan records the highest median at $126,270. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 68th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,300 | −36.5% |
| 25th | $88,060 | −26.8% |
| Median (50th) | $106,680 | −11.3% |
| 75th | $133,860 | +11.3% |
| 90th | $168,810 | +40.4% |
| Mean | $116,600 | −3.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheboygan | $126,270 | 40 | |
| 2 | Kenosha | $106,120 | 80 | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $104,710 | 1,080 | |
| 4 | Racine | $104,530 | 50 | |
| 5 | Wausau | $104,420 | 50 | |
| 6 | Appleton | $103,210 | 90 | |
| 7 | La Crosse | $100,990 | 90 | |
| 8 | Oshkosh | $100,920 | 290 | |
| 9 | Janesville | $99,630 | 70 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $99,410 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $106,680 goes as far as $113,369 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$106,680as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$113,369US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $106,680 a year, 11.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $76,300 to $168,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,370 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 21st of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sheboygan, at $126,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Data Scientists in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $106,680, or $51.29 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 Wisconsin is 11.3% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $168,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $76,300 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 Sheboygan, at $126,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,370 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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