Data Scientists Salary
The median pay for a data scientists in Minnesota is $128,800/year ($61.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $180K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $139,093 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 18.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $129K get you in Minnesota?
About data scientists
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Data scientists pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $129K locally vs. $120K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,384/month, 18.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level data scientists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $180K or more, a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Data Scientists salary by metro in Minnesota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $130K | +1% | 3,250 |
| Duluth | $99K | -23% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track data scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a data scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $129K, rent takes 18.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for data scientists in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new data scientists typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,944/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is data scientist a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $129K locally vs. $120K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for data scientists?
Minnesota pays $129K median vs. the U.S. average of $120K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $139K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do data scientists make in Minnesota?
The median is $128,800 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,730, and experienced data scientists can clear $179,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,608/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 18.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a data scientists salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median data scientists salary is worth about $139,093 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do data scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.