Principal Data Scientist Salary & Pay Rates in United States
Market analysis based on live job data.
Salary range based on experience level
The median salary and typical pay rates for a Principal Data Scientist in United States is $213,367 per year as of May 2026, based on 118 active job listings. Entry-level roles typically start at $145,432, while senior specialists can earn up to $315,176. Equivalent contract day rates are approximately $1,720 per day.
Salary Trend
Salary distribution trend for jobs in United States citing Principal Data Scientist.
📈 Trend data for this market started recently. The chart will build up as more monthly data points are collected.
📊 Salary Histogram
Salary distribution for jobs citing Principal Data Scientist over the last 6 months in United States.
📊 Market Demand
Number of live job vacancies over time for Principal Data Scientist in United States.
Historical Market Data
| Metric | 2026 | Same Period 2025 | Same Period 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 194 | - | - |
| Rank change year-on-year | - | - | - |
| Permanent jobs citing Principal Data Scientist | 118 | 0 | 0 |
| As % of all permanent jobs in United States | 0.12% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| Number of salaries quoted | 94 | 0 | 0 |
| Entry Level | $145,432 | ||
| Junior | $168,959 | ||
| Median Salary | $213,367 | ||
| Median salary change vs last year | - | - | - |
| Senior | $244,043 | ||
| Expert / Top Earners | $315,176 |
How ready are you for this role?
Free 30-second skills check — see which skills you're missing for Principal Data Scientist positions.
Top Skills in Demand
| Skill Name | Frequency % | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Learning |
6%
|
Learn This |
| Python |
4%
|
Learn This |
| SQL |
4%
|
Learn This |
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