AI Data Scientist.
Phoenix.
$111,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$76,000 to $159,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates AI Data Scientist pay in Phoenix at $111,000, within a range of $76,000 to $159,000. That is 2% below the national average. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing metros in the U. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for AI Data Scientist in Phoenix, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $114,540 for Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan area, based on 3,480 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$68,880
25th percentile
$85,530
Median
$114,540
75th percentile
$136,710
90th percentile
$165,520
Workers surveyed
3,480
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) rather than AI Data Scientist specifically. The Phoenixrange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 15-2051Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $100,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$72,000
to $89,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$94,000
to $117,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$122,000
to $144,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$139,000
to $172,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $53,000 to the total package.
Base
$111,000
Equity
$32,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $164,000
How Phoenix compares.
Phoenix, AZ
$111,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$113,000
Phoenix is $2,000 below
AI Data Scientist salary by city.
Salary by role in Phoenix.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for AI Data Scientist roles in Phoenix, here is what you are walking into. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing metros in the U.S., fueled by semiconductor manufacturing, financial services, and tech company expansions. Intel, TSMC, and other chipmakers have made massive investments in the area. The combination of affordable housing and rising salaries has made Phoenix increasingly attractive to relocating professionals. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Industry sector matters significantly, with finance and healthcare paying 15 to 25% above retail or media. Proficiency in both Python and cloud ML platforms like SageMaker or Vertex AI is increasingly expected and adds 10 to 15% to offers.
Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Mid-level scientists with 3 to 5 years reach $152,000 to $198,000. Senior data scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while principal scientists and directors of data science can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Phoenix, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Financial services firms substitute higher cash bonuses of 25 to 50% in lieu of equity, making total compensation comparable. And on the tax side: arizona has a flat 2.5% income tax rate, one of the lowest in the nation. Phoenix has no additional city income tax, making overall take home pay very competitive. When someone quotes you $111,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the influx of semiconductor and tech employers to justify higher offers. Phoenix salaries are rising fast, and employers know they must compete with coastal recruiters. The range for AI Data Scientists in Phoenix runs from $76,000 to $159,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Deep Learning Engineer in Phoenix earns $112,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Phoenix is CTO at $279,000
- See all ai research roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
Common questions.
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