AI Data Scientist.
Wichita.
$96,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$67,000 to $138,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Wichita is 18% cheaper than the national average. For AI Data Scientists, that shakes out to a median of $96,000, with the full range spanning $67,000 to $138,000. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Know the range before you walk in. 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 Wichita, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. BLS does not publish this occupation for this metro area, so the national published benchmark is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $120,230 for Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) across the United States, based on 262,440 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$67,240
25th percentile
$85,660
Median
$120,230
75th percentile
$158,880
90th percentile
$199,130
Workers surveyed
262,440
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$112,590
May 2025 release
$120,230
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
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 Scientistspecifically. The national range 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 $87,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$62,000
to $77,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$82,000
to $101,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$106,000
to $125,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$120,000
to $149,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $46,000 to the total package.
Base
$96,000
Equity
$28,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $142,000
How Wichita compares.
Wichita, KS
$96,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$113,000
Wichita is $17,000 below
AI Data Scientist salary by city.
Salary by role in Wichita.
What you should know.
Here is what the AI Data Scientist market actually looks like in Wichita. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. 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 Wichita, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
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: kansas has a top income tax rate of 5.7%. Wichita has no city income tax. The moderate state rate combined with very low housing costs creates strong net pay. When someone quotes you $96,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace engineering expertise. Wichita manufacturers pay competitive national rates for specialized aviation and defense engineering talent. The range for AI Data Scientists in Wichita runs from $67,000 to $138,000. 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?
- An AI Analyst in Wichita earns $95,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Wichita is CTO at $244,000
- See all ai research roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
Common questions.
AI Data Scientist salary in other cities.
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