Data Science Intern Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$63,000
national median salary
$53,000 to $74,000. Last updated August 2026.
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.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $63,000 is 48% lower than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Data Scientists covers a different population than the Data Science Intern title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
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 Data Science Internspecifically. 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 15-2051Highest Paying
$88,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$66,000
Denver, CO
Lowest Paying
$50,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 15-2051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Data Science Intern salary in the United States at $63,000 in 2026, within a range of $53,000 to $74,000. 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. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $88,000, while Denver offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Data Science Intern compensation is driven by years of experience, specialization depth, and the industry domain.
Data Science Intern salary by city.
Skills that increase Data Science Intern pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Data Science Interns based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,820 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,820 per year
≈ +$8,190 per year
≈ +$7,560 per year
≈ +$6,930 per year
≈ +$6,930 per year
≈ +$6,300 per year
≈ +$6,300 per year
≈ +$5,670 per year
What you should know.
Data Science Intern compensation is driven by years of experience, specialization depth, and the industry domain. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 12% in a typical year. At the mid-management level, the scope of the organization under management ($10M budget vs $100M+) drives the largest compensation variance.
Data Science Interns progress from entry to senior over 5 to 8 years, with lead and management levels requiring 10+ years and demonstrated cross-functional scope. Data Science Interns specifically are entry-level; the first 2 to 3 years build foundational skills before the mid-level transition.
Total compensation for Data Science Interns runs roughly $47K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~12% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. At management levels, variable compensation (bonus + LTIP) grows as a share of total — expect 30–50% variable at director and 50%+ variable at VP and above.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Data Science Interns typically earn $57,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Data Science Intern pay.
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