Data Scientist.
Anchorage.
$130,000
median salary, 15% above the national average
$96,000 to $180,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Data Scientist in Anchorage earns a median of $130,000 in 2026. That is 15% above the national average. The range runs from $96,000 to $180,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Statistical depth, industry vertical, and the ability to translate models into business impact are the biggest levers. 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 Data Scientist in Anchorage, 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 $98,630 for Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in the Anchorage, AK metropolitan area, based on 120 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$57,180
25th percentile
$67,050
Median
$98,630
75th percentile
$128,740
90th percentile
$177,690
Workers surveyed
120
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $130,000 is 32% higher 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 Scientist 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 Scientist specifically. The Anchoragerange 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 $117,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$85,000
to $104,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$111,000
to $137,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$143,000
to $169,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$163,000
to $202,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $58,000 to the total package.
Base
$130,000
Equity
$35,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $188,000
Data Scientist salary by company.
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings (DOL).
How Anchorage compares.
Anchorage, AK
$130,000
Cost of living: 13% above average
National Average
$113,000
Anchorage is $17,000 above
Data Scientist salary by city.
Salary by role in Anchorage.
What you should know.
Here is what the Data Scientist market actually looks like in Anchorage. Anchorage is Alaska's economic center, driven by oil and gas, military spending, and healthcare. The city offers premium pay to offset its remote location and high cost of goods. Federal and state government roles dominate, with growing demand in telehealth and energy technology. Statistical depth, industry vertical, and the ability to translate models into business impact are the biggest levers. Data scientists who can deploy production ML models earn significantly more than those focused solely on analysis. Specialization in NLP, computer vision, or causal inference commands additional premiums.
Entry level data scientists with a master's degree start at $95,000 to $120,000. Mid level roles reach $130,000 to $170,000 after three years. Senior data scientists earn $170,000 to $220,000, while principal or staff level scientists at top firms exceed $250,000 in total compensation. In Anchorage, 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. Equity grants at tech companies add $20,000 to $100,000+ annually, especially at ML focused firms. Bonuses of 10 to 20% are standard. Some companies offer research stipends, conference travel budgets, and compute credits as additional perks. And on the tax side: alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Anchorage charges no local income tax either. The result is one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the nation. When someone quotes you $130,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate relocation packages and cost of living adjustments. Anchorage employers expect to pay 10 to 20% premiums over Lower 48 salaries for comparable roles. The range for Data Scientists in Anchorage runs from $96,000 to $180,000. 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 Data Analyst in Anchorage earns $132,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Anchorage is CTO at $329,000
Common questions.
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