Data Scientist pay in Austin, by the numbers
After a simplified 15% national tax estimate that is about US$9,000 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
Data Scientist pay in Austin: national and in-state ranking
San Jose leads at US$185,080, 45% above Austin, while San Antonio sits at US$103,290. The neighbours in the ranking are Miami and Jacksonville.
Compared only with other TX metros — Houston (US$106,750), San Antonio (US$103,290) and Dallas (US$127,750) — Austin ranks 2nd of 4, 10% over the US$116,300 state average.
Cost of living and take-home in Austin
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$127,400, is near its face value.
Adjusting for prices does not move Austin in the ranking: it is 12th of 21 on both cash and buying power.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (15% effective) and about US$9,000 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 18% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$5,510 remains.
Austin vs nearby TX metros
Houston (also in TX) pays US$106,750, 16% less than Austin; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,330 lower.
A data scientist moving from Austin to San Antonio (also in TX) would see the median fall 19% to US$103,290, with US$1,560 less left over monthly in our model.
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$135,980, 7% more than Austin; modeled monthly leftover is US$540 higher.
Other Austin jobs compared with data scientist
Of the 9 roles we track in Austin, Data Scientist is 3rd by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$153,330).
Closest neighbours in the Austin list: Software Engineer at US$134,120 (+5%) and Mechanical Engineer at US$106,690 (-16%).
How Austin ranks at the low and high end
Entry-level data scientists fare better here (9th of 21 at the 10th percentile, US$74,640) than senior ones (11th at the 90th, US$186,010).
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$282,840 at the 90th percentile, +52% against Austin.
How wide data scientist pay runs in Austin
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$74,640 and the 90th US$186,010, a 2.5× ratio.