Data Scientists pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,120 a year or less, while the top 10% make $160,170 or more. The middle half of data scientists in Memphis earn between $82,610 and $136,250.
- $63K10th
- $83K25th
- $102KMedian
- $136K75th
- $160K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $110,110 | $9,176 | $52.94 |
| Median | $102,220 | $8,518 | $49.14 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $82,610 | $6,884 | $39.72 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $136,250 | $11,354 | $65.50 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Data Scientists pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Data scientists in Memphis earn 5% more than the Tennessee average ($105,200) and 13% less than the U.S. average ($126,800). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $120,230.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $110,110 | $102,220 | $63,120 | $160,170 | 410 |
| Tennessee | $105,200 | $100,330 | $60,200 | $156,160 | 2,790 |
| United States | $126,800 | $120,230 | $67,240 | $199,130 | 262,440 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Data Scientists salary after taxes in Memphis
On the average salary of $110,110, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $86,292 a year, or $7,191 a month and $3,319 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $86,292 | $7,191 |
| Working in MS | $82,620 | $6,885 |
| Working in AR | $82,418 | $6,868 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for data scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $110,110 buys what about $119,452 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 2.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Data Scientists salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 1st of 7 Tennessee metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Memphis$110,110
- Nashville$109,590
- Knoxville$102,070
- Kingsport$99,030
- Chattanooga$97,460
- Clarksville$87,580
- Johnson City$81,850
Highest-paying cities for data scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($212,760).
- San Jose, CA$212,760
- San Francisco, CA$174,830
- Seattle, WA$160,460
- Idaho Falls, ID$159,110
- Kennewick, WA$157,380
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Data Scientists salary in Memphis: questions
How much do data scientists make an hour in Memphis?
$52.94 an hour on average, and $49.15 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level data scientists salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,120 a year and the 25th percentile is $82,610, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the data scientists take-home pay in Memphis?
About $86,292 a year ($7,191 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $110,110. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do data scientists earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% less than the U.S. average for this job ($126,800).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-2051; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.39, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.39).
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