Data Scientist Salary in St. Louis 2025
Quick Answer
Data Scientist Salary in St. Louis: Full Breakdown
The St. Louis data science labor market reflects strong demand for analytical talent in the region’s growing tech and financial services sectors. As of 2024, the mean annual salary of $98,640 positions St. Louis competitively within the Midwest, though below major tech hubs like San Francisco or New York.
The St. Louis metropolitan area (which includes suburbs like Clayton, Chesterfield, O’Fallon, and St. Charles) serves as a regional employment hub for data science roles. This broader metro definition captures salary data across multiple jurisdictions and employer types, providing a more representative picture than city-proper figures alone.
Key Salary Context:
- Annual Mean: $98,640 (2024)
- Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- SOC Code: 15-2051 (Data Scientists and Mathematical Science Occupations)
- Survey Year: 2024
Exploring job careers in city? Let AI find your perfect match.
Learn More →Cost of Living Context
St. Louis offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to national averages, which can make the $98,640 data scientist salary stretch further than it would in coastal tech markets. The region’s lower housing costs, combined with moderate state income taxes, create favorable conditions for salary negotiation and financial planning.
For professionals considering relocation to St. Louis for a data science position, the affordability factor is significant. A $98,640 salary in St. Louis typically provides stronger purchasing power than the same nominal figure in high-cost-of-living areas. This makes St. Louis particularly attractive for early-to-mid-career data scientists seeking to maximize take-home value and build savings.
Historical Salary Trend
Based on available BLS data, the 2024 mean salary for data scientists in St. Louis was $98,640. Tracking year-over-year changes requires access to multi-year OEWS snapshots; the current dataset captures the 2024 snapshot. To analyze salary growth trends, consult the BLS OEWS historical tables for SOC 15-2051 across multiple years.
Free Guide: How to Negotiate a job Salary (Data-Backed Scripts)
Learn More →Job Outlook for Data Scientists in St. Louis
Data science remains one of the fastest-growing occupational categories in the United States. The St. Louis region, home to major employers in financial services, healthcare, and technology, continues to expand its data science workforce. Demand for professionals who can extract insights from large datasets, build predictive models, and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders remains robust.
The role of data scientist has evolved significantly over the past decade, with increasing emphasis on machine learning engineering, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and business acumen alongside statistical expertise. Entry-level positions increasingly require demonstrated proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools.
Top Employers and Regional Context
St. Louis’s economy is anchored by several Fortune 500 and major regional companies across sectors including:
- Financial Services: Major banks and fintech firms
- Healthcare: Large medical centers and pharmaceutical companies
- Manufacturing: Industrial and logistics companies
- Technology: Growing startup and established tech company presence
Many of these organizations maintain active H-1B sponsorship programs and regularly post data science roles. The St. Louis metro area’s diverse economy means data scientists can pursue roles across multiple industries rather than being concentrated in a single sector.
Related Guides
FAQ
What is the starting salary for a data scientist in St. Louis?
Entry-level data scientist positions in St. Louis typically offer salaries below the $98,640 mean, though exact entry-level figures depend on educational background, internship experience, and specific employer. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field can expect competitive offers. Advanced degrees (Master’s in Data Science, Statistics, or related field) often command higher starting salaries. The BLS OEWS data represents mean compensation across all experience levels; entry-level roles typically fall in the lower quartile.
How does the St. Louis data scientist salary compare to the national average?
The national average for data scientists (SOC 15-2051) provides the primary benchmark for comparison. The $98,640 St. Louis figure reflects regional labor market conditions, cost of living, and employer concentration. Coastal tech hubs (San Francisco, New York, Seattle) typically offer higher nominal salaries, though cost-of-living adjustment often narrows the real-income gap. For the current national median, consult the BLS OEWS national estimates for SOC 15-2051.
What factors influence data scientist salaries in St. Louis?
Key factors include: (1) Experience level — senior data scientists with 7+ years command significantly higher salaries; (2) Technical specialization — expertise in machine learning, deep learning, or cloud platforms increases earning potential; (3) Industry sector — financial services and healthcare typically pay more than other sectors; (4) Education — advanced degrees correlate with higher compensation; (5) Company size — larger enterprises generally offer higher salaries than startups, though equity compensation may vary; (6) Certifications — AWS, Google Cloud, or specialized ML certifications can justify premium offers.
Is it worth relocating to St. Louis for a data science position?
St. Louis presents a strong value proposition for data scientists, particularly those prioritizing cost of living and quality of life over maximum nominal salary. The $98,640 average salary, combined with below-national-average housing costs and living expenses, can result in superior after-tax purchasing power compared to higher-paying but more expensive metros. Professionals in early-to-mid career stages may find St. Louis particularly advantageous for building wealth and establishing professional networks in a growing tech ecosystem.
What skills command premium salaries for data scientists in St. Louis?
High-demand technical skills include: Python and R programming, SQL database management, machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, scikit-learn, PyTorch), cloud platform expertise (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, Google Cloud), big data tools (Spark, Hadoop), and advanced statistical modeling. Business-facing skills—the ability to translate technical findings into actionable business insights—also significantly impact compensation. Professionals with demonstrated expertise in both technical depth and business communication typically negotiate higher salaries.
Where can I find current data scientist job openings in St. Louis?
Major job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor) maintain active listings for St. Louis-area data science roles. Company career pages for major regional employers, professional associations (American Statistical Association, Data Science Association), and specialized tech job boards provide additional opportunities. Networking within St. Louis’s growing data science community through meetups and conferences can surface unadvertised positions and provide salary benchmarking insights.
Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. SOC Code 15-2051.
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Disclaimer: Salary data presented here is based on publicly available sources and represents mean compensation for the specified occupation and geography. Actual compensation varies based on individual qualifications, employer, specific role responsibilities, and market conditions. This content is informational and should not be construed as financial or career advice. Always conduct independent research and consult with HR professionals or career counselors for personalized guidance.