Data Scientists vs Financial Specialists, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $32,400 more per year than Financial Specialists, All Other professionals — that's 40.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $151,780 for Financial Specialists, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Financial Specialists, All Other$46,420 – $151,780
$46,420$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Financial Specialists, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $46,420 | +$17,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $60,140 | +$22,490 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $80,190 | +$32,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $109,120 | +$46,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $151,780 | +$42,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $93,890 | +$30,700 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Financial Specialists, All Other
127,450
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Financial Specialists, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $119,060 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $112,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $108,010 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $103,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Financial Specialists, All Other?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,400 (40.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Financial Specialists, All Other?
Financial Specialists, All Other salaries range from $46,420 (10th percentile) to $151,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,190.
How many Data Scientists and Financial Specialists, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 127,450 Financial Specialists, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Specialists, All Other to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Financial Specialists, All Other earns $80,190. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS