Data Scientists vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $51,290 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 83.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$37,600$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $37,600 | +$26,050 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $47,200 | +$35,430 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $61,300 | +$51,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $79,000 | +$76,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $103,030 | +$91,380 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $68,610 | +$55,980 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Graphic Designers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,290 (83.7% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Data Scientists and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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