Data Scientists vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $39,680 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 54.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $45,440 | +$18,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $55,870 | +$26,760 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $72,910 | +$39,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $97,270 | +$58,540 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $126,540 | +$67,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $79,730 | +$44,860 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Human Resources Specialists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,680 (54.4% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Data Scientists and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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