Data Scientist Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Data Scientists in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $118,000/year, ranging from $90,000 (25th percentile) to $191,000 (90th percentile). After Minnesota state taxes (6.8%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 111), this is equivalent to $106,306 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Minneapolis, MN
Notable employers in this market include Target, UnitedHealth Group, and 3M, all of which run substantial analytics operations from their Minneapolis headquarters. A two-bedroom apartment in the North Loop or Northeast Minneapolis neighborhoods runs around $1,400 to $1,600 per month, which absorbs a meaningful chunk of the median salary here. The Twin Cities sprawl across a car-dependent landscape, though light rail and bus corridors along I-35W and the Green Line serve commuters willing to plan routes carefully. Minnesota's state income tax sits at roughly 6.8%, which eats into take-home pay more than lower-tax states, so factor that into any offer comparison. The region's strength in healthcare and retail tech creates steady demand for data roles, but the talent pool is competitive.
1Salary Distribution in Minneapolis, MN
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Minneapolis, MN Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN (current) | $118,000 | 111 | $106,306 |
| San Francisco, CA | $165,000 | 186 | $88,710 |
| New York, NY | $158,000 | 187 | $84,492 |
| Seattle, WA | $162,000 | 162 | $100,000 |
| Boston, MA | $148,000 | 162 | $91,358 |
| Austin, TX | $132,000 | 124 | $106,452 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientist salary in Minneapolis, MN?
The median Data Scientist salary in Minneapolis, MN is $118,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $90,000 and the 90th percentile is $191,000.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a Data Scientist?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $118,000 Data Scientist salary in Minneapolis, MN is equivalent to $106,306 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111, meaning it is 11% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Minnesota is approximately 6.8%.
What is the Data Scientist salary range in Minneapolis, MN?
In Minneapolis, MN, Data Scientists earn between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $191,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $118,000 per year.
How many Data Scientist jobs are there in Minneapolis, MN?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 7,000 Data Scientist positions in the Minneapolis, MN metropolitan area.
What do Data Scientists earn in Minneapolis, MN?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Data Scientists in Minneapolis, MN earn a median annual wage of $118,000. The middle 50% earn between $90,000 and $153,000. The top 10% earn more than $191,000. There are approximately 7,000 Data Scientists employed in the Minneapolis, MN metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.8%.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place for a Data Scientist?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111 (US average = 100), making it 11% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Data Scientist in Minneapolis, MN earning $118,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $106,306 relative to the US median. Minnesota has a state income tax rate of approximately 6.8%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN's cost of living index is 111, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $118,000 in Minneapolis, MNhas the same purchasing power as $106,306 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Minneapolis, MN with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Data Scientist in Minneapolis, MN?
The headline median of $118,000 is only part of the picture. Minneapolis, MN's cost of living index is 111 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 90¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $118,000 salary effectively purchases $106,306 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Minneapolis, MN, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $118,000 salary, that translates to roughly $37,760/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Minnesota levies a state income tax of approximately 6.8%, which reduces take-home by roughly $8,024 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $101,618. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($165,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($158,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($162,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 3.8% year-over-year growth rate for Data Scientists in Minneapolis, MN is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Data Scientists or the Minnesota state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.