TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Data Scientist Salary
in Louisville, KY

Extract insights from complex data using statistical methods and machine learning. Median salary in Louisville: $127K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$127K
per year
Take-home: $83K

Salary range in Louisville

Entry level (25th)$92,000
Median (50th)$127,000
Senior (75th)$161,000
Top earner (90th)$202,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Louisville, Kentucky. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Louisville

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

8% discount vs national median

Data Scientists in Louisville earn approximately 8% lower than the US national median for this role — a $11,000 discount on annual base salary. Louisville's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 85 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living index (85), the median Data Scientist salary buys the equivalent of $149,412 in a US-average-cost city. That's $11,412 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

65% remote-eligible

This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Louisville-based Data Scientists. Many Louisville professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Louisville's local rate — verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Louisville

Median salary
$127K
annual
Take-home pay
$83K
after fed/state tax
COL index
85
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+5.1%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Louisville Data Scientist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $157K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Louisville

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Data Scientist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$90K$109K$128K$147K$166K201920212023202520272029
2026
$134K
projected
2027
$141K
projected
2028
$149K
projected
2029
$157K
projected
2030
$166K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$134,000+$7,000
2028 projected$141,000+$14,000
2029 projected$149,000+$22,000
2030 projected$157,000+$30,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Data Scientist Salary in Louisville, Kentucky: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Data Scientist salary in Louisville, KY is $127,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Louisville–KY metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Data Scientist in Louisville

Entry-level Data Scientists in Louisville with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $92,000 and $127,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $127,000 to $161,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $161,000 to $202,000 or more.

Cost of living in Louisville for Data Scientists

Louisville has a cost of living index of 85 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 15% further in Louisville than the national average. Kentucky has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Data Scientist

Bachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or CS. This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Louisville-based professionals.

Data Scientist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Louisville (current)$127K85
Lexington$121K88
Bowling Green$110K80