Data Scientists vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $68,960 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 158.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $29,120 | +$34,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $35,350 | +$47,280 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $43,630 | +$68,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $52,560 | +$103,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $63,840 | +$130,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $45,470 | +$79,120 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Office Clerks, General?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $68,960 (158.1% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Data Scientists and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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