Data Scientists vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $11,840 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 11.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $59,830 | +$3,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $76,950 | +$5,680 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $100,750 | +$11,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $131,660 | +$24,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $165,790 | +$28,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $108,100 | +$16,490 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Project Management Specialists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,840 (11.8% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Data Scientists and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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