Data Scientist Salary in Lincoln, NE
Data Scientists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median $87,890 a year — 27% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,541 take-home, or $5,628 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median data scientist salary in Lincoln, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,506
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,449
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,274
- Nebraska income tax$3,119
- Take-home pay$67,541
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.55% state
Data Scientist pay by experience in Lincoln, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,800 | $29.71 | $49,904 | $4,159 |
| 25th percentile | $76,780 | $36.91 | $60,231 | $5,019 |
| Median (50th) | $87,890 | $42.25 | $67,541 | $5,628 |
| 75th percentile | $102,870 | $49.46 | $77,398 | $6,450 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,880 | $61.48 | $93,733 | $7,811 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,890 buys in Lincoln, NE
Prices in Lincoln, NE are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median data scientist's $67,541 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,750 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lincoln, NE has 1.4× the national concentration of data scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for data scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Lincoln, NE ranks #66 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $164,740 | $123,866 | $111,457 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $185,080 | $122,415 | $110,860 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $127,360 | $98,317 | $100,256 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $132,460 | $97,026 | $99,669 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $170,110 | $113,734 | $98,375 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $127,750 | $98,583 | $95,628 |
| 7 | Jacksonville, FL | $122,680 | $95,118 | $95,611 |
| 8 | Bridgeport, CT | $141,760 | $101,803 | $95,264 |
| 66 | Lincoln, NE | $87,890 | $67,541 | $73,750 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
Data Scientist salaries elsewhere in Nebraska
- Omaha, NE — $100,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data scientist make in Lincoln, NE?
The median data scientist salary in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $87,890 a year, or about $42.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,780 and $102,870.
What is a data scientist’s take-home pay in Lincoln, NE?
On the median $87,890 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $67,541 a year ($5,628 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,119 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a data scientist?
Pay here is 27% below the national median of $120,230. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,750 would in a typical U.S. city. Lincoln, NE ranks #66 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a data scientist afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lincoln, NE is $917 a month ($1,132 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median data scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
- Software Developer — $101,690
- Computer Systems Analyst — $87,500
- Computer User Support Specialist — $56,010