Data science jobs are quickly becoming more coveted in Ohio as employers throughout the state expand hiring and offer higher starting salaries to attract top talent. The United States Department of Labor called particular attention to the strong employment opportunities and salary potential for data scientists working in the area of computer and information research science. These data scientists were among Ohio’s top 30 highest paid professionals across all sectors statewide that year, earning an average salary in excess of $100,000.
Starting Salary Ranges for Data Scientist in Ohio’s Major Cities
The Ohio Third Frontier initiative continues to create better paying jobs for data scientists by providing startups and early stage tech companies with advice, leadership, and capital resources. Since 2006, the economic development project has helped 1,200 companies, created 2,532 new jobs, produced $1.4 billion in follow-up equity, and reaped $1 billion in product sales and revenue.
In 2015, Third Frontier supported data scientists by facilitating employment growth in several local companies throughout the state including:
- CardioInsight (Cleveland)
- Tour de Force, Inc. (Findlay)
- DecisionDesk (Lakewood)
- Updox (Dublin)
- Enable Injections, LLC (Cincinnati)
- Stirling Ultracold (Athens)
- Prevedere (Columbus)
- OnShift (Cleveland)
- Stack Construction Technologies (Mason)
Leading the pack for the best job and salary outlooks for data scientists in Ohio is Columbus. According to the state government, Central Ohio is home to 2,291 establishments and employs 62,996 in the science and technology sectors. In 2015 Columbus was ranked the #3 city for tech jobs by Forbes and the #8 city for tech job growth by Praxis Strategy Group. Data scientists working in Columbus typically earn starting salaries in the six digits.
Major Columbus metro area science and technology employers in 2015 included:
- Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.
- Alliance Data Retail Services
- Cardinal Health
- Battelle
- Abbott Nutrition
- Emerson Network Power
- Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
- West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
- IBM
In 2016, Robert Half Technology reported that Columbus, Cincinnati, and Middletown offered the highest starting salary ranges for data scientists in Ohio. The IT staffing company determined these salaries by reviewing thousands of job placements in recent years. The following statistics are strictly base pay amounts and are not adjusted for bonuses and other:
Columbus Area
- Columbus: $106,000-$150,000
- Springfield: $92,000-$130,000
- Mansfield: $75,000-$106,000
- Ashland: $88,000-$124,000
- Dayton: $95,000-$134,000
Cleveland Area
- Cleveland: $105,000-$148,000
- Akron: $97,000-$137,000
- Mentor: $105,000-$148,000
- Elyria: $104,000-$147,000
- Massillon: $83,000-$117,000
Cincinnati Area
- Cincinnati: $106,000-$150,000
- Middletown: $106,000-$150,000
- Huntington: $88,000-$124,000
Other Cities
- Toledo: $92,000-$130,000
- Sandusky: $75,000-$106,000
- Athens: $82,000-$116,000
- Marietta: $87,000-$122,000
Data Science Salaries in Ohio by Industry and Professional Role
The US Department of Labor published salary ranges for Ohio’s data scientists according to their area of specialty and the industries in which they most frequently work (2014):
Computer and Information Research Science
- $116,300 – $134,700
Operations Research
- $93,100 – $116,000
Statistical Modeling
- $93,600 – $116,000
Financial Services
- $89,900 – $113,800
Survey Research
- $73,000 – $91,000
Epidemiology/Public Health
- $71,600 – $80,800
Where to Find Top Salaries for Statistical Modeling Specialists in Ohio
Columbus is not only the largest city in Ohio, it also serves as a major employment hub for data scientists that specialize in statistical modeling. In fact, this capital city houses roughly one-third of the state’s statistical modeling specialists. According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2014 statistical modelers in throughout Ohio were paid an average of:
- Cincinnati-Middletown – $111,570
- Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor – $102,520
- Columbus – $117,240
- Dayton – $106,390
Computer and Information Research Salaries in Dayton
Illumination Works, a public and private sector technology consulting firm headquartered in Dayton, has contributed to pushing the average salary for data scientists specializing in computer and information research higher in this area. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that in the Dayton area these data science specialists earned an average annual salary of:
- Dayton – $133,010
The Highest Paying Areas in Ohio for Data Scientists in Operations Research
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor found that data scientists in operations research employed in Dayton, Toledo, and Akron were among the highest paid professionals in their field statewide. A full salary analysis for these data science specialists by location can be seen below:
- Akron – $119,320
- Cincinnati-Middletown – $110,860
- Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor – $115,950
- Columbus – $101,100
- Dayton – $136,460
- Toledo – $116,120
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics information shown here reflects salary data for broad occupational classifications that include data scientists. These estimates are expressed as the 90th percentile average to reflect the fact that data scientists are recognized as the top earners within each classification.