Freelance Data Scientist Rates in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
Los Angeles, CA-based data scientists currently command roughly $137/hour, which is 30% above the US remote baseline. Demand for data scientist skills is trending up about 9% year-over-year, with the strongest pricing power going to freelancers who specialize in experimentation / a/b testing and causal inference.
How to command the top data scientist rate in Los Angeles
Clients in Los Angeles pay the top end of the range to freelancers who specialize rather than generalize. In 2026, the specializations driving the highest rates are:
- Experimentation / A/B testing
- Causal inference
- Forecasting & time series
- ML model deployment (MLOps)
Data Scientist rates in other cities
How Los Angeles, CA compares to other global data scientist markets.
| City | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Valley, CA | $127 | $163 | $209 |
| Zurich, Switzerland | $123 | $158 | $202 |
| New York, NY | $119 | $152 | $195 |
| Seattle, WA | $111 | $142 | $182 |
| Boston, MA | $107 | $137 | $175 |
| Tel Aviv, Israel | $107 | $137 | $175 |
| London, UK | $102 | $131 | $168 |
| Singapore | $102 | $131 | $168 |
FAQ: Freelance Data Scientist Rates in Los Angeles, CA
How much do freelance data scientists charge in Los Angeles, CA?
Freelance data scientists in Los Angeles, CA charge a median of $137/hour in 2026, with typical rates ranging from $107 to $175/hour depending on experience and specialization.
Are Los Angeles data scientist rates higher than US remote?
Los Angeles rates are about 30% higher than the US remote baseline ($105/hr). This reflects Los Angeles's cost of living and local demand for data scientist talent.
What can a freelance data scientist earn annually in Los Angeles, CA?
At the median Los Angeles, CA rate of $137/hr and ~1,800 billable hours per year, a freelance data scientist can earn roughly $247,000 annually. Top earners hit $315,000 or more.
What data scientist specializations pay best in Los Angeles?
The highest-paying specializations for data scientists in Los Angeles in 2026 include: Experimentation / A/B testing, Causal inference, Forecasting & time series, ML model deployment (MLOps). Focusing on one of these niches typically adds 20–40% to your rate.
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