Data Scientist labor category
Data Scientist is a government contracting labor category with levels I through IV. GSA ceiling rates run about $112–$258/hr depending on level. That's what the government pays the contractor, not your salary.
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · Data: GSA CALC+
What a Data Scientist does
On federal contracts, these roles are typically tiered based on experience and academic background. Junior roles (Level I/II) focus on data cleaning, visualization, and executing established models, requiring a Bachelor’s degree and a few years of relevant experience. Senior roles (Level III/IV) require advanced degrees or significant subject matter expertise to lead model architecture, perform deep analytical research, and advise federal leadership on data-driven strategy. Transitioning service members often find that their experience with operational data and analytical problem-solving translates well here, provided they possess proficiency in programming languages like Python or R and SQL. This role is essential for helping the government leverage modern technology to improve operational efficiency and public services.
Typical Data Scientist duties
- Develop and deploy predictive models using machine learning frameworks to address complex agency mission requirements.
- Clean, transform, and integrate massive datasets from disparate government databases to support executive decision-making.
- Create interactive dashboards and visualizations that communicate analytical findings to non-technical federal stakeholders.
- Conduct statistical research to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies within high-volume operational data.
- Collaborate with software engineers and cloud architects to integrate data pipelines into production environments.
Data Scientist levels, requirements, and GSA CALC+ rates
Levels map to years of relevant experience. A degree can substitute for years (about 2 years per step).
| Level | Experience | Most common education | GSA ceiling rate, 25th–75th ($/hr) | GSA ceiling rate, median ($/hr) | Rough salary estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | 0–3 yrs | Bachelors | $112/hr – $167/hr | $140/hr | $121k–$161k |
| Level II | 4–7 yrs | Bachelors | $140/hr – $197/hr | $167/hr | $145k–$193k |
| Level III | 8–12 yrs | Bachelors | $170/hr – $239/hr | $200/hr | $173k–$231k |
| Level IV | 13+ yrs | Bachelors | $183/hr – $258/hr | $205/hr | $178k–$237k |
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $112/hr – $167/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $140/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $121k–$161k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $140/hr – $197/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $167/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $145k–$193k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $170/hr – $239/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $200/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $173k–$231k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $183/hr – $258/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $205/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $178k–$237k
GSA ceiling rate: what the government pays the contractor, not your salary. It includes overhead, benefits, and profit. Source: GSA CALC+, current contract year, synced Oct 25, 2026, 1,517 rates.
Clearance for this labor category
About 10% of Data Scientist GSA rates require a clearance. Put your clearance on the very first line of your resume, under your name and contact info. Level and status only. Never list program names, SCI caveats, or classified details. Use the free Clearance Formatter.
Sample Data Scientist resume bullets
Public-safe, quantified examples. Replace the numbers with your own.
- Developed a machine learning model that reduced data processing latency by 30 percent, supporting a user base of 500 plus federal employees.
- Managed a $2M data analytics project, delivering actionable insights that improved supply chain efficiency by 15 percent over an 18-month period.
- Automated data extraction processes for four disparate agency systems, saving 20 labor hours per week for the reporting team.
What level Data Scientist are you?
Enter your years, education, certifications, and clearance. Get your likely level, the GSA rate range for that level, and what would move you up.
With 0 years of relevant experience and a no degree, your effective experience is about 0 years. Under the common GSA CALC+ rule that a degree step substitutes for roughly 2 years, that maps to Level I. Verify against the specific contract.
Move up · To reach Level II, add about 4 more years of relevant experience, or earn a certification the contract requires (e.g. Security+, PMP) that the contract requires.
GSA ceiling rate: what the government pays the contractor, not your salary. It includes overhead, benefits, and profit. Source: GSA CALC+, current contract year, synced Oct 25, 2026, 412 rates.
No account needed. Opens the free translator prefilled with Data Scientist. Share link encodes only your selections, no names.
Data Scientist labor category: quick answers
Do I need a security clearance to work as a Data Scientist in GovCon?
Only a small percentage of roles require high-level clearances. While some positions demand it, many commercial and federal data roles only require standard background checks.
How does my military experience map to these levels?
If you performed technical analysis, managed logistics, or worked in intelligence roles, your experience often counts toward the years of experience requirements. Be sure to highlight your proficiency in SQL, Python, or data visualization tools on your resume.
What is the typical pay range for these roles?
Based on market data, hourly rates for federal contractors typically range from $139 to over $200 per hour depending on your level of expertise, education, and the complexity of the contract.
Is a graduate degree required for a Data Scientist role?
While a Bachelor degree is the standard entry point, Level III and IV roles often prefer or require a Master degree in a quantitative field or a significant portfolio of professional work to compensate.
Reviewed by the Good to Go team · Last updated 2026-10-21 · Sources: GSA CALC+, O*NET
More about this roleShow
On federal contracts, these roles are typically tiered based on experience and academic background. Junior roles (Level I/II) focus on data cleaning, visualization, and executing established models, requiring a Bachelor’s degree and a few years of relevant experience. Senior roles (Level III/IV) require advanced degrees or significant subject matter expertise to lead model architecture, perform deep analytical research, and advise federal leadership on data-driven strategy. Transitioning service members often find that their experience with operational data and analytical problem-solving translates well here, provided they possess proficiency in programming languages like Python or R and SQL. This role is essential for helping the government leverage modern technology to improve operational efficiency and public services.
Each contract defines its own labor categories and levels, so confirm the fit against the posting. Pay figures here are estimates from GSA CALC+ ceiling rates, not a guarantee.
Find your Data Scientist level
Enter your years, education, certifications, and clearance. Get your likely level and the GSA rate range for it.
Open the Level Calculator