Amazon runs on data. From routing Prime trucks to teaching Alexa new tricks, data scientists shape what comes next. The question you care about is simple: how much does Amazon really pay its data scientists in 2025, and how do you push for the top of the band?
This guide breaks down the L-levels, explains how base pay, sign-on, and stock work together, shares 2025 ranges by level, and calls out what other guides often miss. Read this before you accept or counter an offer.
At Amazon, pay and level go hand in hand. Each step up the ladder comes with more ownership, tougher challenges, and bigger checks. Here is how the levels break down.
Often, this is the entry point for someone with a master’s degree, Ph.D., or one to three years of experience.
At this stage, the focus is on delivering well-defined analyses and supporting projects with clear goals. You’re expected to apply solid technical skills while learning how Amazon operates at scale.
This is where most data scientists at Amazon sit. Candidates usually bring three to five+ years of experience. You’re trusted to manage end-to-end projects, deal with ambiguous requirements, and influence business direction through your models and insights. It’s a level where independence becomes key.
A career milestone for many. With five to 10+ years behind you, this role demands leadership on large, ambiguous projects. You’re not just building models, you’re setting standards and mentoring others. It’s a point where the balance shifts from execution to guidance and impact at scale.
Reserved for top-tier contributors. Principals define the scientific roadmap for entire organizations, taking on Amazon’s toughest data problems. Their work reaches across teams and influences company strategy. At this level, technical depth, vision, and communication skill carry as much weight as raw modeling ability.
Amazon structures compensation with a clear formula. Your total package is built from three moving parts, and knowing how each piece works helps you negotiate with precision.
This is the steady paycheck that shows up no matter what. Amazon’s base is competitive with peers, but as you climb the ladder, it represents a smaller share of your overall compensation compared with equity.
Amazon uses a sign-on bonus, not an annual performance bonus. It’s spread out in monthly installments across your first two years. The purpose is simple: it fills the gap created by Amazon’s slow equity vesting early on. Many salary sites get this wrong, so don’t assume it repeats each year.
This is the real engine of wealth at Amazon. You’ll be granted shares that vest over four years on a schedule designed to keep you long term. The pattern is unusual:
The heavy backload means your earnings accelerate in years three and four, which is why understanding stock is just as critical as negotiating your base.
The numbers below reflect 2025 estimates for the U.S. market, pulled from verified sources like Levels.fyi and recent offer data.
Keep in mind that packages vary widely. Location matters (Seattle, the Bay Area, and New York tend to pay more than mid-tier cities), interview performance can shift you within a band, and your ability to negotiate often determines whether you land near the middle or the top.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect by level:
| Level | Title | Est. Base Salary (2025) | Est. Sign-On Bonus (Y1+Y2 Total) | Est. RSU Grant (4-Year Value) | Est. Total Comp (Avg. Year 1) |
| L4 | DS I | $130,000 to $155,000 | $35,000 to $70,000 | $70,000 to $120,000 | $175,000 to $230,000 |
| L5 | DS II | $160,000 to $185,000 | $60,000 to $100,000 | $180,000 to $300,000 | $250,000 to $350,000 |
| L6 | Senior DS | $180,000 to $225,000 | Varies, often smaller | $350,000 to $650,000 | $400,000 to $580,000+ |
| L7/L8 | Principal DS | $220,000 to $260,000+ | Rare, negotiated | $700,000 to $1,500,000+ | $600,000 to $900,000+ |
You might come across numbers like $165,018 listed as the average salary for an Amazon Data Scientist.
The problem is that these figures are often misleading because they only account for base pay. What they leave out is the value of bonuses and stock grants, which can often double the total package.
If you want a clearer picture, it’s better to check platforms such as levels.fyi, where users share their full compensation breakdowns.
Based on those reports, the median total compensation for a Data Scientist at Amazon in the U.S. is closer to $300,000, showing just how important those non-base components really are.
It’s worth expanding your search beyond the standard Data Scientist track. Amazon also hires heavily for Applied Scientist positions, which are among the most sought-after roles at the company.
Applied Scientists usually work on more open-ended and research-driven problems. They are expected to have deeper skills in areas like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision. The added complexity pays off, too, as compensation for Applied Scientists often runs 15 to 25% higher than equivalent Data Scientist levels.
Landing an offer at Amazon is only the first step. To secure the best possible package, you need to understand what drives their compensation decisions and use that knowledge to your advantage.
Landing a data scientist role at Amazon can reshape your career. The pay is among the best in the industry, though much of it depends on stock and bonuses, so understanding the L-level system is vital.
Securing a strong offer takes more than coding skill; it requires focused preparation for Amazon’s unique interview style.
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