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Data Science Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... contract award. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must have an active Top Secret w/SCI eligibility ... Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in data science Preferred Qualifications

Data Scientist III

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$125K - $207K/yr

... contract award. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must have an active Top Secret w/SCI eligibility ... Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in data science Preferred Qualifications

Data Scientist, Mid

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

On our team, you'll use your analytical skills and data science knowledge to create real-world ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Scientist

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

On our team, you'll use your analytical skills and data science knowledge to create real-world ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Scientist

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

On our team, you'll use your analytical skills and data science knowledge to create real-world ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Scientist

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

On our team, you'll use your analytical skills and data science knowledge to create real-world ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Scientist

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

On our team, you'll use your analytical skills and data science knowledge to create real-world ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Contract * 50% - Consulting with internal teams (economists, analysts) to design and implement AI ... Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related quantitative ...

Sr Data Scientist

Thousand Oaks, CA ยท On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Apply statistical, analytical, and data science methods to identify patterns, generate insights ... Knowledge of External Supply, contract manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, GMP operations ...

Data Scientist

Glendale, CA ยท On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Contract (12 Months) Location: Glendale, CA, USA Work Hours: 8 hours/day | 40 hours/week Experience Required: 5 - 20 Years Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced Data Scientist specializing in ...

Showing results 21-40

Data Science Contract information

See California salary details

$23K

$108.6K

$200.7K

How much do data science contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for data science contract in California is $108,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,326.00 and $152,270.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data science contract?

A Data Science Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where a data scientist is hired for a specific period to work on data-related tasks such as analysis, machine learning, or model development. These roles can be short-term (a few months) or long-term but lack the benefits and job security of full-time employment. Contract data scientists often work with multiple clients, bringing expertise to solve business problems without a long-term commitment.

What kinds of projects and day-to-day tasks can I expect as a data science contract professional?

As a Data Science Contract professional, you can expect to work on a variety of projects such as developing predictive models, analyzing large datasets, creating data visualizations, or advising organizations on best practices for data-driven decision making. Your day-to-day tasks may involve collaborating closely with clients or internal stakeholders to clarify objectives, cleaning and preparing data, developing algorithms, and presenting your findings in clear, actionable formats. Projects often vary in length and scope, offering exciting opportunities to tackle new business challenges across different industries. Flexibility and effective time management are essential, as balancing project deadlines and adapting quickly to new tools or domains are common aspects of contract-based work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the data science contract position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Science Contract professional, you need a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, data manipulation, and advanced proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, typically supported by a relevant degree. Experience with data visualization tools, cloud platforms, and certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics or Microsoft Certified: Data Scientist are highly valued. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and interpreting client needs. These skills ensure that contract-based data scientists can deliver actionable insights, adapt to new environments, and effectively address client-specific problems within limited project timelines.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Science jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Science jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Data Science Contract jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Science Contract jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Data Science Contract jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Science Contract job openings:
Infographic showing various Data Science Contract job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,565 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Senior Data Scientist Rundoo USA USD 201,000 - 248,000

Neura Market

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$150 - $230/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About the role

Youโ€™ll own data science at Rundoo end-to-end: turning ambiguous business questions into crisp scopes, delivering robust analysis on predictable timelines, and building lightweight internal systems so insights are reproducible (not just a one-off notebook). Youโ€™ll be a thought partner to leaders across GTM, product, and finance โ€” shaping the question as much as answering it โ€” and proactively surfacing anomalies and opportunities as the business scales.

This is a remote role with a strong preference for candidates based in SF or NYC. You will report directly to the Head of Data Science.

What youโ€™ll do as a Data Scientist at Rundoo
  • Deliver high-trust analysis on clear timelines: stakeholders trust both the answer and the ETA; assumptions and limits are explicit.
  • Translate business problems into analysis + system requirements: turn vague asks into crisp scopes, metrics definitions, and data contracts.
  • Build and maintain internal decision systems: ship lightweight tools/workflows so insights are reproducible and maintainable by others.
  • Partner with GTM teams: help Sales/GTM move from โ€œinteresting analysisโ€ to actions (e.g., prospecting lists, territory design, experimentation).
  • Proactively surface issues: detect anomalies, broken assumptions, or misallocated spend without waiting for a ticket.
  • Support fundraising readiness: contribute to an evergreen, credible data pool and reporting that leadership can rely on.
Requirements
  • 5+ years of experience in data science, analytics, applied ML or MLE in a high-growth environment
  • Strong applied analytics / data science foundation (statistics, experimentation, causal thinking, forecasting, etc.).
  • Demonstrated ability to scope ambiguous problems and drive to decisions with stakeholders.
  • Comfort writing production-quality code (especially Python) and building maintainable internal systems (not just notebooks).
  • Excellent communication: can explain tradeoffs, assumptions, and recommendations to non-technical audiences.
  • High ownership and autonomy in a fast-paced environment; can operate without a lot of process.
Bonus points
  • Experience partnering closely with Sales/GTM teams (pipeline, conversion, pricing, prospecting, territories, etc.).
  • Experience building internal analytics tooling on cloud infrastructure (basic best practices, reliability, maintainability).
  • Experience operating in early-stage startups and/or building โ€œv1 systemsโ€ that later scale.
  • Strong โ€œstructured systems thinkingโ€ and willingness to defend or revise an approach under scrutiny.
Location
  • Remote friendly
  • Expect ~1 week of travel per quarter to either our Chicago or Redwood City offices.
Benefits
  • Full medical, dental, and vision coverage (100% of premiums for you, 50% for dependents)
  • 401k with Betterment
  • Unlimited PTO with 10 company paid holidays
  • Gym allowance
  • Daily team lunches for those in office
  • Learning materials and audiobook subscriptions
  • Dog-friendly office in Redwood City - https://rundoo.ai/rundogs/
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