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Data Science Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Data Science And Ai

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Build visual models to analyze and process image, video, and text data and combine them with ... Role will have option to convert full time after initial contract with generous equity. #J-18808 ...

Health Plan Data Scientist

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$106 - $183/hr

Apply data science and analytical methods (such as segmentation, trend analysis, statistical modeling, and GenAI-enabled synthesis) to claims, clinical, and contract data to identify, size, and ...

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 ...

Data Scientist II

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$120 - $155/hr

Contract, Full-Time (Potential to extend) Location: San Diego, CA (Onsite) We're partnering with a leading fintech company in San Diego to hire a Data Scientist II supporting their Customer Success ...

New

Showing results 41-60

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 Sep 4, 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 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, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,565 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Data Science And Ai

shefsolutionsllc

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

We are on a mission to revolutionize online coaching and e-commerce with AI. We are currently in Stealth mode and based in SF Bay Area. Our team comprises visionaries, researchers, and engineers committed to pushing the boundaries of AI to create transformative solutions. Join our diverse and collaborative team and play a pivotal role in harnessing AIโ€™s incredible power to help professionals reach their full potential.

Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize neural network architectures, including CNNs, for real-time image analysis and pattern recognition.
  • Adapt pre-trained language models to our specific domain and use cases.
  • Develop and deploy state-of-the-art computer vision models for real-time applications.
  • Experiment with different fine-tuning techniques to improve model performance on relevant tasks.
  • Build visual models to analyze and process image, video, and text data and combine them with additional external and internal sources of multi-modal data.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Experienced in machine learning and computer vision, in research and/or production.
  • Proficient in computer vision technologies and frameworks (e.g., OpenCV, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
  • Masterโ€™s, PhD, or equivalent industry experience.
  • Strong desire to build and scale a startup from the early days.
Required Skills
  • Experience with computer vision or multi-modal tasks like semantic segmentation, object detection, instance segmentation, text-to-image, etc.
  • Knowledge of neural networks, CNNs, and image processing techniques.
  • Understanding of multimodal models, modern ML architectures (transformers, diffusion models, etc.), and imitation/reinforcement learning.
  • Understanding of AI/ML concepts, algorithms, and techniques, with handsโ€‘on experience in LLMs (e.g., GPTโ€‘3, LaMDA), computer vision (e.g., CNNs, object detection).
  • Experience in quality detection, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection using machine learning techniques.
Nice to Have
  • Experience working at a startup.
  • Experience with realโ€‘time video analysis, object detection, and scene understanding.
  • Experience with visual transformers and their applications in computer vision tasks such as 3D modeling, neural rendering or advanced video processing.
  • Experience with openโ€‘source frameworks for building applications powered by language models like LangChain, LlamaIndex, etc.
  • Experience with largeโ€‘scale machine learning systems such as profiling and debugging and understanding of system performance and scalability.
  • Peerโ€‘reviewed publications in multiโ€‘modality, large language models, continual learning and/or federated learning.
Note
  • Role does not sponsor visa at this time.
  • Role will have option to convert full time after initial contract with generous equity.
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