Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
Data Scientists
SOC: 15-2051 O*NET: 15-2051.00
Median Salary
$112,590
per year
Job Growth
🚀 33.5%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
23.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
What does a Data Scientists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$63,650
10th percentile
Early Career
$82,630
25th percentile
Median
$112,590
50th percentile
Experienced
$155,810
75th percentile
Top Earners
$194,410
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$63,650
25th
$82,630
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$112,590
Mean: $124,590
75th
$155,810
90th
$194,410
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $130,760 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $82,630 and $155,810
- •Salary spread is 65.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 233,440 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:245,900
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services29.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services29.7%
Finance and Insurance17.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+33.5%
Annual Openings:23,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)245,900
Current
2034 (Projected)328,300
+33.5%
+82,500
Employment Change
+33.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Data Scientists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
36,850 jobs$136,8001.35x
Texas
23,420 jobs$106,5401.12x
New York
20,070 jobs$125,4001.39x
Pennsylvania
10,430 jobs$100,3201.15x
North Carolina
10,140 jobs$115,3801.37x
Massachusetts
9,990 jobs$132,2501.81x
Florida
9,480 jobs$105,8200.64x
Washington
7,930 jobs$158,7601.48x
Georgia
7,730 jobs$102,6301.05x
Illinois
7,390 jobs$113,4900.80x
Colorado
6,750 jobs$106,5001.54x
Michigan
6,450 jobs$99,4700.97x
Virginia
6,200 jobs$126,0701.01x
New Jersey
5,860 jobs$130,3700.91x
Ohio
5,510 jobs$98,6200.66x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Data Scientists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechTensorFlow
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechDocker
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechKubernetes
🔥 Hot TechAlteryx software
🔥 Hot TechApache Spark
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Power BI
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
TensorFlow
The MathWorks MATLAB
Docker
GitHub
Kubernetes
Alteryx software
Apache Spark
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
Atlassian JIRA
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
0
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (1)
1
Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Data Scientists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Data Scientists professionals typically have a ICA Holland code
IInvestigative
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Data Scientists
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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