Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
Duties
Data scientists typically do the following:
Determine which data are available and useful for the project
Collect, categorize, and analyze data
Create, validate, test, and update algorithms and models
Use data visualization software to present findings
Make business recommendations to stakeholders based on data analysis
Data scientists often begin a project by gathering or identifying relevant data sources, such as surveys. They may use a variety of methods to obtain data, including through access to other organizations’ databases or by using web-scraping tools (software that extracts specific information from websites). They may start with large, unstructured datasets, commonly referred to as raw data. To properly analyze the data, these scientists must “clean” the raw data, a process by which they structure the data to make them readable by software programs.
Data scientists develop algorithms (sets of instructions that tell computers what to do) and models to support programs for machine learning. They use machine learning to classify or categorize data or to make predictions related to the models. Scientists also must test the algorithms and models for accuracy, including for updates with newly collected data.
Data scientists often use data visualization software to present their findings as charts, maps, and other graphics. Visualization techniques allow data scientists to clearly communicate their analyses to technical and nontechnical audiences, including colleagues, managers, and clients. Ensuring that audiences understand the information helps data scientists make recommendations for business decisions or process changes based on the results of their analysis.
Some data scientists choose to focus on a particular area of work. For example, data scientists who have a strong coding or engineering background may develop or recommend systems, build machine learning algorithms, and devise ways to enhance web-browsing functions. Others conduct research for reports or academic journals. Still others focus on improving business strategy for activities such as marketing, sales, and user engagement.
To present their findings, these scientists often make use of data visualization.
Work Environment
Data scientists typically work in an office setting.
Data scientists held about 202,900 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of data scientists were as follows:
Computer systems design and related services
11%
Insurance carriers and related activities
10
Management of companies and enterprises
9
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
6
Scientific research and development services
5
Data scientists spend much of their time in an office setting.
Work Schedules
Most data scientists work full-time.
How to Become a Data Scientist
Data scientists need strong computer skills.
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field to enter the occupation. However, some employers require or prefer that candidates have a master’s or doctoral degree.
Because data science involves the use of algorithms and statistical techniques, students need extensive study in mathematics and statistics. High school students interested in becoming data scientists should take classes in subjects such as linear algebra, calculus, and probability and statistics.
At the college level, courses in computer science are important in addition to math and statistics. Students must learn data-oriented programming languages as well as statistical, database, and other software for presenting analyses.
Other Experience
Some employers require industry-related experience or education. For example, data scientists seeking work in an asset management company may need to have experience in the finance industry or to have completed coursework that demonstrates an understanding of investments, banking, or related subjects.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills.Data scientists must be adept at researching and at examining and interpreting findings.
Computer skills.Data scientists must be able to write code, analyze data, develop or improve algorithms, and use data visualization tools.
Communication skills.Data scientists must be able to convey the results of their analysis to technical and nontechnical audiences to make business recommendations.
Logical-thinking skills. Data scientists must understand and be able to design and develop statistical models and to analyze data.
Maths skills.Data scientists use statistical methods to collect and organize data.
Problem-solving skills.Data scientists must devise solutions to the problems they encounter in data collection and cleaning and in developing statistical models and algorithms.
Pay
Data Scientists
Median annual wages, May 2023
Data scientists
$108,020
Mathematical science occupations
$101,460
Total, all occupations
$48,060
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
The median annual wage for data scientists was $108,020 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,070, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $184,090.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for data scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Scientific research and development services
$126,430
Computer systems design and related services
118,400
Management of companies and enterprises
114,780
Insurance carriers and related activities
104,390
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 20,800 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Employment growth for data scientists is expected to stem from an increased demand for data-driven decisions. The volume of data available and the potential uses for that data will increase over the projections decade. As a result, organizations will likely need more data scientists to mine and analyze the large amounts of information and data collected. Data scientists’ analysis will help organizations to make informed decisions and improve their business processes, to design and develop new products, and to better market their products.
Employment projections data for data scientists, 2023-33
Occupational Title
SOC Code
Employment, 2023
Projected Employment, 2033
Change, 2023-33
Employment by Industry
Percent
Numeric
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.
Master's degree
$60,960
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