### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Data Scientists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			data-scientistsData scientists use machine learning to classify data.							
						Quick Facts:     Data Scientists2023     Median Pay
            						$108,020     per year
										$51.93     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    168,900Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    35% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    59,400What Data Scientists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Data scientists spend much of their time in an office setting. Most work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Data Scientist
                                                
                        
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field to enter the occupation. Some employers require or prefer that applicants have a master’s or doctoral degree.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for data scientists was $108,020 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of data scientists is projected to grow							 35 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 17,700 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for data scientists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of data scientists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about data scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Data Scientists Do 
            

			data-scientistsTo present their findings, these scientists often make use of data visualization.			
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 analysisData 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.
 Work Environment
			data-scientistsData scientists typically work in an office setting.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Data scientists held about 168,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of data scientists were as follows:
        Computer systems design and related services
                13%Insurance carriers and related activities
                9Management of companies and enterprises
                8Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                7Scientific research and development services
                5Data 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-scientistsData 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.
Education
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, but some jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree. Common fields of degree include mathematics, statistics, computer science, business, and engineering.
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.
***Math 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 ScientistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Data scientists$108,020  Mathematical science occupations$101,460  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: 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
                $126,430Computer systems design and related services
                118,400Management of companies and enterprises
                114,780Insurance carriers and related activities
                104,390Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                103,000Most data scientists work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Data ScientistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Data scientists35%  Mathematical science occupations29%  Total, all occupations3%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				 35 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 17,700 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, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Data scientists**
			15-2051
			168,900
			228,200
			35
			59,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Data scientists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of data scientists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Actuaries**
            Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty.
            Bachelor's degree
            $120,000**Computer and Information Research Scientists**
            Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.
            Master's degree
            $145,080**Economists**
            Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.
            Master's degree
            $115,730**Financial Analysts**
            Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,890**Market Research Analysts**
            Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,680**Mathematicians and Statisticians**
            Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.
            Master's degree
            $104,860**Operations Research Analysts**
            Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help solve complex issues.
            Bachelor's degree
            $83,640**Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers**
            Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $130,160**Survey Researchers**
            Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.
            Master's degree
            $60,960
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about data scientists, visit
Academic Data Science Alliance
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Business Intelligence AnalystsClinical Data ManagersData Scientists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data Scientists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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