Data scientist

Data scientist

Data scientist

Also known as: Business intelligence analyst, computer scientist, research scientist, financial quantitative analyst, operations research analyst, statistician, bioinformatics scientist, biostatistician, mathematician

Data science sits at the intersection of mathematics, programming, and business intuition, making it one of the most intellectually diverse careers out there. From training AI models to fighting climate change with smarter predictions, this is one of the fastest-growing careers of the decade. If you're curious, analytical, and ready to work on tomorrow's biggest problems, keep reading.

Duties

  • Clean up messy data Real-world data is almost never neat. It's full of typos, missing values, and weird formatting. Before any cool analysis can happen, a data scientist has to fix it. Think of it like laying a foundation—if it's uneven or full of cracks, everything built on top of it will eventually collapse.
  • Data analysis & statistical modeling This is where data science feels like magic—except it's math. Using statistics, probability, and analytical software, a data scientist digs into data to find patterns, test hypotheses, and understand what the numbers are really saying. It's about predicting the future, but also about understanding what's happening right now and why.
  • Model development & validation Building a model is only the beginning. Data scientists design custom algorithms when existing tools fall short, then rigorously test and refine them to make sure they actually work. Like an engineer stress-testing a bridge, validation is what separates a model that looks good on paper from one you can trust in the real world.
  • Data visualization & reporting Crunching numbers is only half the job—the other half is making people care about what you found. Data scientists present discoveries to executives, clients, or teammates who aren't technical. That means building clear charts, dashboards, and visualizations, and explaining complex ideas in plain language.
  • Business problem-solving & strategy Data science exists to solve real problems. A data scientist has to understand what a business actually needs before writing a single line of code. That means talking to stakeholders, asking the right questions, and translating messy business challenges into clear, data-based problems.

Education

Minimum qualification: Master’s degree

Most common program: Data Science

Data scientist - Data science

A mindmap-style diagram shows both typical and alternative pathways to enter into this role. It maps out different education and career steps, with routes that intersect. Select each step in the diagram to learn more.

Salary

  • Entry level: 80000
  • Mid level: 125000
  • Senior level: 180000

Job outlook

Job openings: 20800

Demand: Rapid growth

  • AI and machine learning adoption is driving demand for experts who can build predictive models across industries. (Projected job growth from 2023–2033 is 36%—much faster than average for all occupations.)
  • Demand spans tech, consulting, insurance, research, and hospitals, making this a highly versatile STEM career path. (Top-paying industries include computer systems design and scientific research, with salaries topping $194K.)
  • Generative AI is reshaping the field, boosting demand for strong problem-solvers and clear communicators. (Data scientist ranks among the fastest-growing U.S. occupations.)

Quote

Be versatile. Be inquisitive. Character matters. Identify that which you know that you know, and don't try not to fail, but try to have success in failure.

Dr. Calandra Tate Moore, Data scientist

Read Calandra's story

Dr. Moore once wondered, "what could anyone possibly do with a math degree?" The answer is: plenty! Her career has taken her from leading statistical analysis at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, to teaching at West Point and the City University of New York, to her current role as a federal data scientist applying math to fields like health, biology, and artificial intelligence.

Learn more

Related careers

Sources

. 365 Data Science. (2025). Data scientist job outlook 2025. , Adam Ross Nelson. (2024). The rising demand for data scientists: What's driving the job market growth? , Comrise. (2024). Top tech careers for 2025: The rise of data scientists and engineers. LinkedIn. , Harvard Extension School. (2025). Careers in STEM: Why should I study data science? , IMARC. (2024). United States data science platform market report by component, application, vertical, and region 2025-2033. , KDnuggets. (2022). The current state of data science careers. , NASA. (2024). Public participation in machine learning bolsters extraterrestrial research. , U.S. News & World Report. (n.d.). Data scientist overview.