Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using numbers, measurements, formulas, quantitative reasoning, and mathematical concepts.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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.
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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 35 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,800 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 analyze the large amounts of information and data collected. Moreover, firms are expected to continue to integrate artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems into their workflows. Data scientists will be needed to help businesses leverage AI and other technologies to enhance their business processes, to make informed decisions, to design and develop new products, and to better market their products. Data Scientists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Data scientists 35% Mathematical science occupations 25% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Data Scientists Do
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.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Data scientists held about 275,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of data scientists were as follows:
| Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers | 12% |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 10 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 10 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10 |
| Credit intermediation and related activities | 6 |
Data scientists spend much of their time in an office setting.
Work Schedules
Most data scientists work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
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.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.