Data Scientist: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Data Scientists earn a national median of $112,590/yr with 33.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Mathematics.
Median Salary
$112,590
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
33.5%
Much faster than average
Employed Nationally
233,440
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Data Scientist
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Data Scientist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Data Scientist performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Data Scientist roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 33.5% for Data Scientist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's much faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 233,440
- Projected Growth
- 33.5%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Data Scientist roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase Global | $212,200 | 5 |
| Netflix Inc | $211,536 | 4 |
| Meta Platforms Inc | $190,000 | 123 |
| DoorDash Inc | $180,128 | 7 |
| PayPal Holdings | $178,245 | 17 |
| Google LLC | $174,000 | 163 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Data Scientist do?
- Data Scientists apply expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Mathematics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking.
- How much does a Data Scientist make?
- The national median salary for a Data Scientist is $112,590 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Data Scientist a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Data Scientist roles is projected to grow 33.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — much faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 233,440 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Data Scientist?
- The typical entry-level education for a Data Scientist is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Data Scientists need?
- The most important skills for Data Scientist roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Mathematics, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring. Key tools and technologies include: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, C, C++.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.