What does a data scientist do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to pull useful insights out of data and help organizations make decisions. At least a bachelor's degree is typical in the US, and no license is required. BLS reports a median pay of $120,230 per year (May 2025).
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 15-2051 (Data Scientists) |
| O*NET code | 15-2051.00 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree (some employers prefer a master's or doctorate) |
| Licensing | None described by BLS |
| Median annual wage | $120,230 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | 35 percent, 2025 to 2035 |
| Number of jobs | 275,600 (2025) |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.
What does a data scientist do?
Data scientists identify which data are available and useful for a project, then collect, categorize and analyze that data. They create, validate, test and update algorithms and models, use data visualization software to present findings, and make business recommendations to stakeholders. They often clean raw, unstructured data so software can read it, and they may build machine learning models. Some specialize in engineering, research or business strategy.
Work environment
Data scientists typically work in an office and most work full time. BLS counts about 275,600 jobs in 2025. Major employers include publishing, broadcasting and content providers (12 percent), insurance carriers (10 percent), computer systems design (10 percent), management of companies (10 percent) and credit intermediation (6 percent).
Education, training and licensing
BLS says data scientists need at least a bachelor's degree, often in mathematics, statistics, computer science, business or engineering. Some employers require or prefer a master's or doctoral degree. BLS suggests high school coursework in linear algebra, calculus, and probability and statistics. Some employers also want industry-related experience or coursework, such as finance for an asset management firm. The OOH page does not describe a required license.
Skills that matter
BLS lists analytical, computer, communication, logical-thinking, math and problem-solving skills as important qualities. O*NET ranks mathematics, critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning and speaking among the top skills for data scientists.
How much does a data scientist make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $120,230 (May 2025) for data scientists. BLS also prints that the lowest 10 percent earned less than $67,240 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $199,130 (May 2025). By industry, BLS reports a median of $142,240 in publishing, broadcasting and content providers and $108,650 in insurance carriers (May 2025).
See the OOH pay tab and the OEWS data for your area. Our guide to researching pay explains how to read the figures.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 35 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3 percent average for all occupations, with about 24,800 openings per year on average. BLS expects growth from rising demand for data-driven decisions and from firms integrating AI-based systems. Many openings also come from replacing workers who transfer occupations or leave the labor force.
How to get hired
- Build a portfolio of two or three analyses: the question, the data, the method and the result, with code others can run.
- Show your tools and methods on your resume in plain terms, tied to a result.
- Moving from another field? Follow the career change resume guide.
- Use networking to find teams that work with the kind of data you want to analyze.
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Actuaries, computer and information research scientists, economists, financial analysts, market research analysts, mathematicians and statisticians, and operations research analysts.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do I need to become a data scientist? BLS says at least a bachelor's degree, often in mathematics, statistics, computer science, business or engineering. Some employers require or prefer a master's or doctoral degree.
Do data scientists need a license? The BLS page for this occupation does not describe a required license. Employers set their own requirements, so read each posting.
Is data science a fast-growing field? BLS projects 35 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 24,800 openings per year.
What do data scientists do day to day? Per BLS, they collect and clean data, build and test models, present findings with visualization software and make recommendations to stakeholders.
Related guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data scientists: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 15-2051.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2051.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
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