Data Lead Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average Data Lead salary lies between USD 89,000 and USD 172,080 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Jan. 12, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Data Lead roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Data Lead job listings are Data management, Data quality and SQL. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Data management | 134 jobs Data quality | 104 jobs SQL | 100 jobs Engineering | 100 jobs Data governance | 98 jobs Architecture | 78 jobs Research | 70 jobs Python | 67 jobs Security | 61 jobs Data analysis | 58 jobs Computer Science | 58 jobs Data strategy | 55 jobs Finance | 53 jobs Testing | 52 jobs Power BI | 51 jobs Agile | 51 jobs Data Analytics | 50 jobs ETL | 49 jobs Tableau | 48 jobs Machine Learning | 47 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Data Lead roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Data Lead job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 155 jobs Health care | 84 jobs Flex hours | 79 jobs Startup environment | 71 jobs Competitive pay | 63 jobs Team events | 49 jobs Parental leave | 41 jobs Equity / stock options | 40 jobs Insurance | 37 jobs Salary bonus | 32 jobs Medical leave | 30 jobs Wellness | 23 jobs Flex vacation | 21 jobs Fitness / gym | 18 jobs Home office stipend | 13 jobs 401(k) matching | 12 jobs Transparency | 12 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 8 jobs Gear | 6 jobs Relocation support | 6 jobs

Salary Composition for a Data Lead Role

The salary composition for a Data Lead role typically includes a mix of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size.

• Region: In North America, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but the cost of living is also elevated. In contrast, European companies might offer a more balanced package with a slightly lower base but higher benefits and work-life balance.
• Industry: In finance or healthcare, bonuses might be more substantial due to the high stakes and profitability of these sectors. Tech companies might offer more in terms of stock options.
• Company Size: Larger companies often provide more structured bonus programs and additional perks, while startups might offer significant equity to compensate for a lower base salary.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Data Lead Position

To increase your salary from a Data Lead position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies and methodologies in AI/ML and data science. Specializing in niche areas can make you more valuable.
• Leadership Roles: Aim for roles with greater responsibility, such as Head of Data Science or Chief Data Officer, which naturally come with higher compensation.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for salary increases during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements for a Data Lead Role

Most Data Lead positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve complex data modeling and strategic decision-making. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of data science principles and enhance your credibility.

Helpful Certifications for a Data Lead Role

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can bolster your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to the field:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): Validates your ability to transform data into valuable insights.
• Google Professional Data Engineer: Focuses on designing, building, and operationalizing data processing systems.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates expertise in building, training, tuning, and deploying ML models on AWS.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate: Validates your skills in applying data science techniques on Azure.

Experience Required for a Data Lead Role

Typically, a Data Lead role requires 5-10 years of experience in data science or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with data analysis, machine learning, and data engineering. Leadership experience is also crucial, as the role involves managing teams and projects. Experience in a specific industry can be beneficial, as it provides domain knowledge that can be critical for strategic decision-making.

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