Data Scientist Salary in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average Data Scientist salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 203,000 in the United States. 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.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 15, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Data Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Data Scientist job listings are Python, Machine Learning and Statistics. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 4066 jobs Machine Learning | 3600 jobs Statistics | 3281 jobs SQL | 3082 jobs Engineering | 2829 jobs Computer Science | 2162 jobs R | 2101 jobs Mathematics | 1963 jobs Research | 1870 jobs ML models | 1341 jobs Data analysis | 1121 jobs Testing | 1103 jobs Tableau | 985 jobs Spark | 982 jobs AWS | 965 jobs Big Data | 908 jobs Deep Learning | 897 jobs PhD | 837 jobs NLP | 824 jobs Pipelines | 809 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Data Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Data Scientist job listings are Career development, Health care and Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 3338 jobs Health care | 1592 jobs Startup environment | 1209 jobs Flex hours | 1202 jobs Equity / stock options | 1081 jobs Competitive pay | 1078 jobs Team events | 992 jobs Flex vacation | 924 jobs Insurance | 808 jobs Parental leave | 779 jobs Salary bonus | 767 jobs Medical leave | 566 jobs Wellness | 468 jobs 401(k) matching | 466 jobs Home office stipend | 326 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 308 jobs Conferences | 254 jobs Fitness / gym | 191 jobs Gear | 140 jobs Relocation support | 138 jobs

Salary Composition for Data Scientists in the United States

The salary composition for a Data Scientist in the United States typically includes a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s performance, individual performance, and industry standards. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, bonuses and stock options can form a substantial part of the compensation. In contrast, in regions with a lower cost of living, the base salary might be more dominant. Larger companies or those in high-demand industries like finance or technology often offer more competitive packages, including higher bonuses and equity options, compared to smaller companies or those in less competitive industries.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Data Scientist Position

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

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within data science, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or big data technologies, which are in high demand and can command higher salaries.
• Pursue Advanced Education: Obtaining a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open doors to higher-level positions and salary brackets.
• Gain Leadership Experience: Transitioning into a managerial or lead data scientist role can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Negotiate Effectively: Develop strong negotiation skills to ensure you are maximizing your compensation during job offers or performance reviews.
• Expand Your Network: Building a strong professional network can lead to opportunities in higher-paying roles or companies.

Educational Requirements for Data Scientist Positions

Most data scientist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, or engineering. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or Ph.D. due to the complex nature of the work. Advanced degrees often provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical methods, and data analysis techniques, which are crucial for the role.

Helpful Certifications for Data Scientists

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you a more attractive candidate.

Experience Required for Data Scientist Roles

Typically, data scientist roles require at least 2-5 years of experience in a related field. This experience can include working with data analysis, statistical modeling, or machine learning. Internships, research projects, or relevant work experience during your education can also be beneficial. For senior roles, more extensive experience, often 5-10 years, is expected, along with a proven track record of leading projects and teams.

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