Data Scientist Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Data Scientist salary lies between USD 116,000 and USD 200,000 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: Jan. 19, 2025

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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 13467 jobs Machine Learning | 12155 jobs Statistics | 11467 jobs SQL | 9945 jobs Engineering | 9540 jobs Computer Science | 7764 jobs R | 7227 jobs Mathematics | 6885 jobs Research | 6453 jobs ML models | 4877 jobs Data analysis | 4837 jobs Testing | 4082 jobs AWS | 3967 jobs Deep Learning | 3430 jobs Pipelines | 3280 jobs Spark | 3210 jobs Data visualization | 3160 jobs NLP | 3147 jobs PhD | 2959 jobs Big Data | 2948 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 Equity / stock options. 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 | 11513 jobs Health care | 5941 jobs Equity / stock options | 4259 jobs Flex hours | 3882 jobs Startup environment | 3384 jobs Competitive pay | 3153 jobs Salary bonus | 3052 jobs Insurance | 2887 jobs Team events | 2553 jobs Medical leave | 2499 jobs Parental leave | 2461 jobs Flex vacation | 2379 jobs Wellness | 1569 jobs 401(k) matching | 1459 jobs Conferences | 756 jobs Flexible spending account | 563 jobs Fitness / gym | 560 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 554 jobs Relocation support | 499 jobs Home office stipend | 487 jobs

Salary Composition for Data Scientists

In the United States, the salary composition for a Data Scientist 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. For instance, tech companies and financial institutions often offer substantial bonuses compared to other sectors. Additional remuneration, like stock options, is more common in larger tech firms or startups, where equity can be a significant part of the compensation package. Regional differences also play a role; for example, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 160,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand and can command higher salaries.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a managerial or lead data scientist role can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in data science. Advanced skills in cloud computing, big data technologies, or AI ethics can make you more valuable.
• Networking and Professional Visibility: Attend industry conferences, contribute to open-source projects, or publish research to increase your visibility and attract higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most data scientist positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, or engineering. However, a master’s degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex data analysis or research. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical methods, and data modeling, which are crucial for high-level data science roles.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate expertise in specific areas. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

These certifications can validate your skills in data analysis, machine learning, and cloud-based data solutions, making you a more competitive candidate.

Experience Requirements

Typically, data scientist roles require at least 2-5 years of experience in data analysis, machine learning, or a related field. Experience with programming languages like Python or R, data visualization tools, and machine learning frameworks is essential. For senior roles, more extensive experience, including project management and team leadership, is often required.

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