Head of Data Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Head of Data salary lies between USD 200,000 and USD 269,000 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. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Head of Data roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Head of Data job listings are Engineering, Data management and Machine Learning. 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:

Engineering | 238 jobs Data management | 168 jobs Machine Learning | 167 jobs Data governance | 159 jobs Architecture | 157 jobs Data strategy | 153 jobs SQL | 146 jobs Security | 138 jobs Python | 137 jobs Computer Science | 125 jobs Data quality | 123 jobs Statistics | 118 jobs Data Analytics | 111 jobs Research | 101 jobs Privacy | 101 jobs Agile | 89 jobs AWS | 88 jobs R | 87 jobs Finance | 81 jobs Pipelines | 76 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Head of Data roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Head of Data 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 | 328 jobs Health care | 170 jobs Flex hours | 151 jobs Startup environment | 144 jobs Competitive pay | 103 jobs Team events | 94 jobs Equity / stock options | 91 jobs Insurance | 70 jobs Parental leave | 63 jobs Salary bonus | 61 jobs Flex vacation | 51 jobs Medical leave | 42 jobs Wellness | 40 jobs 401(k) matching | 32 jobs Transparency | 27 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 23 jobs Travel | 22 jobs Conferences | 19 jobs Home office stipend | 19 jobs Fitness / gym | 15 jobs

Salary Composition for a Head of Data Role

The salary for a Head of Data role in the United States typically comprises a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the package, particularly in startups or large tech firms, and may range from 10% to 30% of the total compensation. The composition can vary based on the region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher equity components, while traditional industries might focus more on base salary and bonuses. Company size also plays a role, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits and equity options.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Head of Data Position

To increase your salary further from a Head of Data position, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Role: Take on additional responsibilities or oversee larger teams to demonstrate your capability to handle more complex challenges.
• Industry Transition: Moving to a higher-paying industry, such as finance or tech, can lead to significant salary increases.
• Geographic Relocation: Consider relocating to regions with higher salary benchmarks for data roles, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City.
• Negotiation Skills: Enhance your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when considering new job offers.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in AI/ML and data science to maintain your competitive edge and justify salary increments.

Educational Requirements for a Head of Data Role

Most Head of Data positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, statistics, or engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially in larger organizations or more technical industries. Advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex data systems and analytical techniques, which are crucial for strategic decision-making in this role. Additionally, business administration or management degrees can be beneficial for those looking to transition into more strategic leadership positions.

Helpful Certifications for a Head of Data Role

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise in the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): Validates your ability to transform data into valuable insights.
• AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty: Demonstrates your skills in using AWS services for data analysis.
• Google Professional Data Engineer: Focuses on designing, building, and operationalizing data processing systems.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate: Validates your ability to apply data science techniques on Azure.

These certifications can help differentiate you from other candidates and showcase your commitment to professional development.

Experience Required for a Head of Data Role

Typically, a Head of Data role requires extensive experience in data science, analytics, or a related field. Candidates often have 10+ years of experience, with a significant portion spent in leadership or managerial roles. Experience in leading data teams, managing large-scale data projects, and developing data-driven strategies is crucial. Additionally, experience in specific industries can be beneficial, as it provides context and understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

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