Salary for Executive-level / Director Data Scientist during 2022

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Data Scientist salary lies between USD 159,000 and USD 222,640 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Data Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Data Scientist job listings are Python, SQL and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 20 jobs SQL | 19 jobs Machine Learning | 17 jobs Engineering | 15 jobs R | 13 jobs Statistics | 13 jobs Mathematics | 13 jobs Finance | 11 jobs Research | 9 jobs Economics | 9 jobs Data Analytics | 9 jobs Consulting | 9 jobs Data management | 9 jobs Statistical modeling | 8 jobs Causal inference | 8 jobs Tableau | 7 jobs AWS | 7 jobs Spark | 5 jobs Testing | 5 jobs Data analysis | 5 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Data Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Data Scientist job listings are Career development, Flex vacation and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 15 jobs Flex vacation | 12 jobs Health care | 12 jobs Startup environment | 12 jobs Competitive pay | 11 jobs Insurance | 11 jobs Parental leave | 10 jobs Flex hours | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Wellness | 9 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 8 jobs Team events | 4 jobs Salary bonus | 4 jobs Equity / stock options | 2 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Conferences | 1 jobs Medical leave | 1 jobs Fertility benefits | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is often the largest component, accounting for 60-80% of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can range from 10-20%, depending on the company's profitability and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can vary significantly based on the company's size and industry. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer substantial equity packages, while companies in other regions or industries might focus more on cash bonuses. Larger companies often have more structured bonus and equity programs, while smaller startups might offer more equity to compensate for lower base salaries.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist position, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Skill Set: Acquire new skills in emerging areas like AI ethics, advanced machine learning techniques, or data privacy, which can make you more valuable to your organization.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles with greater responsibility, such as Chief Data Officer or VP of Data Science, which typically come with higher compensation.
• Negotiate Equity: If you're in a startup or tech company, negotiate for more equity, which can significantly increase your total compensation if the company performs well.
• Industry Shift: Consider moving to industries with higher pay scales for data science roles, such as finance or healthcare.
• Consulting or Advisory Roles: Take on consulting or advisory roles in addition to your full-time job, which can provide additional income and broaden your professional network.

Educational Requirements

Most Executive-level or Director Data Scientist positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, or data science. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially in research-intensive roles or companies that prioritize advanced analytical capabilities. Additionally, an MBA can be beneficial for those looking to move into more strategic or business-oriented roles, as it provides a strong foundation in management and business operations.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): Validates your ability to transform data into valuable insights.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates expertise in building, training, and deploying machine learning models on the AWS platform.
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer: Shows proficiency in designing, building, and productionizing machine learning models.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: Highlights skills in using Azure AI services to build and integrate AI solutions.

Required Experience

Typically, candidates for an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist role have at least 8-10 years of experience in data science or related fields. This experience should include a mix of technical expertise, project management, and leadership roles. Experience in managing teams, developing data strategies, and implementing large-scale data projects is crucial. Additionally, experience in a specific industry can be advantageous, as it provides domain knowledge that can be critical for strategic decision-making.

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