Salary for Executive-level / Director Data Scientist during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Data Scientist salary lies between USD 150,000 and USD 234,700 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: Dec. 15, 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, 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 | 101 jobs Machine Learning | 89 jobs Statistics | 79 jobs SQL | 76 jobs Engineering | 69 jobs Computer Science | 58 jobs Mathematics | 49 jobs R | 46 jobs ML models | 46 jobs Data analysis | 40 jobs Research | 36 jobs Testing | 36 jobs Data Analytics | 34 jobs Deep Learning | 31 jobs Big Data | 30 jobs Data visualization | 30 jobs NLP | 29 jobs AWS | 29 jobs Tableau | 25 jobs Finance | 25 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, Health care and Team events. 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 | 95 jobs Health care | 40 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Flex hours | 27 jobs Competitive pay | 27 jobs Startup environment | 23 jobs Equity / stock options | 22 jobs Insurance | 22 jobs Salary bonus | 20 jobs Wellness | 19 jobs Parental leave | 14 jobs Medical leave | 12 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Transparency | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist role 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 composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. In the United States, for instance, the base salary might constitute 60-70% of the total compensation, with bonuses and equity making up the rest. In regions like Europe or Asia, the base salary might be a larger portion due to different compensation structures. In larger tech companies or startups, equity can be a significant part of the package, while in more traditional industries, bonuses might be more prevalent.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 204,000, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Skill Set: Stay updated with the latest AI/ML technologies and methodologies. Specializing in emerging areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics can make you more valuable.
• Leadership and Management Skills: Enhance your leadership capabilities. Taking on more strategic roles or leading larger teams can justify a higher salary.
• Networking and Industry Presence: Build a strong professional network and establish yourself as a thought leader in the field. Speaking at conferences or publishing papers can increase your visibility and value.
• Transition to High-Paying Industries: Consider moving to industries known for higher compensation, such as finance, healthcare, or tech giants.

Educational Requirements

For an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist position, a strong educational background is typically required. Most candidates hold at least a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Mathematics. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that require deep technical expertise or research capabilities. Additionally, an MBA or a similar degree can be beneficial for roles that require significant business acumen and strategic decision-making.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise:

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

These certifications can validate your skills in specific platforms or methodologies and can be particularly useful if you're transitioning from a different field or looking to specialize.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director Data Scientist role requires extensive experience, often 10+ years in data science or related fields. This experience should include:

• Technical Expertise: Proven track record in developing and deploying machine learning models.
• Leadership Experience: Experience in leading data science teams and managing projects.
• Strategic Insight: Ability to align data science initiatives with business goals and drive strategic decisions.

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