Salary for Executive-level / Director Data Scientist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Data Scientist salary lies between USD 160,000 and USD 246,100 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: Nov. 10, 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 | 88 jobs Machine Learning | 77 jobs Statistics | 67 jobs SQL | 66 jobs Engineering | 59 jobs Computer Science | 50 jobs Mathematics | 43 jobs R | 40 jobs ML models | 38 jobs Research | 34 jobs Data Analytics | 32 jobs Data analysis | 31 jobs Deep Learning | 29 jobs Big Data | 29 jobs Testing | 29 jobs Data visualization | 27 jobs AWS | 26 jobs NLP | 25 jobs Tableau | 23 jobs Spark | 21 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 | 82 jobs Health care | 33 jobs Team events | 27 jobs Flex hours | 26 jobs Competitive pay | 22 jobs Startup environment | 20 jobs Equity / stock options | 19 jobs Insurance | 19 jobs Salary bonus | 17 jobs Parental leave | 13 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs Flex vacation | 8 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Transparency | 7 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for Executive-Level Data Scientist Roles

In the United States, the salary composition for an Executive-level or Director Data Scientist role typically includes a mix of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually account for 10% to 20%. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, equity, or other long-term incentives, can make up the remaining 10% to 20%.

The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer higher equity components, while financial firms in New York might provide more substantial cash bonuses. Smaller companies or startups might offer lower base salaries but compensate with higher equity stakes.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

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

• Expand Your Role: Take on additional responsibilities or lead larger teams to demonstrate your capability to handle more complex challenges.
• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on emerging fields within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics, which can command higher salaries.
• Pursue Further Education: An advanced degree or executive education in business administration or a related field can enhance your leadership skills and marketability.
• Network and Build Industry Connections: Engage with industry leaders and participate in conferences to increase your visibility and open up new opportunities.
• Negotiate Effectively: When discussing compensation, highlight your achievements and the value you bring to the organization to justify a higher salary.

Educational Requirements

Most Executive-level Data Scientist roles require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, statistics, or mathematics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve leading research teams or developing cutting-edge technologies. Additionally, a strong foundation in business or management can be beneficial, as these roles often require strategic decision-making and leadership skills.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS): Offered by various organizations, this certification validates your skills in data analysis and machine learning.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and maintain machine learning solutions on the AWS platform.
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate: Validates your proficiency in using TensorFlow for machine learning and deep learning projects.

Experience Requirements

Typically, candidates for Executive-level Data Scientist roles are expected to have at least 10 to 15 years of experience in data science or related fields. This experience should include a proven track record of leading data science teams, managing large-scale projects, and delivering impactful results. Experience in a specific industry, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can also be advantageous.

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