Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Data Scientist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Data Scientist salary lies between USD 104,000 and USD 179,000 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: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Mid-level / Intermediate Data Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Data Scientist job listings are Python, Statistics 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:

Python | 2891 jobs Statistics | 2538 jobs Machine Learning | 2502 jobs SQL | 2223 jobs Engineering | 1987 jobs Computer Science | 1705 jobs R | 1694 jobs Mathematics | 1522 jobs Research | 1392 jobs Data analysis | 1155 jobs ML models | 990 jobs AWS | 843 jobs Testing | 838 jobs Data visualization | 778 jobs Tableau | 725 jobs Pipelines | 707 jobs NLP | 663 jobs Spark | 662 jobs Big Data | 625 jobs Security | 613 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate Data Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Data Scientist 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 | 2351 jobs Health care | 1241 jobs Flex hours | 819 jobs Equity / stock options | 811 jobs Competitive pay | 629 jobs Insurance | 577 jobs Startup environment | 573 jobs Medical leave | 567 jobs Parental leave | 525 jobs Team events | 494 jobs Salary bonus | 479 jobs Flex vacation | 474 jobs 401(k) matching | 365 jobs Wellness | 332 jobs Conferences | 150 jobs Flexible spending account | 130 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 125 jobs Transparency | 106 jobs Relocation support | 106 jobs Fitness / gym | 101 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a mid-level or intermediate data scientist in the United States typically comprises a base salary, performance 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. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's profitability and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially in high-growth industries. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, 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.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a mid-level data scientist position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies and tools in AI/ML, such as deep learning frameworks, cloud computing, and big data technologies.
• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area within data science, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can make you more valuable to employers.
• Leadership Roles: Aim for roles that involve leading projects or teams, as managerial responsibilities often come with higher pay.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network through industry conferences, meetups, and online platforms like LinkedIn to learn about higher-paying opportunities.
• Advanced Education: Consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications that can justify a higher salary.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level data scientist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, or engineering. However, a master's degree is often preferred and can be a significant advantage. Degrees in data science or analytics are becoming increasingly common and are highly regarded. Some roles may also value interdisciplinary studies that combine technical skills with business acumen.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level data scientist is expected to have 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. This experience should include hands-on work with data analysis, machine learning model development, and deployment. Experience in handling real-world data problems, working with cross-functional teams, and delivering actionable insights is crucial. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or R, and tools like SQL, TensorFlow, or PyTorch, is often required.

Related salaries

Want to contribute?