Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Specialist during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Specialist salary lies between USD 72,000 and USD 139,200 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: Jan. 19, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Data Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Specialist job listings are SQL, Data management and Excel. 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:

SQL | 95 jobs Data management | 86 jobs Excel | 78 jobs Data quality | 78 jobs Data analysis | 77 jobs Research | 71 jobs Engineering | 67 jobs Python | 66 jobs Computer Science | 62 jobs Power BI | 61 jobs Testing | 54 jobs Security | 50 jobs Statistics | 47 jobs Privacy | 47 jobs R | 46 jobs Finance | 46 jobs Tableau | 44 jobs Agile | 36 jobs Data governance | 35 jobs KPIs | 33 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Data Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Specialist 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 | 134 jobs Health care | 98 jobs Flex hours | 82 jobs Competitive pay | 56 jobs Equity / stock options | 42 jobs Flex vacation | 39 jobs Startup environment | 39 jobs Insurance | 38 jobs Team events | 30 jobs Medical leave | 24 jobs Salary bonus | 24 jobs Parental leave | 20 jobs Wellness | 19 jobs Relocation support | 15 jobs 401(k) matching | 10 jobs Transparency | 9 jobs Home office stipend | 7 jobs Flexible spending account | 7 jobs Gear | 6 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Data Specialist in AI/ML/Data Science typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The composition can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but bonuses and stock options can also form a substantial part of the total compensation package. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but compensate with other benefits. Industries such as finance or healthcare may offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of data-driven insights in these fields. Larger companies often provide more comprehensive benefits and stock options, while startups might offer equity as a significant part of the package to attract talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Senior-level position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Data Science Manager or Director of Data Science. These roles not only come with higher pay but also offer greater influence over strategic decisions. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics can also make you more valuable. Additionally, contributing to open-source projects, publishing research, or speaking at industry conferences can enhance your reputation and open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Networking with industry leaders and joining professional organizations can also provide insights into lucrative job openings.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Data Science. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve research or developing new algorithms. Employers look for candidates with a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or R. A solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles is also essential.

Helpful Certifications

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

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

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

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Data Specialist role requires 5-10 years of experience in data science or a related field. This experience should include hands-on work with data analysis, machine learning model development, and deployment. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior team members, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. Demonstrated success in solving complex business problems using data-driven approaches is crucial.

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