Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Specialist in United States during 2023

💰 The median Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Specialist in United States during 2023 is USD 85,950

✏️ This salary info is based on 10 individual salaries reported during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Specialist salary lies between USD 71,500 and USD 111,600 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.

Job title: Data Specialist

Experience: Senior-level / Expert

Region: United States

Salary year: 2023

Sample size: 10

Top 10%: $ 132,000

Top 25%: $ 111,600

Median: $ 85,950

Bottom 25%: $ 71,500

Bottom 10%: $ 60,000

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: Dec. 15, 2024

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, Python and Engineering. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

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, Flex hours and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Data Specialist in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary is often the largest component, providing a stable income. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance, individual achievements, and industry standards. For instance, tech companies in Silicon Valley might offer substantial bonuses and stock options, while smaller firms or those in different regions might provide more modest additional compensation. Company size also plays a role; larger companies often have more structured bonus programs and additional benefits compared to startups.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider the following strategies:

Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies and tools in AI/ML. Specializing in niche areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.
Advanced Education: Pursuing further education, such as a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field, can open doors to higher-paying roles.
Networking: Engage with professional networks and attend industry conferences to increase your visibility and learn about new opportunities.
Leadership Roles: Aim for leadership or managerial positions, which typically offer higher salaries.
Industry Shift: Consider moving to industries that pay more for data expertise, such as finance or healthcare.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Data Specialist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for expert-level positions. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and data analysis techniques, which are crucial for high-level roles.

Helpful Certifications

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

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

These certifications can validate your skills and make you stand out in a competitive job market.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Data Specialist is expected to have at least 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 or teams is also highly valued, as it demonstrates your ability to manage complex tasks and collaborate effectively.

Related salaries

Data Specialist @ $ 80,900 (global) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

Data Specialist @ $ 85,950 (global) - Senior-level / Expert Details

Data Specialist @ $ 83,400 (global) Details

Data Specialist @ $ 83,400 (United States) Details

Data Specialist @ $ 80,900 (United States) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

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