Quick answer: Data science is one of the fastest-growing professions in the world. In the US, data scientists earned a median salary of $120,230 in May 2025, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment to grow 35% from 2025 to 2035, from 275,600 to 371,000 jobs, with about 24,800 openings a year. A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry requirement, although some employers prefer a master’s or doctorate. The highest-paying industries include publishing and content platforms, IT services and banking.
Data scientists turn raw data into decisions: which customers are likely to leave, how much stock to order, which transactions look fraudulent, and how a product feature affects revenue. The rise of machine learning and generative AI has expanded the field further, creating new roles that blend statistics, programming and business sense. Because the work is digital, many data science jobs are open to remote or international candidates.
Data Science Careers at a Glance (United States)
| Median pay (May 2025) | $120,230 per year / $57.80 per hour |
| Jobs (2025) | 275,600 |
| Projected jobs (2035) | 371,000 (+95,400) |
| Growth (2025–35) | 35%, much faster than average |
| Openings per year | About 24,800 |
| Entry education | Bachelor’s degree; some employers prefer a master’s or PhD |
Salary by Industry (US, May 2025)
| Industry | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Publishing, broadcasting and content providers | $142,240 |
| Computer systems design and related services | $132,380 |
| Credit intermediation (banking and lending) | $129,490 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $128,050 |
| Insurance carriers | $108,650 |
Roles Within Data Science
- Data analyst: reporting, dashboards and SQL. The most common entry point.
- Data scientist: statistical modelling, experiments and predictive models.
- Machine learning engineer: builds and deploys models into production systems. Usually among the best paid.
- Analytics engineer / data engineer: builds the data pipelines and warehouses everyone else relies on.
- Applied AI specialist: builds applications on top of large language models and other AI systems.
Skills Employers Pay For
- SQL: still the most requested skill in data job listings.
- Python or R for analysis and modelling, with libraries such as pandas and scikit-learn.
- Statistics: hypothesis testing, regression and experiment design (A/B testing).
- Machine learning: classification, forecasting, and evaluating models properly.
- Cloud data tools such as BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks or AWS services.
- Communication: explaining results clearly to non-technical decision-makers.
- Domain knowledge in finance, healthcare, retail or marketing, which raises your value considerably.
How to Break Into Data Science
- Learn SQL and Python first, then statistics.
- Build a portfolio of 3 to 5 real projects with public data, explained clearly on GitHub or a personal site.
- Start as a data analyst if needed. It is the most common stepping stone.
- Specialise in an industry or technique (for example fraud detection, forecasting or NLP).
- Consider a master’s degree if you are aiming for research-heavy or senior ML roles.
The Fine Print
- Entry-level competition is intense. A strong portfolio and domain knowledge set candidates apart.
- Job titles vary. “Data scientist” can mean anything from reporting to advanced ML. Read job descriptions carefully.
- AI is changing the work. Routine analysis is being automated, so higher-level skills such as experimentation, modelling and business judgement are increasingly important.
Is Data Science Worth It in 2026?
Yes. With 35% projected growth, data science is among the fastest-growing occupations tracked by the BLS, and pay is well above most professions. It is also unusually global: the same skills are hired in the US, UK, Europe, India, the Gulf and Southeast Asia, and remotely. The key is to go beyond tutorials. Employers hire people who can show they have solved real problems with data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a data scientist earn?
The US median was $120,230 in May 2025, with higher pay in content platforms, IT services and banking.
Is data science still growing?
Yes. The BLS projects 35% growth from 2025 to 2035.
Do I need a master’s degree?
Not always. A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry level, but some employers prefer a master’s or PhD for advanced roles.
What should I learn first?
SQL and Python, followed by statistics and machine learning basics.
Can I work remotely as a data scientist?
Many companies hire data professionals for remote or hybrid roles.
Official source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists, at bls.gov. This site is not affiliated with any employer and never charges any fee for job information.