# Data Scientists

> Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists
- SOC code: 15-2051.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $120,230 (10th percentile $67,240, 90th percentile $199,130)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +34.6%
- Openings a year: 24,800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code ICA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 19 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 27 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 12 |
| Conventional (C) | 73 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 96/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Processing Information (importance 93/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 87/100)
- Getting Information (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 83/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 72/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 71/100)

## Skills

Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Programming, Active Learning, Speaking, Active Listening, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Education and Training, Communications and Media, Administration and Management, Design, Administrative, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Analytics Consultant, Applied Scientist, Data Analyst, Data Analytic Scientist, Data Analytics Scientist, Data Analytics Specialist, Data Architect, Data Consultant, Data Economist, Data Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2701) (CIP 2701, 1,483 colleges)
- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1107) (CIP 1107, 1,070 colleges)
- [Economics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4506) (CIP 4506, 925 colleges)
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1108) (CIP 1108, 701 colleges)
- [Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5213) (CIP 5213, 631 colleges)
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2703) (CIP 2703, 426 colleges)
- [Data Analytics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3071) (CIP 3071, 366 colleges)
- [Data Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3070) (CIP 3070, 323 colleges)
- [Statistics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2705) (CIP 2705, 290 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Mathematics and Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3008) (CIP 3008, 113 colleges)
- [Computational Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3030) (CIP 3030, 109 colleges)
- [Mathematics and Statistics, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2799) (CIP 2799, 59 colleges)
- Applied Statistics (CIP 2706, 39 colleges)
- Economics and Computer Science (CIP 3039, 11 colleges)
- Linguistics and Computer Science (CIP 3048, 4 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Mathematics | $130,467 | $297,029 | $13,875 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer Science | $173,492 | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Statistics | not reported | $230,876 | not reported |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Computer Science | $171,815 | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Computer Science | $151,551 | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Computer Science | $155,162 | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Computer Science | $100,072 | $217,051 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Statisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Statistical Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statistical-assistants): $50,330 median pay
- [Financial Quantitative Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-quantitative-analysts): $81,100 median pay
- [Operations Research Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/operations-research-analysts): $88,940 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-technicians): $81,490 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.