Data science analytics career guide

Data scientists use algorithms and computational models to extract insights from big data. Data science analytics transforms historical data into insights that guide present-day decisions. And with the field of big data getting bigger by the day, so too grows the need for more data science analysts to help parse through all that data and extract meaning from it.

Discover what jobs in the field of data science analytics may be open to you and what skills and education you'll need to qualify for them.

What jobs can you get in data science analytics?

Data science offers diverse career paths in many different types of industries. If a company needs to analyze data, there's a good chance they'll have a data science position available. You'll likely look to the data to provide insight into the present and to predict future outcomes.

Here are some common jobs for professionals with skills in data science analytics, with each role's required skills and level of education, as well as salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Data scientist

Data scientists use a variety of tools, including models of their own design, to study data and predict complex outcomes. They might work on analyzing historical data, building artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, and maintaining existing models to make sense of massive datasets.

• Required level of education: A bachelor's degree or, in some cases, a master's degree
• Essential skills: Programming languages like Python or R, machine learning, data engineering
• Median annual salary (May 2023): $108,020
• Projected employment growth (2023–33): +36%

Market research analyst

Market research analysts study consumer behavior, competitors, market trends, and other data points to determine if products or services might succeed. They provide companies with the insights necessary to create or update products and services to serve customers.

• Required level of education: Typically a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer a master's degree
• Essential skills: Data analysis, statistical software (SPSS, SAS), strong communication, market trend identification
• Median annual salary (May 2023): $74,680
• Projected employment growth (2023–33): +8%

Operations research analyst

Operations research analysts apply mathematical modeling and algorithms to analyze trends within the organization. This application provides insights into workplace inefficiencies as well as uncovering solutions to building better workflows. BLS projects a 23% growth in the employment field from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average.

• Required level of education: Typically a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer a master's degree
• Essential skills: Data analysis, statistical software (SPSS, SAS), strong communication, market trend identification
• Median annual salary (May 2023): $83,640
• Projected employment growth (2023–33): +23%

Economist

Economists analyze economic trends and data to provide insight into business strategies, government policies, or financial planning for organizations. They're able to work for government agencies, research organizations, and consulting firms, among other institutions.

• Required level of education: Graduate degree such as a master's or doctor of philosophy (PhD)
• Essential skills: Economic modeling, statistical and data analysis using R, Python, or other common programming languages, critical thinking, strong communication
• Median annual salary (May 2023): $115,730
• Projected employment growth (2023–33): +5%

Learn more about data science analytics

Are you ready to take the next step toward a career in data science analytics? Then check out edX's data science analytics courses and programs and get started today.