What can you do with a masters in data science?

Written by: Amanda Phagan, Edited by: Rebecca Munday

Published: January 13, 2025

It's no secret that our world is increasingly digital — and therefore data-driven. If you have a bachelor's degree and an interest in making sense of data, earning your master's in data science may be a fulfilling next step in your career.

Data science master's programs can open doors to various career opportunities, increase your earning potential, and prepare you for a data science doctoral program. Learn about what you can do with a master's in data science.

What jobs can you get with an online master's in data science?

Advancing your data science education can help you stand out in a competitive field. Explore a few jobs you can pursue as an online master's in data science graduate.

Data scientist

Data scientists collect data and develop tools to ensure data accuracy and organization. They employ artificial intelligence algorithms and predictive modeling to interpret large data sets. Data scientists also communicate their findings to stakeholders using data visualization techniques. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), data scientists had the following salary expectations and job outlook in 2023:

Median annual salary: $108,020
Projected annual job openings from 2022–32: 59,400

Database administrators

Database administrators (DBAs) manage systems that store large amounts of data. Since this job often involves sensitive information like customer records and financial information, DBAs must ensure that data is accurate, secure, and backed up. These professionals keep databases updated and manage permissions. The BLS reported the following about DBAs in 2023:

Median annual salary: $101,510
Projected annual job openings from 2022–32: 6,000

Database architects

Database architects design and construct the systems that DBAs manage. They assess an organization's needs and create models that address them. This often involves coding new data architecture, synthesizing new and existing data, and checking for inefficiencies and errors. Some DBA and database architect duties may overlap. See below for salary and job outlook statistics from the BLS in 2023:

Median annual salary: $134,700
Projected annual job openings from 2022–32: 6,400

Operations research analysts

Operations research analysts use mathematical and logical concepts to help organizations make data-driven decisions. They collect and organize data — like customer information — from various sources to improve organizational efficiency. In this role, you may gather information from subject matter experts, develop and test models, and create reports that share insights with stakeholders. The BLS reported the following job data for operations research analysts in 2023:

Median annual salary: $83,640
Projected annual job openings from 2022–32: 24,700

Increase your earning potential

No matter which career path you pursue after completing your master's in data science, your earning potential will likely increase. According to the BLS, in 2023, full-time employees with a master's degree made $244 more in median weekly earnings and experienced lower unemployment rates than those with just a bachelor's degree.

In the same year, the lowest 10% of data scientists earned less than $61,070, and the highest 10% earned more than $184,090 per the BLS. Your earnings depend on several factors, including your exact role, employer, previous work experience, and location.

Qualify for doctoral programs in data science and related fields

Do you want to reach the highest level of expertise in the data science field? You may want to earn a PhD in data science or a related field. This research-heavy degree can:

Open doors to senior-level career opportunities.
Demonstrate your leadership in the field.
Further increase your earning potential.

According to the BLS, in 2023, full-time employees with a doctoral degree earned $372 more in median weekly earnings than those with a master's degree and $616 more than those with just a bachelor's.

Frequently asked questions about what you can do with a master's in data science

How much can I make with a master's in data science?

How much you make after earning your master's in data science depends on your chosen role, previous work experience, and several other factors. If you are a data scientist, for example, the median annual salary from the BLS ($74,680) is a helpful estimate — but it doesn't clarify how advanced education, seniority, or years of experience impact this value

What jobs can you do with a data science master's?

Any job that requires you to have advanced skills in collecting and categorizing data and using algorithms to make projections would be suitable for data science master's graduates. The roles listed above are just a few of the career options available.

Is a data science job hard to get?

The difficulty of landing a data science role is subjective. Earning an online master's in data science can help job seekers stand out from the crowd in an increasingly competitive field.

What is a data science job like?

Data science roles can vary in scope, but most involve collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. Some data scientists also create reports and presentations to communicate their findings to stakeholders. Data scientists are often interested in numbers, machine learning, and computer programming.

Data Science

Data Analysis