Best Cities for Data Scientists

Whether you are researching reasons to become a Data Scientist or you are ready to start your job search, it helps to compare job opportunities, the cost of living, and other benefits different cities have to offer. Some of the best cities for Data Scientists include:

• Silicon Valley, CA
• Raleigh-Durham, NC
• Toronto, VA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, D.C.

The sections that follow detail considerations to keep in mind when researching different cities. These considerations include job opportunities and long-term career prospects, average salaries for the area, what kind of data science community is present, and opportunities to start your own business. Later sections will examine what each of the top cities for Data Scientists has to offer.

What is a Data Scientist?

Data Scientists extract meaning from raw data to detect patterns and propose solutions that meet an organization’s needs, especially the needs to compete and grow. A Data Scientist’s responsibilities include finding valuable data from data sources, developing machine learning algorithms, improving data collection procedures, cleansing and validating data integrity to ensure accuracy, and detecting patterns and solutions based on data. Data Scientists build models based on data, create data visualizations that communicate patterns and findings to stakeholders, and automate collection processes. Because data plays a critical role in the success of any organization, Data Scientists can build careers in business, technology, finance, nonprofits, and many other industries. 

Those who wish to become a Data Scientist should develop the analytical, statistical, and programming skills needed to manage and interpret raw data. These skills include understanding statistics, machine learning, and reporting tools. Aspiring Data Scientists also benefit from understanding the programming languages R, SQL, Python, Java, and C++. 

Read more about what a Data Scientist does.

What Makes a City Good for Data Scientists?

When researching what cities to consider for your data science career, factors to consider include average salaries, the presence of a Data Scientist community, what entry-level jobs are available, and what long-term career prospects the city offers, including the option to start your own business.

High Salaries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median salary of Data Scientists is around $130,000 per year. This actual amount you can earn as a Data Scientist depends on your experience, the industry you choose, and location. While metropolitan areas tend to pay higher salaries, they also have a higher cost of living than suburban or rural areas. It’s worth comparing salaries against the cost of living when considering the location you want to live and work in. You will also want to consider other costs associated with work, such as the cost of commuting to an office from where you live. 

Strong Data Scientist Community

When researching cities for Data Scientists, consider whether the area has a strong Data Scientist community. Networking isn’t just useful when you are actively searching for a job. A Data Scientist community can help you keep up with best practices and new developments in this ever-changing field. You can keep your skills sharp, gain new skills, and make connections that will prove valuable for your long-term career. 

Entry-level Job Opportunities

When you are considering cities in which to start your data science career, consider the types of entry-level positions available in the area. You will also want to consider what industries and fields interest you most. For example, is the city you are considering home to several large technology companies, or does it offer more positions among government agencies? Does the area offer healthcare-related data science positions? How about ecommerce? Data Scientists have the ability to find jobs almost anywhere they want due to the importance of data in any organization, but it is always worthwhile to consider the industry you see yourself working in long term.

Long-term Career Prospects and Industries of Interest

Finding a promising entry-level position is fantastic, but you may also wish to consider your long-term career prospects before calling the moving truck. For many people, moving isn’t as easy as packing a bag. You may have friends or relatives nearby, or a family and other loved ones that would be impacted by you taking a job in a new location. Even if you decide the job offer makes this move worthwhile, consider whether you see yourself building a career with this particular organization or, if not, what other opportunities this city will offer you down the road. Few people enjoy moving every few years, so if you want to put down roots in a city, it’s best to plan for the long term.

Opportunities to Start Your Own Business

Among long-term career considerations, you may wish to explore if a city offers you the opportunity to someday start your own business. Some Data Scientists choose to work freelance or as consultants. Does the city you’re considering provide opportunities to find new clients and create a successful data science business? What kind of industries is the city home to? Could you see yourself building a list of clients among businesses in the area? These are some things to keep in mind when considering the long-term potential of a location.

Top Cities for Data Scientists

Silicon Valley, CA

Silicon Valley is not a single city, but rather an area in Northern California which includes San Francisco, Fresno, San Jose, and surrounding areas. This area is home to some of the most famous technology companies in the world, including Meta (home of Facebook and Instagram), Apple, and Google. There are also research-focused data science jobs in the area through Stanford University and NASA’s Ames Research Center. According to Indeed, the base salary for Data Scientists in Silicon Valley is over $100,000 annually, though top companies may pay even more. Silicon Valley cities are among some of the highest paying in the United States for Data Scientists. Cupertino’s Data Scientists make nearly $200,000 annually while Palo Alto and Santa Clara average upwards of $150,000. Data Scientists in San Francisco and Mountain View have an annual salary of around $130,000.

Raleigh-Durham, NC

The Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina boasts several opportunities for Data Scientists with a much lower cost of living compared to other data science hubs. The average base pay for Data Scientists in Raleigh Durham, according to Indeed, is around $170,000 annually. The cost of living in Raleigh-Durham is 7% lower than the national average and much less expensive than data science hubs in Southern California. For example, the cost of living in San Jose, CA is 53% higher than the national average. 

Toronto, ON

This Canadian city offers several Data Scientist jobs in the financial sector. As the capital of Ontario, it is also home to many government agencies and related organizations. The average Data Scientist in Toronto makes around $70,000 (USD) per year.

Seattle, WA

Top data science employers in Seattle include Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Boeing. The base salary for Data Scientists in Seattle is around $130,000 per year. While this salary is much higher than the median income of most Americans, the cost of living in Seattle is more than 50% above the national average, so that money doesn’t go as far as it might elsewhere.

Washington, D.C. 

The average base salary for Data Scientists in Washington D.C. is around $150,000 annually, which is well above the average cost of living in the area, which totals around $65,000 per year. As the capital of the United States, this area offers opportunities to work for government agencies, nonprofits, NGOs, universities, and more. 

Why Become a Data Scientist?

Data science can provide a challenging, in-demand, and rewarding career that is relevant now and will remain so well into the future. Data Scientists: 

• Earn high salaries
• Work with the latest technology
• Use problem-solving skills and innovate solutions
• Work independently and collaboratively
• Long-term stability

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median annual salary for Data Scientists is around $100,000. Entry-level Data Scientists make between $75,000 and $95,000 on average with more experienced Data Scientists earning well over $100,000. 

Data Scientists work with some of the latest technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. They also use Python programming and other programming languages. Because data science tools and programming languages constantly evolve, Data Scientists are constantly learning and sharpening their skills, which keeps the profession interesting and relevant. Demand for Data Scientists is expected to increase by 36% between 2021 and 2031, showing that this career makes for a rewarding option now and in the future. 

Data Scientists work both independently and collaboratively, so the job is neither too isolating nor overly draining due to constant meetings or team activities. They solve problems, think of ways to improve processes based on patterns in data, and make recommendations to stakeholders, all of which makes this a mentally stimulating career to pursue.

Read more about whether Data Scientist is a good career.

How to Find a Data Scientist Job

Data Scientists can find work in corporations, medicine, academia, government organizations, nonprofits, startups, and more. Most Data Scientists work full-time for an organization, either remotely or in a traditional office. However, some Data Scientists find freelance or part-time work. The development of a professional portfolio highlights your abilities no matter which career path you choose.

Data plays a critical role in understanding the current state of an organization and in identifying opportunities for growth. Data Scientists can therefore find careers in many fields and have many options when it comes to the type of organization they wish to work for. But you may wonder how to find these Data Scientist jobs. Data Scientist jobs are posted on popular sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Google Jobs, Glassdoor, Stack Overflow, Startupers, Amazon Jobs, and more. You can search these sites for new postings or set up email alerts for keywords and job titles related to data science.

Most of these job postings pertain to full-time roles, so how might you go about establishing a freelance or part-time career as a Data Scientist? You can start your journey as a Data Scientist freelancer by posting your portfolio to the following sites: 

• Upwork.com
• Fiverr.com
• Toptotal.com

Learn the Skills to Become a Data Scientist at Noble Desktop

If you are looking to start a new career in data science, you might think the only way for you to become a Data Scientist is by enrolling in a four-year university or pursuing other costly and lengthy educational options. However, there are many alternative methods available to help you transition into a data science career, including data science bootcamps and certificate courses designed to help working professionals gain the skills needed to obtain an entry-level job as a Data Scientist. Exploring in-person and live online data science bootcamps and certificate programs can help you find the class that meets your career goals, budget, and schedule. The first step to finding the class that fits your needs is to understand the differences between in-person classes and live online classes. 

In-person data science classes meet in a traditional classroom setting at a physical location. In-person classes have the advantage of providing all necessary equipment, such as computers and software, and allowing students to network with local professionals such as your classmates and instructor. You also have the advantage of learning from an expert instructor face-to-face. The primary drawback to in-person courses is the extra time and money required to commute to the physical learning location. Live online data science classes offer many of the same benefits as in-person classes, including the ability to learn in real-time from an expert instructor. You can also collaborate with classmates, and you have the advantage of learning remotely. 

Noble Desktop offers several different in-person and live online data science classes that can help you start a career as a Data Scientist. The Python for Data Science Bootcamp teaches students foundational programming concepts and how to handle different data types, use conditional statements to control the flow of a program, use Scikit-Learn, Matplotlib, Numpy, Pandas, and other Python libraries and tools. Noble’s Data Science Certificate program and Data Analytics Certificate program provide a deep dive into the topics and skills essential to launching a career in data science or data analytics and offer one-on-one mentorship and job search assistance. All Noble Desktop classes provide students with hands-on experience, flexible financing options, setup assistance, a free retake, small class sizes, and real-time guidance from an expert instructor.

Learn more about Noble Desktop’s in-person and live online data science classes.

You can also learn more about data science careers and data science learning options with Noble’s free Data Science Learning Hub.