Is Data Science a Good Career?

Data science can make for a rewarding career in multiple ways. If you enjoy the challenge of problem-solving, want a career that includes variety in your day-to-day responsibilities, and you gravitate towards science and mathematics, a career as a Data Scientist might be right for you. The average annual salary for a Data Scientist in the United States is around $100,000 and up, which makes it a highly lucrative career, as well. 

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.

Data Scientist Salary and Job Outlook

Have you ever wanted to start a career in data science but wondered if the job prospects will make the career change worthwhile? Both the average salary and projected job growth of Data Scientists make this a promising career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the median pay for Data Scientists, as of 2021, amounts to over $131,000 per year. The job outlook for Data Scientist is far higher than the national average with a projected job growth of 36% in the coming decade. 

To become a Data Scientist, you will need a solid foundation in math and science, especially computer science. You will also need to understand data visualization tools, machine learning, certain programming languages, and other skills needed to gather, manage, and interpret data sets for organizations. At first, learning such skills might feel overwhelming, but the potential for a lucrative and rewarding long-term career make the investment of time and effort well worth it.

Read more about Data Scientist salaries and the job outlook for a Data Scientist.

What Makes Data Scientist a Good Career?

Data science can make for a challenging, relevant, and rewarding career now and long into the future. The sections below detail some of the top reasons to become a Data Scientist.

High Salaries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the median annual salary for a Data Scientist to be $100,000. While Data Scientists with more experience tend to earn more than entry-level and mid-level data science positions, Data Scientists can expect to make a competitive salary right off the bat. The average annual salary for entry-level Data Scientists ranges from $75,000 to $95,000. As you advance in your data science career, you can expect salary increases, particularly when moving from an entry-level or level 1 Data Scientist position to a mid-level or senior position. Data Scientists can also advance to become managers and directors within organizations. Leadership positions often pay the highest of any data science salary.

At the Forefront of Technological Innovation

Data Scientists work with some of the latest technology. This means there is always something new to learn and that the job remains highly relevant in the short and long term. Data Scientists work with artificial intelligence, especially machine learning, to gather and process data, automate tasks, and predict future outcomes based on statistics. They create predictive data models, test simulated scenarios, conduct important research, and help organizations plan for the future and reach their goals. The technological nature of a Data Scientist role means you will need to stay up-to-date on the latest innovations and improvements to the Python programming language, other coding languages, machine learning technologies and tools, and data science software such as Tableau.

Mentally Stimulating

Data Scientists have a mentally stimulating job that involves mathematics and science. They gather, process, manage, and evaluate data to identify and extract valuable information. A Data Scientist can spend a good portion of the workday identifying patterns and trends, problem-solving to help organizations overcome challenges, and brainstorming improvements and solutions based on this information. Successful Data Scientists have a natural curiosity, a knack for solving problems, use critical thinking in all situations, and enjoy the challenge of helping organizations constantly improve.

A Mix of Independent and Collaborative Work

Although some tasks performed by Data Scientists will be done in relative isolation, Data Scientists work closely with other members of the data science team and with internal stakeholders. A Data Scientist may consult with team leaders regarding the scientist’s findings or recommendations. Data Scientists regularly report on and present their findings and suggestions. Those who enjoy a mix of independent and collaborative work will find an appealing blend of both in data science.

Long-Term Stability

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for Data Scientists will increase by 36% between 2021 and 2031. Since data science works with some of the latest technology and is increasingly important to virtually any organization, this career is sure to remain relevant in both the short and long term. 

Career Paths Related to Data Scientist

When learning about a career in data science, you may come across similar or related jobs including jobs with similar titles. For example, the job titles of “Data Scientist” and “Data Analyst” sound very similar. That is because both jobs work with and interpret data, but in different ways. A Data Analyst typically identifies patterns and trends in data, then creates visualizations of those patterns. A Data Scientist may also do this but typically work on predictive models, algorithms, and data processes, as well.

Other careers related to that of a Data Scientist include job titles such as: 

• Business Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Journalist
• Financial Analyst
• Product Analyst
• Database Administrator

Most of the above careers have similar pay and some overlap in responsibilities with that of Data Scientists. A Data Scientist might upskill into one of these positions by learning a specialization, learning about web development, or taking financial courses. 

Read more about other career paths related to Data Scientist careers.

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.

Key Takeaways

• Data science makes for a lucrative and rewarding career.
• Average salaries and even entry-level salaries equal around $100,000 a year.
• Demand for Data Scientists is projected to increase by 36% from 2021 through 2031.
• Data Scientists work with some of the latest technology, keeping their minds sharp and their skills relevant.
• The work of a Data Scientist can be mentally stimulating with an appealing mix of independent and collaborative tasks. 
• You can receive comprehensive training to become a Data Scientist through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.