Data Scientist Job Outlook

You may be interested in starting a new career in data science, but want to know if this career will serve you long-term. Data science works with some of the latest technologies and tools and is constantly evolving, making it highly relevant now and in the future. Data Scientists work with artificial intelligence including machine learning and programming languages like Python. Artificial intelligence advances continue and will continue for many years to come. Python programming remains a relevant programming language that developers contribute to and improve. 

While the nature of a Data Scientist’s work pretty much guarantees continued relevance, you may wonder how many data science jobs are available now and will be needed in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for Data Scientists will increase by 36% from 2021 to 2031. This job growth far exceeds projected growth in other fields. This means that now is a fantastic time to start a career in data science.

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 is the Job Outlook for Data Science?

The job outlook for Data Scientists is very promising with a projected job growth of 36% between 2021 and 2031. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also expects approximately 13,500 job openings for Data Scientists each year now through 2031. To become one of those Data Scientists, you will need to build a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science, understand data visualization tools, know how to use machine learning to gather data, automate tasks, and project future outcomes, and know how to sort, manage, and interpret data. You will also need to know how to present your findings and recommendations to stakeholders within the organization.

Data Scientists have the flexibility to find work in almost any field. They work for corporations, small businesses, startups, government agencies, nonprofits, research institutions, and more. This flexibility also allows you many options when starting or advancing your career in data science, helping to ensure a data science career remains relevant well into the future.

Current Job Outlook

The job outlook for Data Scientists is very promising. With a projected job growth of 36% in the decade between 2021 and 2031, demand for Data Scientists is anticipated to surpass many other fields. The projected job growth of 36% is more than four times higher than the national average job growth rate, which ranges from 5 to 8%. Experts expect an estimated 13,500 job openings for Data Scientists each year from now through 2031, so now is a great time to start a career in this exciting field. 

Future Growth

Because Data Scientists work with programming languages that continually evolve and stay on top of the latest developments in data management, including artificial intelligence, Data Scientists keep their skills sharp just by the nature of the job. Data also plays a crucial role in the success of any organization, whether a multinational corporation or a local startup, so the need for Data Scientists will continue long into the future.

Industries

Data is such a crucial part of an organization’s success that Data Scientists can find work in almost any field they want. Data Scientists can work for multinational corporations, small businesses, startups, government agencies, universities, healthcare, technology, cybersecurity, agriculture, retail, research facilities, nonprofits, and even freelance if they wish. 

Healthcare accounts for nearly one-third of global data volume. Clinical trials, patient records, claims, and health surveys must be managed and maintained. Insights from data can help hospitals and medical centers improve their quality of care. The implications of data science in healthcare go well beyond simply managing patient data, as well. Predictive analytics can map the likely progression of certain diseases to help plan for patient care. Wearable devices help monitor health in real-time. Machine learning algorithms can predict how people may react to certain drugs. Artificial intelligence and deep learning improve the accuracy of medical imaging techniques in which advanced algorithms identify anomalies and detect diseases.

Big Tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple rely on data science to improve customer experiences, recommend products, and more. Landing a job at a Big Tech company is challenging, but as they are some of the highest-paying companies in data science, it can be well worth the effort. 

Data science even impacts agriculture. While most of us don’t think about agriculture daily, this industry is vital to the well-being of any society. Data Scientists in agriculture may analyze weather data and climate patterns. They may also contribute to the automation and scalability of agricultural tasks. Machine learning models can predict threats to plants and prompt possible solutions. 

Data Scientists can pursue a career in almost any industry that captures their interests.

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Data Scientists is around $130,000 annually as of 2021. The main factors that impact salary are education, experience, industry, specialization, and location.

How Do I 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.