Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Most important skills

Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Programming
Speaking
Active Learning
Active Listening

Key knowledge

Mathematics
Computers and Electronics
English Language
Engineering and Technology
Education and Training
Communications and Media
Administration and Management
Design

What the work involves

Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Conventional, Artistic.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (48% of expert ratings)
Related experience: None (28%)
On-the-job training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (29.2%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Data Scientists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 99% of occupations compared	56% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others about half the time”
Dealing with the public	Very low	Lower on dealing with the public than 92% of occupations compared	36% of surveyed respondents chose “Not important at all”
Teamwork	Very low	Lower on teamwork than 82% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Moderate	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 59% of occupations compared	56% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Low	Lower on time pressure than 74% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a week or more but not every day”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 92% of occupations compared	60% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 97% of occupations compared	41% of surveyed respondents chose “Never”
Consequence of error	Low	Lower on consequence of error than 72% of occupations compared	39% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions