Data scientists
SOC Code: 15-2051
Data scientists carries a 61% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $112,590 and +33.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 245,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Data scientists (SOC 15-2051) carries an AI exposure score of 61%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 245,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +33.5% change through 2034 — a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $112,590, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Data scientists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
- 2. Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
- 3. Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
- 4. Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
- 5. Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
- 6. Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
- 7. Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
- 8. Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
- 9. Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.
- 10. Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Biology
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Data scientists?
Data scientists has an AI exposure score of 61%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Data scientists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Data scientists is projected to grow by 33.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 245,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Data scientists?
Key skills for Data scientists include Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Data scientists earn?
The median annual wage for Data scientists is $112,590, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Data scientists?
The typical entry-level education for Data scientists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Data scientists?
Data scientists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).