What Do Data Scientists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for data scientists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what data scientists do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Data Scientists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about data scientists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
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.
Popular Job Titles For Data Scientists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Data Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Machine Learning Engineers
- Business Data Analysts
- Data Science Managers
- Lead Data Scientists
- Reporting Analysts
- Principal Data Scientists
- Business Intelligence Managers
- Directors of Data Science
- Data Stewards
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for data scientists can be found.
Best Industries for Data Scientists
Data Scientists Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 13.4%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 9%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 7.5%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 5.3%
- Insurance Carriers: 5.1%
- Software Publishers: 4.3%
- Other: 55.4%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of data scientists can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2022, about 13.4% of all jobs for data scientists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (9%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (7.5%), Scientific Research and Development Services (5.3%), Insurance Carriers (5.1%) and Software Publishers (4.3%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Data Scientists
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 19
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Leverage technology to align with business goals with Franklin’s 100% online M.S. in Information Systems, which can be completed in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Blend business essentials with leading-edge analytics and become an innovative leader with Franklin’s 18-month online STEM MBA.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 18
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Data Scientists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what data scientists do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work data scientists do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that data scientists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for data scientists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Data Scientists
Based on 311,020 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Data Scientists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis | 157,262 | 51% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 135,565 | 44% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 109,483 | 35% |
| Data Science | 99,252 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 91,303 | 29% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Data Scientists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 136,395 | 44% |
| Management | 97,068 | 31% |
| Leadership | 73,780 | 24% |
| Problem Solving | 72,939 | 23% |
| Research | 71,539 | 23% |
Based on 311,020 job postings related to data scientists, data analysis was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 51% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for sql (programming language), python (programming language), data science, computer science and tableau (business intelligence software) were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for data scientists, followed by management, leadership, problem solving, research and mathematics.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis | 157,262 | 51% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 135,565 | 44% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 109,483 | 35% |
| Data Science | 99,252 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 91,303 | 29% |
| Tableau (Business Intelligence Software) | 73,604 | 24% |
| Machine Learning | 70,827 | 23% |
| R (Programming Language) | 69,632 | 22% |
| Statistics | 60,864 | 20% |
| Business Intelligence | 60,620 | 19% |
| Dashboard | 60,084 | 19% |
| Data Visualization | 53,637 | 17% |
| Project Management | 53,488 | 17% |
| Power BI | 50,824 | 16% |
| Finance | 45,340 | 15% |
| Data Modeling | 41,182 | 13% |
| Data Management | 37,820 | 12% |
| Marketing | 37,205 | 12% |
| Economics | 33,817 | 11% |
| Agile Methodology | 33,480 | 11% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 136,395 | 44% |
| Management | 97,068 | 31% |
| Leadership | 73,780 | 24% |
| Problem Solving | 72,939 | 23% |
| Research | 71,539 | 23% |
| Mathematics | 67,032 | 22% |
| Operations | 64,431 | 21% |
| Microsoft Excel | 64,072 | 21% |
| Detail Oriented | 54,879 | 18% |
| Presentations | 54,102 | 17% |
| Writing | 53,927 | 17% |
| Innovation | 40,919 | 13% |
| Planning | 40,045 | 13% |
| Decision Making | 38,433 | 12% |
| Customer Service | 37,080 | 12% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 34,392 | 11% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 34,011 | 11% |
| Microsoft Office | 33,676 | 11% |
| Sales | 33,544 | 11% |
| Analytical Skills | 31,395 | 10% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Data Scientists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysts | 114,258 | 33.6% |
| Data Scientists | 87,528 | 25.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 30,384 | 8.9% |
| Machine Learning Engineers | 17,994 | 5.3% |
| Business Data Analysts | 10,714 | 3.1% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was data analysts, with 44,785 unique job postings. Data scientists were second, with 13,011 postings, followed by business intelligence analysts, machine learning engineers and business data analysts.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to data scientists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysts | 114,258 | 33.6% |
| Data Scientists | 87,528 | 25.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 30,384 | 8.9% |
| Machine Learning Engineers | 17,994 | 5.3% |
| Business Data Analysts | 10,714 | 3.1% |
| Data Science Managers | 10,080 | 3% |
| Lead Data Scientists | 7,387 | 2.2% |
| Reporting Analysts | 6,698 | 2% |
| Principal Data Scientists | 7,344 | 2.2% |
| Business Intelligence Managers | 5,747 | 1.7% |
| Directors of Data Science | 4,996 | 1.5% |
| Data Stewards | 5,171 | 1.5% |
| Data Analytics Scientists | 4,836 | 1.4% |
| Business Analysts | 4,756 | 1.4% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 3,552 | 1% |
| Data Reporting Analysts | 3,556 | 1% |
| Data Specialists | 5,334 | 1.6% |
| Machine Learning Data Scientists | 3,208 | 0.9% |
| Data Analytics Engineers | 2,799 | 0.8% |
| Business Information Analysts | 4,152 | 1.2% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for data scientists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for data scientists.
How much do data scientists make?
Data Scientists: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.