Junior data scientist salary
With positions across multiple industries including manufacturing, banks, telecommunications and marketing, data scientists are sought after wherever data plays an important role – i.e., in virtually all businesses. A highly technical job that also requires a range of soft skills, data scientists can command an excellent salary.
Job description
Data scientists transform raw data into information for use by decision-makers, strategists and problem-solvers in business. With data scientists, in contrast to data analysts, there’s a focus on developing technological solutions and methods of mining and analysing data. This could involve machine learning, AI or statistical modelling. Once they understand the type of data required for the business case at hand, they select the best models and algorithms needed for extracting and investigating the data, including programming their own tailored processes. They then communicate their findings to the party requesting the data.
Skills and qualifications
While data scientists often have a degree in a related subject, such as computing, mathematics or statistics, there are diplomas and apprenticeships that can provide school leavers with the required skills for a career in data science. Data science degrees are becoming more popular at undergraduate and at postgraduate level. Specialising with a Master’s in data science can help you in commanding a higher salary, as can gaining additional qualifications in data science from professional bodies and institutes. The ability to code is also essential, with the most common programming languages being R, SAS, Python and SQL.
As data scientists work in larger teams of data and computing experts and liaise with outside parties both to understand the need for data and present their findings, communication and teamwork skills are a necessity. In addition, they’re great problem-solvers and innovators with an interest in identifying patterns and digging into details. They have excellent numerical, statistical and technical skills.
Salary
Junior data scientist salaries start at around £25-30,000, and increase with experience, with the average salary at junior level being £36,000. With a few years’ experience, earning potential reaches between £40,000 and £60,000; the average salary for a data scientist is £50,000. Maximum salaries for senior and lead data scientists, especially those managing teams and undertaking training responsibilities, can be in excess of £70,000.
Salary sources:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/data-scientist
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/
https://uk.jobted.com/salary/data-scientist
https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/what-does-a-data-scientist-do/