Occupation AtlasData Scientists

O*NET · 15-2051.00

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.

Also called Analytics Consultant · Applied Scientist · Data Analyst · Data Analytic Scientist · Data Analytics Scientist · Data Analytics Specialist · Data Architect · Data Consultant
21 more

Data Economist · Data Engineer · Data Management Scientist · Data Mining Analyst · Data Modeler · Data Quality Analyst · Data Science Engineer · Data Science Intern · Data Specialist · Machine Learning Data Scientist · Machine Learning Engineer · Machine Learning Scientist · Machine Learning Software Engineer · Marketing Data Scientist · Psychometric Consultant · Quantitative Methodologist · Quantitative Researcher · Research Analyst · Research Scientist · Statistical Analyst · Statistical Consultant

Job Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation NeededHolland code ICA35 skills on file

Compare with another occupationCompare with Statistical Assistants

Job Zone

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed

Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree plus several years of work-related experience, knowledge, or training.

Job Zone is O*NET's rating of how much education, experience and training an occupation typically needs — a property of the work, not of anyone doing it.

Occupational interest profile

ICAInvestigative · Conventional · Artistic — the three strongest interests, in order

  • I Investigative6.98
  • C Conventional5.39
  • A Artistic2.61
  • R Realistic2.17
  • E Enterprising1.71
  • S Social1.66

RIASEC (Holland) interests on O*NET's 0–7 scale: what the work draws on, not what any individual prefers. Hover a row for what each dimension means.

Education and experience

The education level respondents say the job requires, and the most common answer for experience and training.

  • Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
  • Bachelor's Degree48%
  • Master's Degree44%
  • Doctor's Degree - Research/Scholarship4%
Related work experience
None (28%)
On-site or in-plant training
None (44%)
On-the-job training
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (29%)

Typically associated skills

All 35 O*NET skills, most important first. Importance (1–5) says how much a skill matters here; level (0–7) says how much of it the work calls for, with O*NET's example of a nearby level. Neither is a proficiency rating of a person.

  • MathematicsbasicImportance 4.4Level 5.0Level 4 looks like: Calculate the square footage of a new home under construction
  • Critical ThinkingbasicImportance 4.3Level 4.6Level 4 looks like: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
  • Reading ComprehensionbasicImportance 3.9Level 4.6Level 4 looks like: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
  • Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.8Level 4.1Level 4 looks like: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
  • ProgrammingImportance 3.8Level 3.9Level 4 looks like: Write a statistical analysis program to analyze demographic data
  • Active LearningbasicImportance 3.6Level 4.4Level 4 looks like: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
  • SpeakingbasicImportance 3.6Level 3.8Level 4 looks like: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
  • WritingbasicImportance 3.5Level 4.1Level 4 looks like: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
  • Active ListeningbasicImportance 3.5Level 3.8Level 4 looks like: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
  • Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4Level 4.0Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
  • MonitoringbasicImportance 3.3Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
  • Time ManagementImportance 3.0Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Keep a monthly calendar of appointments
Show the other 23

Tasks

15 core · 1 supplemental

What people in this occupation do, as O*NET records it, core tasks first by importance (1–5).

  1. Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.Importance 4.3
  2. Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.Importance 4.3
  3. Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.Importance 4.3
  4. Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.Importance 4.2
  5. Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.Importance 4.2
  6. Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.Importance 4.1
  7. Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.Importance 4.0
  8. Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.Importance 4.0
  9. Identify solutions to business problems, such as budgeting, staffing, and marketing decisions, using the results of data analysis.Importance 3.9
  10. Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.Importance 3.8
  11. Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.Importance 3.7
  12. Write new functions or applications in programming languages to conduct analyses.Importance 3.6
Show the other 4
  1. Read scientific articles, conference papers, or other sources of research to identify emerging analytic trends and technologies.Importance 3.4
  2. Propose solutions in engineering, the sciences, and other fields using mathematical theories and techniques.Importance 3.1
  3. Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.Importance 3.0
  4. Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.Importance 3.0

Knowledge

Bodies of knowledge the work draws on.

  • MathematicsImportance 4.5Level 5.7
  • Computers and ElectronicsImportance 4.2Level 5.8
  • English LanguageImportance 3.0Level 3.4Level 4 looks like: Edit an article for a news website
  • Engineering and TechnologyImportance 2.9Level 3.5Level 4 looks like: Design a custom office chair
  • Education and TrainingImportance 2.3Level 2.9
  • Communications and MediaImportance 2.2Level 2.1Level 1 looks like: Write a thank you note
  • Administration and ManagementImportance 2.1Level 3.0Level 4 looks like: Monitor progress of a project to ensure timely completion
  • DesignImportance 2.1Level 2.5Level 1 looks like: Draw a straight line 4 3/16 inches long
Show all 33
  • AdministrativeImportance 2.0Level 2.4Level 1 looks like: Direct phone calls to the appropriate staff member
  • Customer and Personal ServiceImportance 1.9Level 2.2Level 1 looks like: Process a customer's dry-cleaning drop off
  • PsychologyImportance 1.9Level 2.0Level 1 looks like: Monitor several children on a playground
  • Sales and MarketingImportance 1.9Level 2.1Level 1 looks like: Sell cakes at a bake sale
  • Economics and AccountingImportance 1.8Level 1.6Level 1 looks like: Answer billing questions from credit card customers
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesImportance 1.8Level 2.2Level 1 looks like: Fill out a medical claim form
  • PhysicsImportance 1.8Level 1.9Level 1 looks like: Use a crowbar to pry open a box
  • Production and ProcessingImportance 1.8Level 2.0Level 1 looks like: Put a computer back into its packing materials
  • Law and GovernmentImportance 1.7Level 1.6Level 1 looks like: Describe the length of a U.S. presidential term
  • Sociology and AnthropologyImportance 1.7Level 1.8Level 1 looks like: Identify two cultures in a story as being different
  • Public Safety and SecurityImportance 1.6Level 1.0Level 1 looks like: Use a seatbelt
  • GeographyImportance 1.5Level 1.7Level 1 looks like: Know the capital of the United States
  • TelecommunicationsImportance 1.5Level 1.2Level 1 looks like: Send an email
  • MechanicalImportance 1.4Level 0.5Level 1 looks like: Replace the filters in a furnace
  • Medicine and DentistryImportance 1.4Level 1.0Level 1 looks like: Use a band-aid
  • Philosophy and TheologyImportance 1.4Level 0.9Level 1 looks like: Watch a TV show on family values
  • BiologyImportance 1.3Level —
  • Building and ConstructionImportance 1.3Level —
  • ChemistryImportance 1.3Level —
  • TransportationImportance 1.3Level —
  • Food ProductionImportance 1.2Level —
  • History and ArcheologyImportance 1.2Level —
  • Therapy and CounselingImportance 1.2Level —
  • Fine ArtsImportance 1.1Level —
  • Foreign LanguageImportance 1.1Level —

Abilities

Enduring capacities the work calls for.

  • Deductive ReasoningImportance 4.3Level 4.8Level 5 looks like: Decide what factors to consider in selecting stocks
  • Inductive ReasoningImportance 4.3Level 4.8Level 4 looks like: Determine the prime suspect based on crime scene evidence
  • Information OrderingImportance 4.1Level 4.1
  • Mathematical ReasoningImportance 4.1Level 4.4Level 4 looks like: Decide how to calculate profits to determine the amounts of yearly bonuses
  • Written ComprehensionImportance 4.0Level 4.5Level 4 looks like: Understand an apartment lease
  • Near VisionImportance 3.9Level 3.9
  • Problem SensitivityImportance 3.9Level 4.0Level 4 looks like: Notice from a subtle difference in a client's mood that something is bothering them
  • Written ExpressionImportance 3.9Level 4.3Level 4 looks like: Write a job recommendation for a subordinate
Show all 52
  • Category FlexibilityImportance 3.8Level 3.8Level 3 looks like: Classify flowers according to size, color, and smell
  • Oral ComprehensionImportance 3.8Level 4.6Level 4 looks like: Understand a coach's oral instructions for a sport
  • Number FacilityImportance 3.6Level 4.0Level 3 looks like: Calculate a discounted price
  • Oral ExpressionImportance 3.6Level 4.5Level 4 looks like: Give instructions to a lost motorist
  • Speech ClarityImportance 3.6Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Make stadium-wide announcements during a sporting event
  • Flexibility of ClosureImportance 3.5Level 3.5Level 4 looks like: Look for a golf ball in tall grass
  • OriginalityImportance 3.4Level 3.9Level 4 looks like: Redesign job tasks to be interesting for employees
  • Selective AttentionImportance 3.3Level 3.3Level 4 looks like: Watch security monitors for intruders throughout the night shift
  • Speech RecognitionImportance 3.3Level 3.3Level 4 looks like: Identify a former customer's voice over the phone
  • Fluency of IdeasImportance 3.1Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Think of as many ideas as possible for the name of a new company
  • Speed of ClosureImportance 3.0Level 3.3Level 3 looks like: Recognize a song after hearing only the first few notes
  • Perceptual SpeedImportance 2.9Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Sort mail according to ZIP codes with no time pressure
  • Far VisionImportance 2.6Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Read a roadside billboard
  • VisualizationImportance 2.6Level 2.6Level 2 looks like: Imagine how to place paper in a printer so that the letterhead comes out on top
  • Time SharingImportance 2.5Level 2.4Level 2 looks like: Listen to music while entering numbers into a spreadsheet
  • MemorizationImportance 2.4Level 2.3Level 1 looks like: Remember the number on your bus to be sure you get back on the right one
  • Trunk StrengthImportance 2.3Level 1.8Level 2 looks like: Sit up in an office chair
  • Wrist-Finger SpeedImportance 2.1Level 2.0Level 2 looks like: Use a screwdriver to twist in a screw
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessImportance 1.8Level 1.0Level 2 looks like: Light a candle
  • Auditory AttentionImportance 1.8Level 1.0Level 2 looks like: Listen to a lecture while people nearby are talking
  • Finger DexterityImportance 1.8Level 1.0Level 2 looks like: Put coins in a parking meter
  • Visual Color DiscriminationImportance 1.8Level 1.4Level 1 looks like: Separate laundry into colors and whites
  • Manual DexterityImportance 1.6Level 0.8Level 1 looks like: Screw a light bulb into a light socket
  • Control PrecisionImportance 1.5Level 0.5
  • Depth PerceptionImportance 1.5Level 0.5
  • Hearing SensitivityImportance 1.5Level 0.8
  • Dynamic StrengthImportance 1.4Level 0.4
  • Spatial OrientationImportance 1.3Level —
  • Dynamic FlexibilityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Explosive StrengthImportance 1.0Level —
  • Extent FlexibilityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Glare SensitivityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Gross Body CoordinationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Gross Body EquilibriumImportance 1.0Level —
  • Multilimb CoordinationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Night VisionImportance 1.0Level —
  • Peripheral VisionImportance 1.0Level —
  • Rate ControlImportance 1.0Level —
  • Reaction TimeImportance 1.0Level —
  • Response OrientationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Sound LocalizationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Speed of Limb MovementImportance 1.0Level —
  • StaminaImportance 1.0Level —
  • Static StrengthImportance 1.0Level —

Work activities

Kinds of activity the work is made of.

  • Analyzing Data or InformationImportance 4.8Level 6.5Level 7 looks like: Analyze the cost of medical care services for all hospitals in the country
  • Working with ComputersImportance 4.8Level 4.9Level 4 looks like: Write software for keeping track of parts in inventory
  • Processing InformationImportance 4.7Level 6.3Level 7 looks like: Compile data for a complex scientific report
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersImportance 4.5Level 5.5Level 4 looks like: Interpret how foreign tax laws apply to U.S. exports
  • Getting InformationImportance 4.3Level 5.2Level 4 looks like: Review a budget
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsImportance 4.3Level 5.3Level 4 looks like: Select the location for a major retail store
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeImportance 4.3Level 6.0Level 7 looks like: Learn information related to a complex and rapidly changing technology
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesImportance 4.0Level 4.9Level 4 looks like: Report the results of a sales meeting to a supervisor
Show all 41
  • Documenting/Recording InformationImportance 3.9Level 4.6Level 4 looks like: Document the results of a crime scene investigation
  • Thinking CreativelyImportance 3.8Level 5.5Level 4 looks like: Adapt popular music for a high school marching band
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsImportance 3.7Level 4.5Level 4 looks like: Judge the suitability of food products for an event
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to OthersImportance 3.6Level 5.1Level 4 looks like: Recommend a new software package to increase operational efficiency
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkImportance 3.5Level 4.8Level 4 looks like: Plan and adjust a personal to-do list according to changing demands
  • Developing Objectives and StrategiesImportance 3.2Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Develop the plan to complete the merger of two organizations over a 3-year period
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationImportance 3.2Level 4.0Level 4 looks like: Estimate the time required to evacuate a city in the event of a major disaster
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsImportance 3.1Level 4.1Level 4 looks like: Maintain good working relationships with almost all coworkers and clients
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsImportance 2.9Level 3.7Level 4 looks like: Test electrical circuits
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of OthersImportance 2.8Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Organize the cleanup crew after a major sporting event
  • Scheduling Work and ActivitiesImportance 2.8Level 3.4Level 4 looks like: Prepare the work schedule for salesclerks in a large retail store
  • Training and Teaching OthersImportance 2.8Level 3.9Level 4 looks like: Teach a social sciences course to high school students
  • Developing and Building TeamsImportance 2.7Level 3.2Level 4 looks like: Lead an assembly team in an automobile plant
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsImportance 2.7Level 3.0Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a complicated insurance claim for compliance with policy terms
  • Communicating with People Outside the OrganizationImportance 2.6Level 3.2Level 4 looks like: Present information to potential clients about available services
  • Coaching and Developing OthersImportance 2.5Level 3.7Level 4 looks like: Provide on-the-job training for administrative workers
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesImportance 2.5Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Manage a small team of employees in a dynamic workplace
  • Selling or Influencing OthersImportance 2.4Level 2.7
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleImportance 2.1Level 2.3Level 1 looks like: Determine whether to remove a tree that has been damaged
  • Staffing Organizational UnitsImportance 2.1Level 3.0Level 4 looks like: Interview candidates for a sales position and make hiring recommendations
  • Performing Administrative ActivitiesImportance 2.0Level 2.2Level 1 looks like: Complete routine paperwork
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersImportance 2.0Level 2.6
  • Monitoring and Controlling ResourcesImportance 1.9Level 1.8Level 1 looks like: Work as a server responsible for keeping track of utensils
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsImportance 1.8Level 1.6Level 1 looks like: Check that doors to building are locked
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersImportance 1.7Level 1.3Level 1 looks like: Help a coworker complete an assignment
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentImportance 1.4Level —
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesImportance 1.3Level 0.5Level 1 looks like: Operate a cash register
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicImportance 1.3Level 0.7Level 1 looks like: Check tickets at a concert
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsImportance 1.2Level —
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentImportance 1.2Level —
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesImportance 1.1Level —
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentImportance 1.0Level —
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentImportance 1.0Level —

Work context

The conditions most characteristic of the work, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale.

  • E-Mail4.8
  • Spend Time Sitting4.8
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.7
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.2
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.2
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.1
  • Freedom to Make Decisions4.0
  • Telephone Conversations3.8
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team3.8
  • Level of Competition3.7

Technology

87 tools

Software used in this work. In demand: among the tools job postings for this occupation name most. Hot: often named in job postings across the economy.

In demand (21)

  • Amazon Web Services AWS softwarehot
  • Apache Hadoophot
  • Apache Sparkhot
  • C++hot
  • Githot
  • Microsoft Azure softwarehot
  • Microsoft Excelhot
  • Microsoft Power BIhot
  • Microsoft PowerPointhot
  • Pythonhot
  • PyTorchhot
  • Rhot
  • SAShot
  • Snowflakehot
  • Structured query language SQLhot
  • Tableauhot
  • TensorFlowhot
  • The MathWorks MATLABhot
  • NumPy
  • pandas
  • Scikit-learn

Hot (37; 18 more marked hot above)

  • Alteryx software
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
  • Amazon Redshift
  • Apache Airflow
  • Apache Cassandra
  • Apache Hive
  • Apache Kafka
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • Docker
  • Elasticsearch
  • GitHub
  • Go
  • Google Looker Analytics
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • JavaScript
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSON
  • Jenkins CI
  • Kubernetes
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
Show the other 13
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • MongoDB
  • NoSQL
  • Oracle Java
  • Perl
  • PostgreSQL
  • Ruby
  • Scala
  • Shell script
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Teradata Database
  • UNIX
Other tools (29)
  • Amazon Simple Storage Service S3
  • Amazon Web Services AWS SageMaker
  • Apache MXNet
  • Apache Pig
  • BigQuery
  • Business intelligence software
  • Flask
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Google Cloud software
  • Julia
  • Jupyter software
  • Keras
  • Kubeflow
  • Management information systems MIS
  • MapReduce big data software
  • Mathematical software
  • Mlflow
  • Neo4j
  • OpenAI ChatGPT
  • PySpark
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Reporting software
  • RESTful API
  • SciPy
  • Shiny
  • spaCy
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Statistical software
  • XGBoost

Related occupations

O*NET's own list of the occupations most related to this one, closest first.

ESCO equivalents

From the official ESCO–O*NET crosswalk, strongest match first. A broader occupation takes in this one; a narrower one is a part of it.

Closest occupations

Compare any occupation →

Other O*NET occupations whose importance ratings on the 35 skills both rate are nearest to this one's, with the biggest differences named. A plain rule, not a hidden score.

Use this in your own job architecture

BlissPoint Organization Viewer can link a role directly to this occupation and suggest these skills as that role's starting requirements.

Try it free →

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. ESCO occupations and skills are from the European Commission's ESCO classification, and the occupation crosswalk is the official ESCO–O*NET mapping by the ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA. This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission. BlissPoint Analytics has modified all or some of this information: skill, task and descriptor ratings are rounded to one decimal, and ESCO occupations show Job Zone and interests copied from a crosswalked O*NET occupation. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.