Data Scientist: career path and pay in the US
Where a Data Scientist goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Junior Data Scientist to Principal Data Scientist / Data Science Manager / Head of Data Science.
Also for the United Kingdom: Data Scientist in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Junior Data Scientist
$70K to $100K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty (optional) - Global, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer (optional) - Global, BCS Foundation Certificate (optional) - UK/EU.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Data Scientist
$105K to $155K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty - Global, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer - Global, Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate - Global, BCS Practitioner Certificate - UK/EU.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Senior Data Scientist / Lead Data Scientist
$125K to $190K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty - Global, Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer - Global, Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate - Global, BCS Advanced Certificate - UK/EU.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Principal Data Scientist / Data Science Manager / Head of Data Science
$145K to $215K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty - Global, Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer - Global, BCS Advanced Certificate - UK/EU, PhD (preferred) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
52% → 24%
Falls 28 points. Each step is harder to automate than the last. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$70K to $100K → $145K to $215K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Education people bring
Job Zone 4, job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Other paths from here
- ML Engineer
- Research Scientist
- Data Science Manager
- Chief Data Officer
More Data/Analytics paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Statisticians, Statistical Assistants, Financial Quantitative Analysts, Operations Research Analysts, Bioinformatics Scientists.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
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. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.