Data Scientists
Computer and Mathematical
Cleaning and processing large datasets in statistical software takes much of the week, then models get built to predict things such as sales, attrition, or healthcare use. Feature selection, sampling choices, and performance metrics such as loss functions or explained variance decide which model holds up. Results are shown in graphs and charts and explained in talks or written reports to managers and other users. Some of the work is designing surveys or other instruments to collect the data in the first place. A fit for people who prefer wrestling messy data into models and explaining the results in plain terms.
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$120'230
Median Wage Market Position
$120'230
What you might do
- Analyze large data sets with statistical software
- Clean and reshape raw data for modeling
- Choose features for models that predict outcomes
- Compare models using statistical performance measures
- Create graphs that convey analysis results
- Present findings to managers and other users
Skills that matter
- Cleaning raw data with statistical software
- Applying feature selection to prediction models
- Comparing models using statistical metrics
- Creating graphs and charts of findings
- Mining structured and unstructured data sets
- Briefing end users on data findings
AI & the future of this role
Coding copilots and autoML may take over much feature work, modeling, and report generation done on screen. Domain framing and skeptical review of outputs still matter, but core technical production looks especially open to automation.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details