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Data Scientists

Finds patterns in data to answer questions and make predictions.

Typical education to startBachelor's degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +35%
Median pay$120,230 a year (2025)
Interest codeIC Investigative, Conventional

Read the full guide

Data scientists collect and clean data, look for patterns, build models that predict things, and explain what they found to people making decisions. Sports teams, hospitals, retailers, banks and tech companies all hire them.

Open the data scientist guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Pre-Algebra · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

  • Engineering Design · Career and Technical

    Builds engineering, which this job uses.

  • Physics · Science

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Photography · Arts

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Data Scientists on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.