What You Can Earn as an Entry-Level Data Scientist

Data science is a great career bet. Data scientists_{What Do Data Scientists Do?} are in demand, so salaries for even entry level workers are generous. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 35% increase in data scientist jobs in the next 10 years! And the best part is that you don’t need a technical bachelor’s degree to make a switch to this career path. Browse the data science salaries below to see what you can expect to earn in entry level data engineering and machine learning roles.

What is the average salary for an entry-level data scientist?

The average entry level salary for a data scientist is $98,901 a year in the US, according to Glassdoor. The pay range (from the 25th to the 75th percentile of salaries reported) is $94K to $148K.

Your skill set_{The Top Data Science Skills for 2024}, location, years and breadth of experience, and the quality of your portfolio_{9 Steps to Create an Effective Data Science Portfolio} will all influence how much money you earn. Data scientists salaries can fluctuate by industry. And you’ll be compensated differently depending on if you’re a full time employee or a contractor.

Entry-level data scientist salaries

By role

The salaries below cover common entry level data science titles in the United States, per Glassdoor. 

By industry

Data scientists work across all industries. Though tech and finance offer some of the highest starting salaries for data scientists, don’t rule out other industries. Broaden your search and you may find a less competitive industry in which you can launch your career and tackle the problems that matter to you. The salaries below are median salaries for entry-level data science job titles in the United States, per Glassdoor.

By location

Half of all tech employees work remotely, but if you’re looking for an office role, these 5 states employ the highest number of data scientists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Be sure to also check out our list of the 10 best states for tech professionals_{The Top 10 States for Tech Professionals}). The average salaries below are aggregates that include more senior data science salaries.

Top companies for entry-level data scientist salaries

According to Glassdoor, the following companies pay the highest salaries to data scientists just entering the field.

1. Google
2. IBM
3. MassMutual
4. Ace American Insurance
5. Allstate
6. Accenture
7. Booz Allen Hamilton

Who earns more, bootcamp grads or college grads?

Glassdoor doesn’t distinguish between data scientist salaries for entry level bootcamp grads vs bachelor’s degree holders. In fact, it’s still hard to find definitive data about who earns more. 

Because of the demand for skilled data scientists, bootcamp grads can command salaries similar to college grads with computer science degrees.

A data science bootcamp can often be completed in less than a year (TripleTen’s takes 8 months!). It is also much cheaper than a college degree. And once you find your first role in the field, your earning potential will go up as you gain skills and experience.

How to boost your data scientist salary

If you’re a career-switcher interested in data science, take the time to pick the right bootcamp_{Review Platforms And Rankings Worth Your Attention When Choosing a Bootcamp}. Choose one that has industry ties and can not only teach you the right skills, but that can also offer job search support as well as connections to alums and industry partners. A well-respected bootcamp with name recognition boosts your chances of landing a great first job. When Rachelle_{From Tourism Sales to Data Science at Spotify: TripleTen Grad Rachelle Perez Lands a Career in Tech} was laid off from her role in tourism sales, she initially did a 6-month data science bootcamp that landed her an entry-level job in the field. But in order to grow her career and salary, she needed more. After completing TripleTen’s rigorous bootcamp, she was able to level up and land a data analyst role at Spotify.

Keep in mind: as you progress in your career, your salary will increase.

In their most recent surveys of bootcamp grads across multiple disciplines, Course Report found that “in their second jobs after bootcamp, alumni see a 23% salary lift.” 

Become a data scientist

With the high demand for data science professionals, a bootcamp can be a great investment.

If you’re thinking about making a switch to this career path, TripleTen can offer you the right support, from bootcamp to job search. Find out if a part-time Data Science bootcamp is right for you.