Role Intelligence

Data Scientist

Analysis from 92 job postings 2.5% of all scored jobs

92

Jobs Analyzed

2.5%

Demand Rate

$199K

Avg Salary

$191K

Median Salary

Skill Snapshot

Top Skills for Data Scientist

Based on 92 scored postings

L1L2L3L4L5

What Does a Data Scientist Do?

Role overview based on 92 scored job postings.

A Data Scientist drives outcomes across SQL, Python, Data Science and related areas. Based on 92 scored postings, this role requires a mix of technical and strategic skills at varying depth levels.

What employers are looking for:

  • SQL at L3 required in 51% of postings. Foundational understanding with practical application expected.
  • Python at L2 required in 40% of postings. Foundational understanding with practical application expected.
  • Data Science at L2 required in 33% of postings. Foundational understanding with practical application expected.
Most common gaps: Causal Inference (71% gap rate) and NLP (67% gap rate). If these apply to you, address them directly in your cover letter.

Required Skills

Skills ranked by frequency across 92 postings. L-levels show the depth employers require.

L1 AwarenessL2 BasicL3 IntermediateL4 AdvancedL5 Expert

Salary Insights

Compensation data from 36 postings with disclosed salary.

$199K

Average

$191K

Median

36

Jobs with salary data

SALARY RANGE (P10–P90)high confidence (10000 jobs)
$64K
$194K
10thTypical range: $83K$156K90th

Based on 36 Data Scientist job postings with disclosed salary data, compensation averages $199K. The median sits at $191K, indicating a few high-paying outliers pulling the average up. The typical range (25th to 75th percentile) runs $83K to $156K.

Common Skill Gaps

Skills where applicants most frequently fall short of the required depth.

NLP
67% gap

A gap doesn't mean disqualified. It means you need to address it directly. ShouldApply scores your resume against the actual depth requirements and shows exactly where you fall short, before you apply.

Score My Resume →

Top Hiring Companies

Companies with the most active Data Scientist postings in the scored dataset.

Browse Data Scientist Jobs

See live listings and check your fit score before you apply.

View 92+ Listings

Frequently Asked Questions

The top skills for Data Scientist roles are SQL, Python, Data Science, Machine Learning, Data Science Experience. Most positions require these at L3 depth or higher, meaning employers want candidates who can work independently, not just have surface awareness.

Based on 36 job postings with disclosed salary data, the average Data Scientist salary is $199K with a median of $191K. Actual compensation varies by location, company size, and experience level.

Data Scientist roles represent 2.5% of all scored jobs on ShouldApply. Common skill gaps include Causal Inference, NLP, Statistical Methods, suggesting many applicants struggle with these areas.

Top hiring companies for Data Scientist roles include Google, SoFi, Pinterest, Walmart, TikTok. These companies collectively account for a significant portion of active listings.

ShouldApply rates every skill requirement on a 1-5 depth scale: L1 (Awareness) means you can discuss the concept, L2 (Basic) means simple tasks, L3 (Intermediate) means independent work, L4 (Advanced) means leading and optimizing, and L5 (Expert) means architecting solutions. This goes beyond keyword matching to measure actual proficiency fit.

With 92 active postings analyzed and a 2.5% demand rate, Data Scientist roles show emerging market demand. Compensation is competitive, with median salaries above $100K.

See how you match Data Scientist roles

ShouldApply scores each job against your profile and flags gaps before you apply.

Analyze Your Fit Free

All Roles · Skills · Companies · Browse Jobs