Skill Demand Index
ML/Data Science — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 1 scored job postings out of 3,786 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0%
Demand Rate
L2
Median Depth
0%
Gap Rate
1
Jobs Analyzed
Basic
Most employers want ML/Data Science at basic competency with practical application.
Overview
What is ML/Data Science?
Market context for ML/Data Science in the current job market
ML/Data Science is required in 0% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for ML/Data Science typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for ML/Data Science:
- •Required in 0% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
- •Employers typically expect L2 depth — foundational knowledge with practical application
- •Most demand comes from Data Science / ML roles — 100% of all ML/Data Science jobs
What L2 means in practice:
L2 (Basic) means you’ve built small things with ML/Data Science — personal projects or bootcamp work. Employers accept this for junior roles.
This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used ML/Data Science once or twice. They want evidence of professional application — shipped work, measurable outcomes, and the ability to operate independently.
Common skill gaps:
The gap rate of 0% means most candidates have adequate ML/Data Science proficiency. To stand out, aim for L4-L5 depth with concrete evidence.
Which roles need ML/Data Science most:
Data Science / ML positions drive 100% of demand. Skills commonly paired with ML/Data Science include NLP and Python.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match ML/Data Science requirements across 1 scored evaluations
Average depth: L2.0·Median depth: L2.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How ML/Data Science affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
Without ML/Data Science
$139K
Median $130K
978 jobs
Skill Demand Insight
“ML/Data Science appears in 0% of all scored jobs.”
From 1 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside ML/Data Science
Role Breakdown
Top Role Categories
Job categories most likely to require ML/Data Science
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often ML/Data Science is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
Very low gap rate — candidates generally have this skill
When ML/Data Science appears in a job's requirements, 0% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ML/Data Science in demand in 2026?
Yes. ML/Data Science appears in 0% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 1 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.
What level of ML/Data Science do most jobs require?
The median required depth is L2. Many positions accept basic to intermediate proficiency.
Does knowing ML/Data Science increase salary?
Salary data for ML/Data Science is still accumulating.
What other skills pair with ML/Data Science?
The most common pairings are NLP, Python, Generative AI/LLM, Master's or PhD, SQL. Strengthening these alongside ML/Data Science improves your fit across more positions.
What roles need ML/Data Science the most?
Top roles: Data Science / ML. Data Science / ML positions have the highest demand at 100% of all ML/Data Science jobs.
How do I improve my ML/Data Science level?
L1→L2: online courses and personal projects. L2→L3: daily professional use and shipped work. L3→L4: mentoring others and optimizing processes. L4→L5: architecture decisions, open source contributions, or published work.
See how you stack up against ML/Data Science job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my ML/Data Science gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
All Skills · Roles · Companies · Browse Jobs