What is the annual salary of a data scientist in the US? Also explains the key to increasing your annual salary.

2024.08.30

  • Industry Information
アメリカのデータサイエンティストの年収はどれくらい?年収をアップさせるポイントも解説

Data scientist is known worldwide as a profession with high income potential, especially in the United States, where it is not uncommon to receive offers as high as 20 to 30 million yen per year. In the U.S., in particular, it is not uncommon to receive offers as high as 20-30 million yen a year. Competition among companies is intensifying as they seek to secure talented personnel. Many people may be interested in the annual salary of data scientists in the United States.

In this article, we will explain in detail the annual salary situation for data scientists in the U.S. and introduce some points to further increase the annual salary. If you are interested in pursuing a career in the data science field, please refer to this article.

What is a data scientist?


データサイエンティストとは?

Data scientists are professionals who extract valuable information from data and support business decision-making and problem-solving through the use of advanced technologies such as statistical analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and data mining. Data itself is nothing more than a collection of numbers and letters and has no value by itself. It is only when these data are converted into a meaningful form and interpreted that the value that contributes to business is born. Thus, the role of a data scientist is to transform data into a form that can be used for business purposes, and to use the results to support corporate growth and improve competitiveness.

While the main focus of the job is to analyze data, the data scientist is also responsible for a variety of other tasks. Typical work processes include
 

  • Identifying corporate issues and formulating strategies
  • Construction of data analysis environment
  • Data collection, organization, and preprocessing
  • Data analysis
  • Interpretation of results and hypothesis testing
  • Reporting and submission of output

In addition, the types of data handled by data scientists vary depending on the industry and type of business. For example, data obtained from various economic activities, such as website access logs, product sales data, credit card payment history data, medical image data, and IoT data in production plants, are used to support corporate decision-making.

Please refer to the following article for more information on data scientists.

See also: What is a Data Scientist? Main job description and how to become one are also explained.

What is the appeal of being a data scientist?


データサイエンティストの魅力とは?

Data scientist is a profession that has become increasingly in demand in recent years, but what are the attractions of working as a data scientist? Below are three of the main attractions of working as a data scientist.

You can learn highly in-demand skills such as data analysis.

One of the most attractive aspects of working as a data scientist is the ability to learn advanced technologies such as data analysis and machine learning, which are in high demand in today's business world. These technologies are now in demand by many companies, and data scientists can play an active role as key personnel in supporting the growth of such companies.

Furthermore, by utilizing advanced technologies to support data-driven decision making, you will find it very rewarding to contribute directly to the growth of a company. By using data science to make business systems more efficient and create new services, you will lead to the growth of the entire company. Being able to feel these changes up close and personal is a privilege of working as a data scientist.

Advantageous in the job market

Data scientists are highly specialized and skilled, making the position very lucrative in the job market. In recent years, with the increasing use of big data and AI, the demand for people with data analysis skills is rapidly increasing, and data scientists in particular are in top demand among them. As a result, many companies are looking for talented data scientists, and career options are expanding regardless of industry or company.

Demand has been growing recently, especially in the fields of finance, manufacturing, logistics, and medicine, and data scientists are valued as valuable assets, often with high annual salaries.

Data scientists who possess not only technical skills such as data mining, but also management skills will have even more options for career change and can aim for higher annual incomes.

You can also consider working overseas.

Data scientist skills are transferable across national borders, so a career overseas is also a viable career option. There is a global shortage of data scientists, and demand is rising steadily. The demand is especially evident in major cities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Against this backdrop, more and more companies are offering high compensation and attractive positions in order to secure talented data scientists.

Technology companies in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are focusing on hiring data scientists, and in some cases, annual salaries of 30 million yen or more have been set. While English proficiency is a must to be successful overseas, the ability to work on a larger stage while being exposed to a different culture is a great advantage.

Why do data scientists in the U.S. earn so much?


アメリカのデータサイエンティストの年収が高い理由

One of the reasons for the high annual salaries of data scientists in the United States is the severe shortage of human resources and the high salaries in certain regions, such as Silicon Valley. In some areas, especially in California, annual salaries can exceed 20 million yen, and companies offer high compensation in order to secure talented personnel.

While the shortage of IT personnel is an issue in Japan as well, this is a global trend, especially more pronounced in the United States. Silicon Valley and other IT-related companies are offering high compensation to recruit data scientists, but even so, there are not enough people to meet the demand.

Another reason for the high annual salary of data scientists is that the U.S. is a leading country in data science and AI technology, and companies are actively investing in these fields. In technology companies as well as in industries such as finance and healthcare, data-driven decision making is at the core of management, and demand for data scientists with advanced analytical skills is increasing. Against this backdrop, annual salaries for data scientists in the U.S. remain high by global standards.

If you want to further your career as a data scientist and aim for a higher annual salary, United World can help. If you are considering further developing your skills or changing jobs, please contact us for a free consultation.

Talk to United World about 
career change.

Annual Income of Data Scientists in the U.S.


アメリカにおけるデータサイエンティストの年収事情

According to “Data Scientist in the United States 2024” published by Glassdoor, a U.S. job search website, the median annual salary for a data scientist in the U.S. is $159,000. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on April 3, 2024, the average annual salary in the United States as a whole is $65,470 (approximately 9.46 million yen). In fact, data scientists in the U.S. earn an average of $65,470 (approximately 9.46 million yen) per year.

In fact, data scientists are considered one of the “highest earning professions” in the U.S., and many companies and organizations are trying to leverage data to become more competitive. Among the highest earners are data scientists working in Silicon Valley. The region is home to a concentration of big tech companies (a generic term for massive IT companies that have a huge global impact), and it is not uncommon to find companies offering annual salaries in excess of 30 million yen.

For example, a data scientist position at the world-renowned technology company Apple offers an annual salary of $165,500 to $248,700 (approximately 24 to 36 million yen), which is much higher than the average annual salary for the U.S. as a whole and for data scientists. The average annual salary of data scientists is much higher than the average annual salary of data scientists in the U.S. as a whole.

Reference: Best Jobs in America | Glassdoor
Reference: BLS|Occupational Employment and Wages Summary

Even Japanese data scientists can earn more than 10 million yen per year.


日本のデータサイエンティストでも年収1000万円超えは可能

The demand for data scientists in Japan is increasing year by year, and it is quite possible for them to earn more than 10 million yen per year. The use of data is becoming increasingly important in Japan, and the salary level for data scientists is rising accordingly.

Compared to other IT-related jobs, data scientists are said to have high income expectations, and it is not unusual for annual salaries to exceed 10 million yen. As one builds a career as a data scientist and is promoted to a senior position such as project leader or manager, it is possible to earn an even higher annual salary.

Some say that annual salaries for data scientists in Japan are lower than those in other countries, but in fact, there are many companies that offer annual salaries in excess of 10 million yen. Below we introduce two full-time jobs with annual incomes of 10 million yen or more that are publicly available through the recruitment agent United World Inc.

 

1) Data Scientist jobs at a major general trading company group

  • Essential requirements: Lead level skills and experience as a data scientist, knowledge of AI/data analysis/statistics/AI and project achievements, business or native level English skills, etc.
  • Welcomed requirement: extensive data analysis and AI model building experience in business cases
  • Compensation: 6 to 18 million yen per year


Click here for details on the job page


Job Description: (2) Data Scientist/Director position

  • Essential Requirements: Experience in a series of data analysis tasks using machine learning techniques, knowledge of statistical analysis/machine learning techniques, Python (or R) and SQL programming skills, basic business skills, etc.
  • Welcomed requirements: Deep domain knowledge/expertise in a specific industry, experience in data analysis using BI tools, IT knowledge at the level of a basic information processing engineer, English proficiency
  • Benefits: Annual salary of 14-30 million yen


Click here for details on the job page

Will the average annual salary of data scientists continue to rise?


データサイエンティストの平均年収は今後も上昇する?

The average annual salary of data scientists is likely to continue to rise.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is sounding the alarm that if Japanese companies do not continue to promote digitalization, they will face an annual economic loss of 12 trillion yen by 2025. This problem is called the “2025 cliff,” and it is a situation that must be addressed now.

In order for companies to promote DX, it is important to make business decisions based on data, rather than relying on past experience and sense. To do so, they must build a system that allows them to turn various types of information into digital data, analyze it, and make business decisions based on solid evidence obtained from the results.

As companies thus focus on DX, the demand for data scientists, who are experts in data analysis, will increase even more. Since annual salary is determined by the balance between supply and demand, it is highly likely that the shortage of data scientists will become chronic as DX promotion is promoted as a national policy, and as a result, the average annual salary is expected to continue rising in the future.

What can I do to increase my income as a data scientist?


データサイエンティストとして年収アップを図るためにできることは?

Here are four things you can do to increase your annual salary as a data scientist.

Gain hands-on experience and hone your skills

To increase your annual salary as a data scientist, it is important to gain hands-on experience and hone your skills. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively catch up with the latest technologies and methods and keep updating one's skills.

Also, after acquiring a certain level of skills and experience, it is a good idea to try your hand at the management area. By acquiring a wide range of skills, not only in data analysis, but also in project planning and execution and team management, you can expect to broaden the scope of your work and increase your annual income.

Obtain Qualifications

To increase your market value as a data scientist, it is also recommended to acquire qualifications. Although it is possible to perform your job without qualifications, having qualifications can objectively prove your skill level in data analysis and may lead to a raise in salary.

The following six certifications are recommended for data scientists
 

  • Data Scientist Certification Literacy Level
  • OSS-DB Engineer Certification Examination
  • Database Specialist Exam
  • Oracle Master
  • Statistics Certification Examination
  • G and E certifications

In addition, globally recognized data scientist-related certifications include
 

  • Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
  • SAS Certified Data Scientist

For more information on the skills and qualifications required to become a data scientist, please refer to the following article.

Related article: A thorough explanation of the skills required for a data scientist! Also includes useful certifications.

Going Independent as a Freelancer

Another option to increase your annual income is to become independent as a freelancer.

As a company employee, you may not always receive compensation commensurate with your skills and achievements due to the seniority system and other factors. On the other hand, freelancers can receive compensation commensurate with their own achievements, and the higher the level of expertise, the more compensation they can receive.

The demand for data scientists has been growing rapidly in recent years, and there is an abundance of opportunities for freelancers. Although there are difficulties unique to freelance work, such as tax-related procedures and sales activities, depending on one's ability, a significant increase in annual salary can be targeted.

Change to an industry or company with a high average annual salary

One way to increase your annual salary is to consider changing jobs to an industry or company with a high average annual salary. In many cases, major Japanese manufacturers and consulting firms offer high annual salaries, making it easy to find a job with relatively favorable conditions.

In addition to domestic companies, we also recommend changing jobs to foreign-capitalized companies. Foreign-affiliated companies handle vast amounts of data and require advanced analytical skills, so depending on your abilities, you may be able to earn a high salary. If you develop your expertise as a data scientist, you will be able to play an active role in a position of responsibility from a young age.

When considering a career change, it is important to carefully check the job requirements and job description, and build up your skills and achievements to ensure that you are the right person for the job.

Summary: United World is the place to be if you want to become a data scientist.


まとめ:データサイエンティストへの転職を目指すなら「United World」

This article describes the annual salary situation for data scientists in the U.S. and specific ways to increase their annual salary.

Data scientist is an occupation that is expected to be in ever-increasing demand in the future. Let's increase your market value as a data scientist while referring to the ways to increase your annual salary introduced in the article.

At United World Inc., dedicated career advisors work closely with each individual to support their job search. After carefully listening to your detailed requirements and career plans, we will introduce you to the best job opportunities that suit you best, so if you are considering changing jobs, please click the button below to contact us.

Talk to United World about 
career change.

back to the list

TOP