Data Scientist
Use stats, ML and code to find patterns in data and answer business questions.
This UK data scientist career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £35,000 - £50,000
- Mid-career salary
- £60,000 - £95,000
- Senior salary
- £100,000 - £160,000+
- Work environment
- Office or remote, mix of analysis and stakeholder work
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years
- Degree required
- Usually required (stats, maths, CS or PhD)
- Category
- Technology
What a Data Scientist does
Use stats, ML and code to find patterns in data and answer business questions.
- Product Data Scientist - Use data to drive product decisions and experimentation.
- Research Data Scientist - Push the boundaries of ML and applied stats.
How to become a Data Scientist
- Look up Data Scientist roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Data Scientist - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Python or R
- SQL
- Statistics
- ML basics
- Data storytelling