Explore the average salary for a data science manager position and review the various factors that could impact your earnings, including the necessary data analysis skills and educational background you’ll need.
Data science managers help devise and deploy methodologies for converting raw, unstructured data into actionable insights. Leading data scientists' teams have a central role in defining and shaping organizations’ data-driven strategies. These professionals maintain a high level of proficiency in an array of data technologies, including, but not limited to, data structures, data mining, and data security applications.
Discover more about the job duties, salary range, and market trends associated with data science managers.
A data science manager uses data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning techniques to uncover hidden patterns, trends, and relationships within structured or unstructured data sets. Among the other work duties of a data science manager are:
Coaching and supervising data engineers and analysts
Determining the accuracy and efficacy of novel data sources
Developing bespoke data models and algorithms
Did you know? The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s information access division (IAD) launched a data science research program (DSRP) to expedite the research and development of data analytic methods for improved access and decoding of multimodal heterogeneous data [1].
The average annual income for data science managers ranges from $97,145 to $162,548, according to multiple job listing sites. Below is the table depicting those salary ranges as of February 2025:
Although it’s helpful to know the average, many factors can affect your salary when you work in a data science manager position. Your education, skills, certifications, experience, and location are among the considerations that can impact your earning potential. Let's examine each of the aspects more closely below.
If you want to transition from an entry-level data science role to a leadership position in the same field, consider earning a master’s degree to boost your salary. Here is a breakdown:
According to Zippia, data science managers with a master’s degree earn an average of $121,102 [6]. Those with a bachelor's degree have a potential annual income of around $112,395, while professionals with an associate degree can expect to earn approximately $91,299 [6].
Among data science managers, 62 percent have a bachelor's degree, making it the most common educational qualification. Additionally, approximately 16 percent have a master's degree, and about 12 percent hold an associate degree [6].
Data science enthusiasts typically choose business as their top major. Other commonly chosen majors among data science managers include statistics, computer science, and information systems.
According to Payscale, data science managers possess expert knowledge in machine learning, statistical analysis, Python, and big data analytics. Explore how these skills impact salary below [4]:
Machine learning: $149,844
Statistical analysis: $141,430
Python: $150,316
Big data analytics: $143,192
Getting certified in specific skills demonstrates your mastery of the subject and can help move your career forward. Certifications often require continuous education, ensuring you remain current with advancements and trends in data science. By obtaining relevant certifications, you establish credibility and broaden your skill set.
Some noteworthy certifications that can greatly benefit your career as a data science manager, and the average salary of each, include:
Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP): $112,000 [7]
NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA): $108,000 [8]
Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM): $106,000 [9]
As you progress in your professional journey and gather more expertise, you can anticipate a parallel increase in your annual income. The following figures from Glassdoor offer an estimate of the average compensation for data science managers at different experience levels [3]:
0–1 year: $143,843
1–3 years: $156,303
4–6 years: $167,489
7–9 years: $175,690
10–14 years: $186,506
15 or more years: $193,796
The overall economic health of a city can impact job opportunities and salary levels. However, remember that salary is just one factor to consider; the cost of living, quality of life, and overall career growth opportunities should also play a significant role in your decision-making process. Keep in mind that typically cities with higher cost of living will offer higher wages.
Four of the top-paying cities for data science managers, according to Payscale, include the following:
The industry you work in can significantly impact the salary you can expect as a data science manager. For example, industries such as information technology, real estate, and retail offer high salaries for data science managers. The following figures from Glassdoor corroborate the same [3].
Information technology: $312,149
Management and consulting: $216,178
Retail and wholesale: $211,608
From offering targeted services to optimizing supply chains through data analysis, data science managers command attractive salaries in the financial services and pharmaceutical sectors as well, given the importance of their role [3]:
Financial services: $195,865
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $174,247
As you work to advance to a management-level role, you might start in various other areas, including data analysis. Whether you want to explore positions suitable for early in your career or jobs similar to that of a data science manager, consider the following job titles. Each can serve as a milestone on your professional journey toward becoming a data science manager.
Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $111,825 [14]
As a data analyst, your role involves overseeing, standardizing, and fine-tuning data to extract valuable insights that can be utilized independently or in conjunction with other numerical data. Furthermore, you may use charts, graphs, and tables, among other visual aids, to clarify the significance of the data for specific periods of time.
Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $113,026 [15]
As a data science specialist, you'll be responsible for extracting and examining data from company databases to enhance product development, refine marketing strategies, and shape business tactics. Additionally, you'll evaluate the precision and efficiency of new data sources and methods for collecting data.
Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $101,369 [16]
As a data science consultant, you will interpret data analyses. Besides generating reports, you will also play a key role in crafting and implementing strategies to optimize in-use data systems and technology.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for computer and information systems managers will increase by 17 percent from 2023 to 2033. This projection is faster than the average across all jobs and translates to an average of 54,700 new job opportunities yearly [17].
Data science management is an area of employment with excellent career growth opportunities and high salaries. Learning in-demand data skills can help you move your career forward. For example, consider taking IBM’s Introduction to Data Science Specialization on Coursera. This beginner-friendly program will introduce you to JupyterLab, R Studio, and Watson Studio, among other data science tools.
NIST. “Data Science, https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/data-science.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
ZipRecruiter. “Data Science Manager, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Data-Science-Manager-Salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Data Science Manager make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-data-science-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,23.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Data Science Manager Salary, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Science_Manager/Salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Salary.com. “Data Science Manager Salary in the United States, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/data-science-manager-salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Zippia. “Best colleges and majors for data managers, https://www.zippia.com/data-manager-jobs/education/?src=chatbot_popout_displayed.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Certified_Data_Management_Professional_(CDMP)/Salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: NetApp Certified Data Management Administrator (NCDA), https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=NetApp_Certified_Data_Management_Administrator_(NCDA)/Salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM), https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Certified_Clinical_Data_Manager_(CCDM)/Salary.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Data Science Manager Salary in San Francisco, California, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Science_Manager/Salary/123d982e/San-Francisco-CA.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Data Science Manager Salary in Los Angeles, California, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Science_Manager/Salary/dd7af751/Los-Angeles-CA.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Data Science Manager Salary in Chicago, Illinois, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Science_Manager/Salary/79133546/Chicago-IL.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Data Science Manager Salary in Seattle, Washington, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Science_Manager/Salary/7a98d047/Seattle-WA.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Data Science Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-science-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Data Science Specialist make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-science-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Data Science Consultant Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-science-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer and Information Systems Managers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm.” Accessed February 11, 2025.
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