What Can I Do with an MBA in Data Science?

Data science is at the top of fields with plenty of demand and job growth. Businesses use data to help leadership make informed decisions and meet performance goals, and India’s data professionals are essential for gathering insights and making recommendations based on that data. While the technical skills necessary for performing those functions remain vital to the job, combining them with business management skills can optimise results. 

Once you’ve gained your bachelor’s degree, pursuing an MBA in data science could expand the variety of jobs with high earning potential for which you qualify. Read on to explore the different opportunities, including the various roles available and some skills you can develop to get jobs with an MBA in data science.

Jobs after an MBA in data science

India's data science job outlook is very strong as the widespread use of data continues to create demand for various types of data science professionals. With an increasing number of organisations relying on data collection and analysis to strengthen their practices, the need for qualified data experts is steadily growing. If you have the right skills and educational background, you may qualify for many types of roles in the data science field. 

Some examples of jobs after an MBA in data science and the associated average salary in India, as of May 2024, include:

Data scientist

Average annual base salary: ₹13,96,667 [1]

Data scientists gather, process, and analyse data sets. In this role, you will use various tools to interact with data, such as machine learning, statistical algorithms, and programming libraries. With the information you gather, you can recommend actionable steps to help a business reach its stated goals.

A typical day as a data scientist may involve developing custom models to assess large data sets. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the data you use is high quality, and then you’ll extrapolate insights that help a business develop better processes, increase profit, or optimise customer experiences.

Data analyst

Average annual base salary: ₹6,50,000 [2]

A data analyst’s primary responsibilities include understanding data, creating reports that explain their insights, and advising businesses on how to meet their goals. You will help organisations find ways to improve or devise more efficient processes. It may help to have a background in computer programming languages to thrive in this position.

A typical workday involves working with colleagues to create visualisation reports and discussing possible actions or strategies to address the data's results.

Data architect

Average annual salary: ₹27,50,000 [3]

Data architects use their extensive programming knowledge to build databases that store immense amounts of data. You identify an organisation's unique needs and build a database that meets those needs, with the expectation that people across the organisation might access and use the database. You’ll collaborate with the team to drive business growth and success. 

In this position, you can expect to work with a team to design, maintain, and upgrade a database. You’ll resolve any issues, create reports as needed, and use coding to create databases from scratch.

Statistician

Average annual base salary: ₹4,23,000 [4]

Statisticians use statistics to create experiments, analyse data, and make predictions. They may do this through questionnaires, polls, or surveys, using the data they gather to derive insights and make recommendations to find actionable and realistic solutions to business problems. 

As a statistician, you’ll work with business leaders to identify what types of data they want to collect. Then, you’ll create data collection methods that address those needs. Once you’ve gathered the data, you will analyse it using statistical methods.

Market research analyst

Average annual salary: ₹10.50,000 [5] 

Market research analysts collect consumer behaviour and public sentiment data to help craft strategies for a business to implement when marketing its products and services. You apply your insights to help organisations engage and communicate with their customer base. You’ll use customer data to predict market trends and analyse the success of campaigns.

As a market research analyst, you will typically gather customer behaviour data and other market conditions and discover ways to utilise that data to maximise the effectiveness of different product marketing campaigns. You’ll work with other professionals to create new strategies and monitor their success rate.

Chief data officer

Average annual base salary: ₹24,00,000 [6]

In this senior-level data management role, you will oversee the company’s use of data in its processes to help it meet its objectives and goals. You’ll have a high-level understanding of your business’s data needs and direct the way data professionals use the data for analysis and reporting.

As a chief data officer, you’ll use your expertise to collaborate with other C-suite professionals in setting policies and procedures for data collection and use. You’ll likely need an extensive background in data collection and analysis and executive experience.

Data engineer

Average annual base salary: ₹10.00,000 [7]

Data engineers develop and maintain data infrastructure and systems. In this role, you ensure secure and effective data flow through the various databases used by other data professionals. You will use your technical skills to create the infrastructure necessary to convert raw data into a form your colleagues can easily access and analyse.

You’ll work with C-suite professionals and colleagues to ensure the infrastructure meets specific needs. Then, you’ll create tools that allow the data to move and transform effectively.

Business analyst

Average annual base salary: ₹10,00,000 [8]

Business analysts use their analytics background to gather and understand data to help further their business’s objectives. These professionals work with executives and IT teams to create tailored analytics processes that address specific questions. Business analysts often work in budgeting, risk management, and forecasting.

As a business analyst, you’ll work as part of a data professional team collecting data and applying its results to new business practices, aiming to improve customer satisfaction, increase efficiency, and maximise profits.

Data science consultant

Average annual base salary: ₹21,00,000 [9]

Data science consultants work on a team to design the plans and processes they’ll need to gather and analyse data. As a data science consultant, you will draw on your extensive analytics background to create recommended strategies, using the latest in data analysis tools. You’ll evaluate data analysis processes and develop business solutions based on your findings.

You often work with a team to identify the organisation’s needs, goals, and resources. Then, you’ll develop processes and training to address any needs or issues you find through your research.

Product analyst

Average annual base salary: ₹13,20,000 [10]

Product analysts are professionals whose primary focus is developing and marketing a business’s products. They examine data and evaluate a product’s performance, then create strategies to market the product effectively to a target audience.

In this role, you’ll research a company’s products and how they’ve historically been used and sold. Using this data, you’ll help create tailored plans to optimise marketing campaigns for each product.

Learn more with Coursera

Data science is an exciting and expanding field that offers ample opportunity in various roles for those with an MBA in data science. Advance your career and further develop your data science skills with courses and certificates on Coursera. With options such as the Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate, you can learn more about the current in-demand skills of a data scientist.