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Careers›Roles›Machine Learning Data Scientist
Mid-Level

Machine Learning Data Scientist

You turn data into models that predict, classify, and decide: building, training, and deploying machine learning that powers real products and choices. Teaching machines to find patterns people can't.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
I
C
A
R
E
S
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Machine Learning Data Scientists
Professional Services · 30%Financial Services · 18%Technology & Information · 12%Administrative Services · 6%Healthcare · 6%Manufacturing · 4%
Job markets for Machine Learning Data Scientists
Employment concentration · ~269 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Technology
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Machine Learning Data Scientist

Most days are a messy cycle: wrangling and exploring data, building and training models, evaluating them, and deploying what works, mostly at a screen with code and notebooks. Most of the time goes to data, not the modeling, since real data is messy, and the craft is in knowing whether a model actually works — you'll collaborate with engineers and product teams.

The reality differs from the hype. A lot of the job is cleaning data and managing expectations, not cutting-edge research. The field and tools evolve relentlessly, models can fail quietly in production, and proving real business value can be hard. The role ranges from research-heavy to engineering-heavy depending on the company.

Those who thrive here tend to be analytical, skeptical, and patient with messy reality — curious about data and honest about what a model can't do. If you want guaranteed clean problems or fast certainty, the ambiguity may frustrate. But for those drawn to finding real signal in noisy data, and shipping models that matter, the work tends to stay engaging.

What people in this role value
Work values data not available for this role.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$112K+9%
Professional Services$101K-2%
Energy & Utilities$88K-15%
Wholesale & Distribution$85K-17%
Government$80K-22%
Compared to Technology average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Machine Learning Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Technology →
Machine Learning Data ScientistResearch ScientistMachine Learning EngineerQuantitative Strategy AnalystBioinformatics Research ScientistData AnalystData ModelerResearch AnalystData Quality AnalystQuantitative ResearcherAnalytics ConsultantData SpecialistTableau DeveloperData ArchitectMachine Learning ScientistStatistical AnalystPsychometric ConsultantQuantitative MethodologistData ScientistData Science EngineerData Analytic ScientistData Analytics ScientistMarketing Data ScientistData Management ScientistMachine Learning Software Engineer
Exploring the Machine Learning Data Scientist career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$64K–$194K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
233K
U.S. Employment
+33.5%
10yr Growth
23K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$80K$77K$74K$71K$68K201920202021202220232024$68K$80K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

No skills data available

O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
15-2051.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

directorData Operations Director$171KmidResearch Scientist$95KmidMachine Learning Engineer$121KmidQuantitative Strategy Analyst$80KmidBioinformatics Research Scientist$93KseniorSenior Research Scientist$95K
View all Technology roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.