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Job outlook for data modelers in the United States
Data modeler job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected data modeler job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 10,500 new jobs for data modelers are projected over the next decade.
Data modeler salaries have increased 12% for data modelers in the last 5 years.
There are over 18,745 data modelers currently employed in the United States.
There are 81,645 active data modeler job openings in the US.
The average data modeler salary is $100,495.
Are data modeler jobs in demand?
Data modeler job and salary trends over time
Data modeler jobs over time
Data modeler job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,745 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 22,830 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 27,826 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 10,863 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,443 | 0.00% |
Average data modeler salary over time
Data modeler salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100,495 | $48.32 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $97,184 | $46.72 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $94,984 | $45.67 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $91,768 | $44.12 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $89,585 | $43.07 | +4.0% |
Data modeler jobs by state
Most common states for data modelers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 322 | 46% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,306 | 19% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 107 | 17% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 190 | 14% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 102 | 14% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 807 | 13% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 464 | 13% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 134 | 13% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 100 | 13% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 692 | 12% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 369 | 12% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,437 | 11% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,099 | 11% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,014 | 11% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 642 | 11% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 208 | 11% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 104 | 11% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 95 | 11% |
| 19 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 886 | 10% |
| 20 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 308 | 10% |
Most common cities for data modelers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $93,935 |
| 2 | Herndon | 2 | 8% | $94,053 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 4 | 6% | $81,040 |
| 4 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $92,925 |
| 5 | Irving | 4 | 2% | $93,068 |
| 6 | Elgin | 2 | 2% | $85,287 |
| 7 | Tampa | 5 | 1% | $90,915 |
| 8 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $95,221 |
| 9 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $94,148 |
| 10 | Birmingham | 3 | 1% | $83,975 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $103,759 |
| 12 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $82,587 |
| 13 | Dallas | 6 | 0% | $93,112 |
| 14 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $85,416 |
| 15 | Houston | 5 | 0% | $95,616 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $101,707 |
| 17 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $81,014 |
| 18 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $93,787 |
Data Modeler job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data modeler experts
Mississippi College
University of Maryland - College Park
City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
San Francisco State University
University of Missouri - St Louis
University of Rhode Island
Nazareth College of Rochester
Lafayette College
University of Oregon
Central Connecticut State University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Roosevelt University
Rochester Institute of Technology
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Yipeng Yang: Enhance problem-solving ability. Keep learning and improving new skills in your field.
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Joseph Spivey: My first piece of advice is to recognize that you have achieved something hard and worthwhile by completing a mathematics major. There are not many people on this planet who have the knowledge and skills that you have developed! By completing a math major, you have proven that you have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and these abilities and confidence in your abilities will pay off. I also think it’s worthwhile to identify a mentor early on who can help guide you to be successful.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Warren Johnson: Statistics/data science and computer science are great professions to enter now. Mathematics is involved in these fields. It allows working with talented students and gaining new insights.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Warren Johnson: Some of us prove theorems on the frontiers of mathematics, but most of us really don't. A good mathematical training allows one to work on many different things in many contexts. Teaching is rewarding if you have good students.
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Warren Johnson: Many of the greatest ideas that men and women have had are mathematical ideas. The thrill of understanding something difficult and explaining it to talented young people is rewarding. Dislike the grading aspect of the job.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Remember to problem solve creatively just as you did in your coursework. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills you learned will be continually tested in whatever field you go into from your math degree. Also remember the benefits of collaborating with colleagues both in the field and in other disciplines.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Data analysis is certainly a growing field, and we cannot deny the benefits of having some programming skills. The ability to communicate and work with others will open doors to bigger projects.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Sean Cao: Data analytics skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and communication skills will become more important and prevalent in the next few years. Acquiring these skills positions students to gain a competitive edge in the era of AI.
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Sean Cao: First, enhancing proficiency in data analytics is important for accounting students aiming to excel in today's data-rich financial environment. It is imperative that students can effectively use advanced data analytics tools to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, such as 10-K, 8-K, and ESG disclosures. By leveraging analytical tools to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies within financial data, students can transform complex information into actionable insights. This ability not only facilitates informed decision-making but also distinguishes individuals as indispensable assets within any organization. Second, cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is particularly important in the age of AI. As AI technologies increasingly automate routine tasks, the unique human ability to think critically, evaluate complex situations, and generate innovative solutions becomes more valuable than ever. In addition, strengthening effective communication skills. In an era where technology frequently facilitates interactions, the capacity to articulate ideas clearly and convincingly, both verbally and in writing, is important. Enhancing communication skills contributes to better collaboration with colleagues and management, ensuring that your ideas and contributions are duly recognized and appreciated.
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo
Full Professor of EconomicsCity College of New York of the City University of New York, The
Economics
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo: Only by constantly learning and adapting. We live in a world which labor dynamics are in constant evolution, so we need to be ready to keep learning and adapt.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Luella Fu: Statistics is an amazing profession to enter now because the amount of data being collected and stored is always increasing. This makes Statistics a high-demand skill not just now but also in the future. The data is also of a huge variety: sports, medical, environmental, and business being just a few kinds. This means that a Statistician can use Statistics as a tool to explore almost field they want. It’s an incredibly versatile profession. You can also get an industry after a Bachelors, Master’s or PhD, so there is also flexibility in how much training you choose to undergo.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Luella Fu: I think Statisticians enjoy the quantitative reasoning aspect of their jobs, whether it’s designing the data collection, visualizing data, or creating insights from it. It’s also a pretty stable job with good pay. What Statisticians probably don’t like is the amount of time they spend in front of a computer to do their data analyses. It can create eye strain. Also, data cleaning can be full of unexpected challenges that take much longer to solve than one expects.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ambrose Kidd III: Having a broad skill set and being prepared to learn on the job. The highest salaries will be for those that get their foot in the door and then demonstrate critical thinking and leadership skills.
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Ambrose Kidd III: Be patient and explore widely. It sometimes takes a while to find the first job, but that will be a new opportunity to learn and demonstrate your ability.
Ms. Jacqueline Kelley Esq.
Adjunct ProfessorUniversity of Rhode Island
Public Administration
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Ms. Jacqueline Kelley Esq.: Data analysis is becoming more and more important to create informed decision making.
Dr. Heather Lewis
Nazareth College of Rochester
Mathematics
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Heather Lewis: Many of our students double major - a popular pairing is Mathematics and Ethical Data Science - which gives them experience with both real-life data and practice with applying their problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Dr. Amy Guisinger: Go into salary negotiations with knowledge. Research what other people are making with similar job titles and responsibilities. Many states require job postings to include starting salary and other forms of pay transparency. So even if you do not work in that state, you can benefit by knowing what others are making.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Amy Guisinger: I think that skills related to data analysis are going to be more important in the years to come. As collecting data is getting easier and less costly for firms, companies are looking for people who know how to use the data appropriately. Poor data collection methods and inaccurate models will lead to bad business decisions. These mistakes can be avoided by hiring employees with skills in data analytics and modeling.
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Amy Guisinger: I think it's important at the beginning of your career to learn as much as you can. At this stage, you often have a rare opportunity to interact with many people and departments (even if it is through low-level tasks like dropping off reports). Take advantage of those opportunities by reflecting on what particular people or departments do. Ask yourself what tasks and projects you find the most interesting in your company and find out who is working on those things. Seek out interactions with these people to understand the skills that make them successful. Also, don't be afraid to ask people for a lunch or coffee meeting to discuss their job and seek advice.
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Dr. Darek Nalle: AI and data analytics skills will be crucial for efficiency gains and competitive advantage.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darek Nalle: Attain credentials, focus on completing tasks efficiently, and communicate effectively to build relationships.
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD
Associate Professor of EconomicsCentral Connecticut State University
Economics
What general advice would you give to a Data Modeler?
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD: Critical thinking, strategizing using data insights, creating a strategy for data collection
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD: Take stock of concrete skills: data analysis, coding, any software and make sure you can give a concrete illustration of how you used these in your college career (concrete means a project or internship)
Take stock of intangible skills (eg. communication, critical thinking) and concrete outcomes that have come out of these.
Grades will not determine your long-term prospects, but studies show that a GPA of 3.0 or better is likely to get interviews. So, make sure your grades are competitive
What will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alfredo Rosete PhD: Pay attention to transferable skills that you can leverage for moving up in a company ladder or moving to similar jobs that pay more in different companies. Keep learning new skills that have a broad applicability.
Kristi Yowell
Coordinator & Senior Adjunct Lecturer, Graduate Human Resources Management ProgramWhat will help Data Modelers increase their earning potential?
Kristi Yowell: Data Analysis, Adaptability, Technical Skills.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP®: In the next 3-5 years, I think the finance industry will see a number of opportunities develop for tech savvy graduates. In many areas, incorporating data analytics and understanding how to handle big data will become an important skill. Banks and insurance companies will continue to develop tools for underwriting and credit analysis. Investment firms will begin to utilize the tools of big data to provide clients greater customization at lower costs. Corporations will desire these skills to provide better data for decision making and to help deliver better outcomes for their customers.
Fangjun Sang
Assistant Professor of AccountingUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Accounting And Related Services
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fangjun Sang: Data analytics skills. Specifically, be able to learn new software tools quickly, be able to analyze databases and find patterns or issues from data analysis.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr La Vonne Downey: Data and how to use it. This is already important, but you need to continue to learn about it. The ability to use, understand and present it is already a way that students stand out for jobs and or job opportunities. Also how to communicate with and to people.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Gerberry Ph.D.: Keep in mind one of the greatest virtues of your background is that the critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed in studying mathematics are a unique asset in just about any career. While it is stressful for students to see that very few job postings will say "mathematician," the flexibility to pivot and succeed in many different careers is a major strength.
What Data Modeler skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Bernard Brooks: Obviously AI will be important so being able to feed AI good prompts will be important in entry-level positions. But analyzing data will probably be a major part of your first math job. I know we teach math students to prove theorems and solve calculus problems but realistically no one will pay you to do that. It will all be about statistics and data. You need to be able to analyze math models.