Data scientist vs scientist

The differences between data scientists and scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a data scientist and a scientist. Additionally, a data scientist has an average salary of $106,104, which is higher than the $97,344 average annual salary of a scientist.

The top three skills for a data scientist include python, data science and visualization. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Data scientist vs scientist overview

	Data Scientist	Scientist
Yearly salary	$106,104	$97,344
Hourly rate	$51.01	$46.80
Growth rate	16%	17%
Number of jobs	106,973	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a data scientist do?

A Data Scientist analyzes information from multiple sources in order to gain maximum insight that can give the company a competitive advantage. They work in different domains, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and finance.

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

Data scientist vs scientist salary

Data scientists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Scientist	Scientist
Average salary	$106,104	$97,344
Salary range	Between $75,000 And $148,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	Richmond, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	The Citadel	Airbnb
Best paying industry	Start-up	Technology

Differences between data scientist and scientist education

There are a few differences between a data scientist and a scientist in terms of educational background:

	Data Scientist	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Computer Science	Chemistry
Most common college	Columbia University in the City of New York	University of Southern California

Data scientist vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between data scientists' and scientists' demographics:

	Data Scientist	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 18.8% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between data scientist and scientist duties and responsibilities

Data scientist example responsibilities.

Update, maintain, and manage regional CRM database and records for customers, vendors, and suppliers.
Configure and manage JobScope ERP system for a make-to-order/make-to-stock design and manufacturing environment.
Lead the analysis in SAS for data integration of mortality data using meta-analysis integration methods.
Implement a proximal stochastic gradient descent with a line search to fit a regularize logistic regression in Scala
Perform cross-validation-test on linear regression model of data using scikit-learn.
Develop python base statistical visualization to provide insights of fuzzy social media data.

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Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

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Data scientist vs scientist skills

Common data scientist skills

Python, 13%
Data Science, 10%
Visualization, 5%
Java, 4%
Hadoop, 4%
Tableau, 3%

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

Data Scientist vs. similar jobs

Data Scientist related careers

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Data Scientist jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

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