Jobs Similar to Data Scientists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to data scientists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Statisticians, Mathematicians and Biostatisticians.
Data Scientists: $120,230 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Data Scientists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | StatisticiansSame group | 84% | $105,650−12% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | MathematiciansSame group | 81% | $126,710+5% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | BiostatisticiansSame group | 81% | $105,650Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | 81% | $81,100Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Bioinformatics TechniciansSame group | 80% | $81,490Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Data Warehousing Specialists | 80% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Database Architects | 80% | $139,500+16% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 79% | $140,300+17% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Business Intelligence AnalystsSame group | 79% | $120,230Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Operations Research AnalystsSame group | 79% | $88,940−26% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Web Developers | 78% | $92,650−23% | Training or associate |
| 12 | Statistical Assistants | 78% | $50,330−58% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Blockchain Engineers | 77% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Computer Programmers | 77% | $100,390−17% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Bioinformatics Scientists | 77% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Physicists | 76% | $172,250+43% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Social Science Research Assistants | 76% | $61,990−48% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Survey Researchers | 76% | $69,460−42% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Software Developers | 75% | $135,980+13% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Economists | 75% | $124,720+4% | Graduate degree |
- 1Statisticians
84% similar · $105,650 (−12%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Mathematicians
81% similar · $126,710 (+5%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Biostatisticians
81% similar · $105,650 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Financial Quantitative Analysts
81% similar · $81,100 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 5Bioinformatics Technicians
80% similar · $81,490 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Data Warehousing Specialists
80% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 7Database Architects
80% similar · $139,500 (+16%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Computer and Information Research Scientists
79% similar · $140,300 (+17%) · Graduate degree
- 9Business Intelligence Analysts
79% similar · $120,230 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Operations Research Analysts
79% similar · $88,940 (−26%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Web Developers
78% similar · $92,650 (−23%) · Training or associate
- 12Statistical Assistants
78% similar · $50,330 (−58%) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Blockchain Engineers
77% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Computer Programmers
77% similar · $100,390 (−17%) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Bioinformatics Scientists
77% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 16Physicists
76% similar · $172,250 (+43%) · Graduate degree
- 17Social Science Research Assistants
76% similar · $61,990 (−48%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Survey Researchers
76% similar · $69,460 (−42%) · Graduate degree
- 19Software Developers
75% similar · $135,980 (+13%) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Economists
75% similar · $124,720 (+4%) · Graduate degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than data scientists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for data scientists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where data scientists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Financial Quantitative Analysts (88)
- Statistical Assistants (88)
- Data Warehousing Specialists (87)
- Social Science Research Assistants (86)
- Database Architects (85)
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists (84)
- Bioinformatics Scientists (84)
- Computer and Information Research Scientists (84)
- Survey Researchers (83)
- Computer Programmers (81)
Questions about jobs like data scientists
What jobs are most similar to data scientists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Statisticians (84% similar), Mathematicians (81% similar), Biostatisticians (81% similar), Financial Quantitative Analysts (81% similar) and Bioinformatics Technicians (80% similar).
Which jobs like data scientists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Physicists ($172,250, +43%; usually a graduate degree), Computer and Information Research Scientists ($140,300, +17%; usually a graduate degree) and Database Architects ($139,500, +16%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with data scientists ($120,230). Without more preparation than data scientists usually need: Database Architects and Software Developers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.