From Fortune:

Data scientists and data analysts are growing at faster rates than almost any other occupations. CompTIA predicted a 5.5% growth for data scientists and data analysts in 2023, faster than jobs in fields like cybersecurity and software development. Over the next decade, employment in these fields is expected to grow at a rate of 266%.

Data scientists work with programming and algorithmic tools to make future predictions, such as running “A/B tests” to see how purchase likelihood is affected by various factors. They earn six-figure salaries, averaging around $103,500 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but Dice predicts a higher number at $117,241.

Data analysts organize and present data using well-established tools and processes and are experts in data mining and various data visualization tools. They earn an annual salary of about $81,000, according to Dice.

Both data scientists and data analysts are experts in areas of statistics, mathematics, and computer science. Data scientists are equipped to predict advanced statistical or computational outcomes and are more knowledgeable of AI and machine learning. Data analysts are skilled at expressing trends visually.

On average, data scientists tend to earn more than data analysts, but compensation depends heavily on experience level, educational background, and industry of employment. Both professionals are likely to be effective communicators, collaborators, and problem solvers, making their expertise essential as data continues to become an ubiquitous part of society.



Read more: What is the difference between a data scientist and data analyst?