Data science is changing rapidly. Emerging and evolving technologies like cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) augment the work of data scientists, making it easier for them to process large data sets. Alongside these advances, the rise of cyber threats increasingly requires data scientists to familiarize themselves with cybersecurity tools and techniques.
Active and aspiring data scientists must stay current with industry trends and master the skills employers seek to capitalize on emerging career opportunities. This article explores data science hiring trends and lists the projected top data science roles available in 2025. It also explains how a master’s degree, like the online Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) from Tufts University, can help you prepare for the most sought-after job opportunities.
Explore In-Demand Data Science Jobs
Data scientists collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data to help drive organizational decision-making. Data science has remained an attractive career choice for over a decade and ranks in the top ten on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best jobs in 2024.
The field delivers varied job opportunities across industries and functions. The availability of roles varies based on geography; all the jobs listed below are expected to grow and command attractive salaries in 2025.
Data Scientist in Healthcare Analytics
Big data is revolutionizing the healthcare industry, accelerating medical research, assisting with disease detection, and making clinical trials more inclusive. Data scientists (often called health informaticists in healthcare) are essential in driving these innovations. They help healthcare providers make sense of and extract value from the vast amounts of data they collect and store. Healthcare data scientists’ responsibilities include:
● Organizing datasets from various databases
● Finding patterns and trends through analysis
● Sharing findings with company stakeholders
An analysis of U.S. job postings for healthcare data scientists shows hiring managers typically seek statistics, R, machine learning, storytelling, and Python skills. Furthermore, almost 40 percent of job postings analyzed required a master’s degree or higher. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), data scientists earn a median yearly income of $108,020. Those working in scientific research and development earn $126,430 annually, on average.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
AI continues to revolutionize various industries, from retail to finance, manufacturing, and healthcare. Grand View Research predicts the global AI market to grow by 37 percent between 2023 and 2030. The World Economic Forum projects that AI could create 97 million new jobs by 2025.
At the forefront of innovation, AI engineers develop, program, and train the algorithms that propel AI. AI engineers need technical and soft skills; they possess extensive knowledge of statistics, demonstrate adept programming skills, and understand algorithms and applied mathematics. Their job also requires excellent communication and critical thinking skills.
Most AI engineers have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to AI, like data science or computer science. Many also have a master’s degree in data science, mathematics, or computer science. According to Payscale, employees with artificial intelligence skills earn an average salary of $135,000; machine learning engineers earn an average salary of $126,690.
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Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybercrime poses significant threats to all computer users, particularly companies and institutions that steward sensitive private information. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime will cost companies $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 worldwide. A single data breach costs an average of $9.44 million.
Businesses increasingly prioritize cybersecurity, creating strong demand for cybersecurity and information security analysts. Cybersecurity analysts plan and implement security measures to protect their organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities typically include:
● Monitoring networks for security breaches
● Maintaining software to protect sensitive information
● Developing security standards and best practices
Cybersecurity analysts need a robust data science foundation to identify and analyze cyber vulnerabilities effectively. According to the BLS, information security analysts earn a median yearly income of $120,360. Those in the top ten percent of the profession can earn more than $182,370 annually.
Data Architect
Data architecture describes the management of a company’s data from collection to transformation, distribution, and consumption. A well-designed data architecture enables a business to develop effective data analysis platforms that deliver valuable insights to improve strategic planning and decision-making.
Data architects build and maintain an organization’s enterprise data management framework or data architecture. According to Payscale, data architects earn an average annual salary of $132,548. Their duties include:
● Translating business requirements into technical specifications
● Defining data architecture frameworks and standards
● Defining data flows
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business intelligence (BI) analysts help businesses extract value from their data. BI analysts identify valuable trends and insights through data analytics, data visualization, and data modeling techniques and technologies and then present their findings to business stakeholders. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, BI analysts earn a median annual income of $103,500.
BI analysts’ day-to-day responsibilities include:
● Data analysis
● Creating business intelligence tools or systems
● Generating standard or custom reports summarizing business data
What Background Do You Need for a Career in Data Science?
Success in data science requires a combination of technical and soft skills. Data scientists acquire skills in statistics, programming languages, data analysis, big data, machine learning, and AI. Due to the technical proficiency required, most data science roles require a bachelor’s degree at a minimum. Many advanced roles require, or strongly prefer, candidates with a master’s degree.
Data scientists need soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Enrolling in a master’s program, like Tufts University’s online MSDS, can help you develop or enhance your technical and soft skills for a successful data science career. It also builds the lifelong learning skills necessary to stay current in this rapidly changing field.
How Tufts Helps You Prepare for Your Next Data Science Role
Tufts’ online data science program prepares students for advanced data science roles. The 100 percent online curriculum develops skills in big data, machine learning, statistics, AI, and security. Students learn to:
● Formulate specific, complex problems using data science tools and practices
● Collect, interpret, and organize data to draw conclusions
● Apply data analysis techniques to determine solutions
● Evaluate solutions to identify risks and potential errors
As a Tufts online MSDS student, you take the same courses (taught by the same faculty members) as on-campus students. You’ll engage and collaborate with faculty and peers during interactive online classes and virtual office hours. You’ll also complete self-paced, asynchronous coursework each week, benefitting from the flexibility to study when and where you prefer.
Start the Journey Toward Your Data Science Career Today
The growing reliance of businesses on data is fueling demand for qualified data scientists. However, you need advanced skills to qualify for the most attractive, high-growth job opportunities. The online MSDS from Tufts offers a pathway to acquire the expertise necessary to accelerate your career.
Are you ready to take the first step toward an exciting career in data science? Request a one-on-one appointment with an enrollment advisor to learn more about the Tufts online MSDS or review the admissions guidelines and start your application today.
Interested in data science but don’t have prior experience? Explore our post-baccalaureate certificate program.