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Boston Career Explorer

Computer and Mathematical

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Also called: Business Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst (BI Analyst), Business Intelligence Consultant (BI Consultant), Business Intelligence Coordinator (BI Coordinator), Business Intelligence Specialist (BI Specialist), Competitive Intelligence Analyst

Median pay in Greater Boston
$132,040
$63.48/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
7,930
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+25.7%
860 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$82,030$102,720$132,040$166,120$206,220

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
  • Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
  • Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.
  • Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
  • Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.
  • Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure90 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • GPTs-are-GPTs 90

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

Data scientists already use AI tools a lot, and AI exposure for this job is higher than for most. Tools can help clean and process large datasets, draft charts, and speed up model building. People still choose the questions, check that models give sound results, and explain findings to decision makers. Massachusetts is projected to add jobs as more data gets collected.

Likely to change

  • Processing and cleaning large datasets
  • Building first drafts of charts and visuals

Still relies on people

  • Testing whether models are accurate and fair
  • Explaining results and advising stakeholders

What federal projections say

“Demand change - share increases as larger amounts of digital and electronic data are collected over the projections decade. Businesses in all industries will hire data scientists to analyze data to help improve business processes and design and develop new products.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

114 programs near Boston (plus 126 graduate)

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