Occupation
Data scientist
Data scientists use statistics and programming to answer questions that simple reporting cannot, such as predicting an outcome or estimating the effect of a change. They frame the problem, build and validate a model, and communicate how much confidence the result actually deserves.
Also known as: Applied statistician · Quantitative analyst · Research data scientist
Occupation content
Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity
What the work involves
- Translate a business question into a statistical or modelling problem
- Explore and prepare datasets, checking distributions and missing values
- Build, train, and validate models against held-out data
- Design and evaluate experiments such as controlled comparisons
- Present results and their uncertainty to non-specialist audiences
How people commonly enter
- A degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a quantitative science
- A postgraduate qualification in data science, statistics, or a research discipline
- A data science or artificial intelligence apprenticeship with an employer
- Progression from a data analyst or research role after building modelling skills
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Pathways: Apprenticeship route
Typical work context
Desk based · Quiet focus · Team based · Remote capable · Hybrid office
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing) · Realistic (hands-on)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Information technology, data and cybersecurity.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists · United States
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- O*NET OnLine — Data Scientists (15-2051.00) · International
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- UK National Careers Service — Data scientist · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Information technology, data and cybersecurity in Canada, not a figure for Data scientist. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Information technology, data and cybersecurity family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways
Some roles in Information technology, data and cybersecurity may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)