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Associate Data Scientist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Associate, Data Scientist Data is at the center of everything we do. As a startup, we disrupted the credit card industry by individually personalizing every credit card offer using statistical ...

Associate Data Scientist

Arlington, VA

$67K - $68K/yr

Data Scientists at the SEI use advanced statistics, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to help our government and industry clients research and solve cybersecurity ...

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Associate Data Scientist information

See Virginia salary details

$57K

$67.5K

$127.9K

How much do associate data scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate data scientist in Virginia is $67,455.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $59,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Data Scientist vs Data Analyst?

AspectAssociate Data ScientistData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, or related field; some roles prefer certifications in data analysis or programmingBachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or related field; certifications like Microsoft Excel or Tableau are common
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with data science teams, develops models, and analyzes complex datasetsPrepares reports, visualizes data, and provides insights for decision-making
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, finance, healthcare, and consulting firms focusing on predictive modelingCommon across various industries for business reporting and operational analysis

The Associate Data Scientist typically focuses on building models and advanced analytics, requiring programming skills and statistical knowledge. Data Analysts mainly interpret data through reports and visualizations, often with less emphasis on coding. Both roles are essential in data-driven organizations but differ in technical depth and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Data Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Data Scientist, you need strong analytical skills, a solid foundation in statistics, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, typically supported by a degree in a quantitative field. Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau), machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit-learn), and database systems (e.g., SQL) is often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for translating data insights into actionable business solutions. These skills and qualities are essential for extracting valuable insights from complex data and driving data-informed decision-making within organizations.

What does an Associate Data Scientist do?

An Associate Data Scientist supports data-driven decision-making by collecting, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets. They use statistical methods and programming languages like Python or R to identify trends, build predictive models, and generate insights for business problems. Working under the guidance of more experienced data scientists, they also help visualize data and communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. This entry-level role often involves learning new tools and techniques while contributing to real-world projects.

What are some typical projects an Associate Data Scientist might work on, and how do they collaborate with other team members?

As an Associate Data Scientist, you can expect to contribute to a range of projects such as developing predictive models, analyzing large datasets to uncover business insights, and supporting the deployment of machine learning solutions. Collaboration is key; you'll often work closely with data engineers to prepare and process data, as well as with business analysts and product managers to align your findings with organizational goals. Regular meetings, code reviews, and knowledge-sharing sessions are common, providing opportunities to learn from senior data scientists and broaden your technical skills.

What Does an Associate Data Scientist Do?

The duties of an associate data scientist are to analyze statistical data analysis on large sets and identify trends by using advanced mathematical and computer science skills. Their responsibilities often include assisting in the production of statistical models, tools, and processes. They typically are in the process of pursuing a master’s degree and report to a senior data scientist. The qualifications you need are a bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, or a related field as well as experience working with machine-learning and data mining algorithms.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Scientist jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Data Scientist jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Associate Data Scientist jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Associate Data Scientist job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Data Scientist jobs in VA? For Associate Data Scientist jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Associate Data Scientist job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 76% In-person, 12% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,455 per year, or $32.4 per hour.

$68K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

Job Summary:
Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute is seeking an Associate Data Scientist to leverage advanced statistics and machine learning in addressing cybersecurity challenges for government and industry clients. The role involves collaborating with elite professionals to develop prototype solutions, conduct research, and present findings at conferences.
Responsibilities:
• Identify areas where advanced statistical techniques can help tackle problems.
• Plan and develop prototype solutions.
• Build out final products.
• Co-author research proposals.
• Execute studies and present findings to DoW sponsors and at academic conferences.
Qualifications:
Required:
• BS in data science, machine learning, computer science, statistics, or related highly-quantitative discipline with three (3) years of experience or equivalent combination of training or experience; or MS in data science, machine learning, computer science, statistics, or related highly-quantitative discipline with one (1) year of experience; or PhD in data science, machine learning, computer science, statistics, or related highly-quantitative discipline.
• Willingness to complete modest travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission.
• You will be subject to a background check and must be able obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of War security clearance.
• Experience in predictive modeling, data science, and/or AI & machine learning
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling techniques and advanced data analytics
• Proficient with at least one mathematical/statistical programming package (e.g., R, python numpy/scipy/pandas/polars, MATLAB, etc.)
• Innovative and inquisitive with ability to imagine novel analytical solutions to problems Thrives in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Strong communication skills
• Expertise in one or more of the following: Recommendation systems, Time-series forecasting (Prophet, NeuralProphet, Chronos, Lag-Llama, etc.), NLP / LLMs (fine-tuning, RAG, evaluation, prompt engineering), Causal inference / uplift modeling / synthetic controls, Modern ML frameworks: LightGBM/XGBoost, CatBoost, PyTorch,JAX, TensorFlow), LLMs / agentic workflows (LangChain/LlamaIndex/Haystack), Experience deploying models (FastAPI, Triton, KServe, SageMaker, Vertex AI, or similar), Experience working with big data (Spark, Trino, Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks)
Preferred:
• Experience in cybersecurity and privacy is a plus
• Experience in U.S. Government work and/or with FFRDCs, UARCs an National Labs is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to learn new concepts and grow into new areas of work
Company:
We conduct cutting-edge research and development that accelerates the transition of technology to the Department of War (DoW), delivering measurable impact in support of the national security mission. Founded in 1984, the company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, USA, with a team of 501-1000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.