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Data Science Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Data Scientist

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

$174K - $202K/yr

Associate Data Scientist (Niantic, Inc.; Sunnyvale, CA): Analyze and interpret complex datasets to ... Stay up-to-date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in data science and ...

Associate Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$69K - $69K/yr

Quantifind is a data science technology company whose AI platform uncovers signals of risk across ... Associate Data Scientist position on our Data Science team in Palo Alto, California. Our ...

Associate Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA

$69K - $69K/yr

Quantifind is a data science technology company whose AI platform uncovers signals of risk across ... Associate Data Scientist position on our Data Science team in Palo Alto, California. Our ...

Associate Data Scientist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$63K - $64K/yr

The Associate Data Scientist will support analytics and machine learning initiatives, assisting ... Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Operations ...

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Showing results 1-20

Data Science Associate information

See California salary details

$56.7K

$67.1K

$127.3K

How much do data science associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for data science associate in California is $67,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Data Science Associate typically collaborate with other departments or teams within an organization?

Data Science Associates frequently work cross-functionally, partnering with teams such as engineering, product management, and business analytics to understand project requirements, share findings, and implement data-driven solutions. Collaboration often involves translating complex data results into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project goals and deliverables. This role requires strong communication skills, as associates routinely participate in meetings, present analyses, and gather feedback to refine their models or analyses. Effective teamwork helps ensure that data science initiatives support broader business objectives.

Is 40 too late for data science?

Age is not a barrier to becoming a data science associate; many professionals transition into data science later in their careers. Success depends on acquiring relevant skills such as programming, statistics, and machine learning, often through online courses or certifications, regardless of age.

Is an Associates in data science worth it?

An associate's degree in data science can provide foundational skills in data analysis, programming, and statistics, which may help entry-level candidates qualify for junior data science roles. However, many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher, and practical experience or certifications in tools like Python, R, or SQL can enhance job prospects. The value depends on career goals and the specific requirements of potential employers.

What can I do with an associate's degree in data science?

A Data Science Associate with an associate's degree can work as a data analyst, supporting data collection, cleaning, and basic analysis using tools like Excel, SQL, and Python. They often assist in generating reports, visualizations, and insights under supervision, and may pursue certifications to enhance their skills for more advanced roles.

What are Data Science Associates?

Data Science Associates are early-career professionals who support data-driven projects by collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets. They typically work under the guidance of more experienced data scientists and help build predictive models, generate reports, and provide insights to inform business decisions. This role often requires proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, familiarity with statistical methods, and strong problem-solving skills. Data Science Associates play a crucial part in transforming raw data into actionable information for organizations.

What is the role of an associate data scientist?

An associate data scientist supports data analysis and modeling tasks by cleaning and processing data, developing algorithms, and creating visualizations. They often work under supervision to assist in building predictive models and may use tools like Python, R, or SQL to analyze data and generate insights.

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

To thrive as a Data Science Associate, you need strong analytical skills, a solid foundation in statistics and mathematics, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, often supported by a degree in data science, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks, data visualization tools, and database systems such as SQL is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and collaboration skills help you translate complex data insights into actionable business strategies. These skills are vital for extracting meaningful value from data and supporting data-driven decision-making within organizations.

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

AspectData Science AssociateData 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; often no advanced certifications required
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with data scientists and engineers; involved in building models and algorithmsFocuses on data collection, cleaning, and reporting; supports decision-making
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, finance, healthcare, and consulting firms for data-driven projectsCommon across various industries for business insights and reporting

The Data Science Associate role typically involves more technical work like building models and applying machine learning, whereas Data Analysts focus on interpreting data and creating reports. Both roles require strong analytical skills, but Data Science Associates often have a deeper understanding of programming and statistical modeling.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Science jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Science jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Science Associate jobs in California? For Data Science Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Science Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Science Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Data Science Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Science Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Data Science Associate job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,148 per year, or $32.3 per hour.
Research Associate Data Scientist

Research Associate Data Scientist

Cedars Sinai

Los Angeles, CA

$97K - $133K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Cedars-Sinai rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 130 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

34th of 1,004 rated hospitals


Job description

Research Associate Data Scientist (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA): Assist with the development, evaluation, and application of computational and statistical methods, including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and software for the analysis of biomedical data. Assist with the presentation and communication of scientific results through laboratory meetings, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed publications. Create database-to-deployment pipelines for models using the necessary programming languages (primarily Python, R, and C++). Create sustainable data science infrastructure and adheres to data analysis/machine learning best practices. Perform exploratory data analysis to gauge the need for or appropriateness of advanced analytical methods. Work with senior or lead data scientists, research programmers, and principal investigators to identify areas where data science can best be applied to answer biomedical research questions. Test and validate code to ensure robustness of data applications. Perform all other duties as assigned. Participate in the development of innovative algorithms and analytical methods. Participate in the evaluation and interpretation of all analytical methods and results. Participate in the oral and written communication of scientific results including publications.

Minimum requirements: Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Imaging, or related field, plus three (3) years of experience as a Research Associate Data Scientist, Computer Engineer, Biomedical Data Scientist, or related occupation.

Must have experience with the following: Python, C++, and R; developing, testing, validating, and optimizing  production-level, version-controlled code (GitHub/GitLab and Azure DevOps) for algorithm development, statistical analysis, and deployment; implementing supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms (random forests, support vector machines, clustering, deep learning), with hands-on expertise training, fine-tuning, and deploying deep learning models using frameworks (PyTorch and TensorFlow), and adapting these methods to biomedical research problems; building end-to-end database-to-deployment pipelines including querying large relational databases (SQL), data cleaning, model training, validation, and deploying models in multiple computing environments; communicating scientific results effectively through peer-reviewed publications, patents, conference presentations, and internal technical reports; working with medical imaging data, including familiarity with industry-standard imaging formats (DICOM), image preprocessing workflows (segmentation, denoising, registration, resampling, and normalization), and use of imaging software libraries (SimpleITK, MONAI, or NiBabel) to prepare data for machine learning analysis; managing, processing, and optimizing large-scale 3D and 4D time-series datasets for deep learning model development on High-Performance Computing (HPC) or cloud-based GPU clusters.

Salary: $97,510 - $133,100 per year

To Apply: Any interested applicant may click on the APPLY NOW button above to apply for this position. 

Job Req ID: 18558

  • Assists with the development, evaluation, and/or application of computational and statistical methods including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and software for the analysis of biomedical data.
  • Assists with the presentation and communication of scientific results through laboratory meetings, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Creates database-to-deployment pipelines for models using the necessary programming languages (primarily R, Python, SQL, neo4j).
  • Creates sustainable data science infrastructure and adheres to data analysis/machine learning best practices.
  • Performs data cleaning, quality control, and exploratory data analysis to gauge the need for or appropriateness of advanced analytical methods
  • Assists research, senior research, and/or lead research data scientists and principal investigators to identify areas where data science can best be applied to answer biomedical research questions.
  • Tests and validates code to ensure robustness of data applications with version control through GitHub.

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