15 of the Best Types of Data Scientist Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Data Scientist jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Data Scientist Jobs

• Entry Level Data Scientist

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  To become an entry-level data scientist, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as information technology, mathematics, computer science, or physics. Some universities also offer specialized degrees in data science. Employers tend to prefer applicants who have a master’s degree or higher in their field. Since you can work in numerous industries, such as physics, health care, or business, having some experience in your intended field can also be beneficial. Additional qualifications include excellent organizational, analytical problem-solving, and communication skills, along with mathematical proficiency and attention to detail. You may also need knowledge of different programming languages, data mining experience, and an understanding of operations research and machine-learning.

• Data Scientist Internship

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  To get a data scientist internship, you must either be pursuing a degree in data science, applied math, or computer science or have recently completed a degree in a related area. To qualify for an intern position, you need to have a strong background in math, and you must understand programming languages like Python, Java, and C++. As an intern, you need to be able to follow directions and learn new concepts rapidly. Additional qualifications include excellent grades, strong communication skills, an understanding of algorithms, and extensive knowledge of statistical and predictive modeling concepts.

• Data Scientist Apprentice

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  Data Scientist Apprentice is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Data Scientist Apprentice jobs pay between $133,500 (25th percentile) and $170,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Data Scientist Apprentice job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Manager Data Scientist

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Union Data Scientist

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Executive Data Scientist

  Salary range: $133,500 - $170,000

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Senior Data Scientist

  Salary range: $118,500 - $166,500

  A senior data scientist does complex data analysis. Job duties include gathering data and writing reports that can help people make decisions. In some cases, they may offer machine learning which is a way to help computers process and understand data. A senior data scientist may also be asked to formulate an algorithm to solve work problems. You need statistics and programming knowledge to be successful in this career.

• Freelance Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  While many professionals are drawn to the high-pay and flexible hours of this job, becoming a freelance data scientist can be a lengthy process. Employers who want to hire freelance data scientists for an individual project prefer you to have experience working for reputable companies or on big projects. Your first step in becoming a freelance data scientist is to gain as much experience as possible. Start with a freelancer profile online and know that you may need to take some low-paying jobs to build your portfolio and network. Next, make your work visible. Many freelance data scientists post their work on a blog or GitHub, or submit their findings to magazines for publishing. To help solidify your portfolio, you may want to participate in Kaggle or DrivenData, which host data science competitions.

• Junior Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  Junior Data Scientist is a common job search query. Most salaries for Junior Data Scientist jobs pay between $98,500 (25th percentile) and $136,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Data Scientist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Data Scientist Trainee

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Director Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Per Diem Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• 3Rd Shift Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  The 3rd Shift is a work shift that covers overnight hours, roughly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., for businesses that are open or require staff 24 hours a day. There are tradeoffs for people who work these hours. Those who work this shift find that they work when others sleep, and vice versa. While this can be hard, perks can include a lack of traffic en route to work and pay incentives. Some people also work the 3rd shift to be able to hold a second job or to be available to care for their children during the day.

• Full Time Data Scientist

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Data Scientist From Home

  Salary range: $98,500 - $136,000

  Data Scientist From Home is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Data Scientist From Home jobs pay between $98,500 (25th percentile) and $136,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Data Scientist From Home job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.