2161-NOC

Data scientists

(NOC 21211)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$96,146
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
840

Career Overview

Data scientists use advanced analytics technologies, including machine learning and predictive modelling, to support the identification of trends, scrape information from unstructured data sources and provide automated recommendations.  

Duties

In general, data scientists:

  • Implement cutting-edge techniques and tools in machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence to make data analysis more efficient
  • Perform large-scale experimentation to identify hidden relationships between variables in large datasets
  • Create advanced machine learning algorithms such as regression, simulation, scenario analysis, modeling, clustering, decision trees and , neural networks
  • Prepare and extract data using programming language
  • Implement new statistical, machine learning, or other mathematical methodologies to solve specific business problems
  • Visualize data in a way that allows a business to quickly draw conclusions and make decisions
  • Develop artificial intelligence models and algorithms and implement them to meet the needs of the organization
  • Coordinate research and analysis activities using unstructured and structured data and use programming to clean and organize data

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$96,146

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$83.56/hr
Median$46.10/hr
Low$22.67/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,825

% Employed Full Time

70%
Source: 2021 Census

They work for consulting firms, universities, banks and information technology departments in the private and public sectors.

Career Pathways

Career pathways is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Conventional
Conventional

Job Titles

Data scientist
Machine learning engineer
Machine learning specialist
Quantitative analyst

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, computer systems engineering or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required
  • A master's or doctoral degree in machine learning, data science, or a related quantitative field is usually required
  • Experience in programming is usually required
  • Experience in statistical modelling or machine learning is usually required

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Computer Information Systems/Science
  • Math/Statistics Related (Arts)
  • Computing Science/Systems Related
  • Math/Statistics (Science)
  • Information Technology Management
  • Web Technologies
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

72%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

71%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

68%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

66%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

65%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

64%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

63%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

61%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

60%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

58%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,825
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 1,615 88.5%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 50 2.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 155 8.5%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

840
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 750 2.4%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 30 4.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 60 2.1%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services650
Finance, Insurance And Real Estate50
Information, Culture And Recreation30
Public Administration20
Retail Trade20
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.