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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE →

Data Scientist

Computer analysts and scientists play a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of the UK and beyond, driving innovation and efficiency in every sector from healthcare to finance. Their expertise in analyzing complex data systems and developing cutting-edge software solutions not only enhances business performance but also contributes to solving global challenges.

Data Scientist

65

Computer Science

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO65%moving to95%
THE DOOR, NOWC
THE DOOR, 20 YRSE
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £36,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
This work is being absorbed by AI
AI already does much of this work and nothing structurally requires a human: no licence, no physical task, no relationship at the core. Expect fewer people in higher-judgment roles: enter as the person directing the tools, not competing with them.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Data ScientistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in data collection and analysis, gaining hands-on experience with data tools and methodologies.£30,000 - £36,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Data ScientistAt this stage, you will lead projects, develop complex models, and mentor junior team members, contributing significantly to data-driven strategies.£45,000 - £55,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Data Scientist/Head of DataIn a senior role, you will oversee data strategy, manage teams, and drive innovation, playing a key role in shaping the organisation's data vision.£70,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.

AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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