In recent years, the global focus on data has increased rapidly leading to significant growth in the field of data science. If you have graduated from a data science course, you may be curious to know how much you can earn in this industry. The good news is a career in data science earns you an above average salary depending on the role and your experience.
A data science job is one of the most sought-after careers, offering good salaries and security. As the world continues to move closer to advanced digitalisation in almost every industry, there is an increased demand for data science professionals. So, what do the salaries look like in the field of data science and what factors influence them?
What is Data Science?
Data science is the study of large amounts of structured and unstructured data to find hidden patterns of consumer behaviour and derive useful information. The information obtained through the careful study of data is a useful guide in making business decisions and market strategies. AI and Machine Learning models are incorporated by data science professionals to create models and discover patterns.
The field of data science is vast and offers a pathway to a world of opportunities in different sectors. A data science degree opens the door to careers such as data scientist, data engineer, data analyst, data visualiser, data architect and machine learning engineer. These careers each cover a significant step in the data extraction process.
Factors that influence data science salaries
A data science professional adds undisputed value to any business or organisation. That’s why data science graduates are offered industry-leading salaries in the hiring process. However, the following factors can determine the pay scale of a data science professional.
Education Level
Education level is one of the most important factors that determines a data scientist’s salary.
Data science requires a number of hard and soft skills that are learned during a data science degree. Graduates with a master’s degree in data science will possess essential skills that will help them go far in the industry.
Your level of education will also determine how much you earn. A salary with a data science degree typically starts at around €62,000 for undergraduates, while those with advanced degrees could earn up to €85,000.
Experience
Another important factor is a professional’s level of experience.
Data scientist salary growth means that professionals with more than 10 years’ experience typically earn higher salaries. This is because experienced data scientists possess new skills that make them highly sought-after.
Roles
There are a number of different roles available to data science graduates. Some data scientists work on more technical issues such as AI, machine learning and databases, while others deal with business-related issues.
Depending on the role, the salary of a data scientist can be different, as those who specialise in technical issues can command a slightly higher salary.
Location
Certain countries have a higher demand for data scientists, so may offer a higher salary.
For example, the United States has a high demand for data scientists, so salaries can be higher on average.
For data science salary in Europe, companies typically offer between €48,000 and €100,000 depending on expertise and experience.
Tools
Data scientists use a number of tools in their profession, and expertise in a certain tool may influence salary.
The most popular tool in data science is Python, so an expert in Python can expect to earn a higher salary than those with expertise in other tools.
Whatever the conditions are, a data science degree is valuable and earns you more than most professions.
Data Science Salaries and Growth in 2026
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an entry-level data scientist is €62,728 with an additional cash compensation ranging from €840 – €8,050. The salary trajectory changes with the amount of experience a professional has. So, a senior data scientist earns around €83,008 and a lead data scientist earns €94,173 a year.
Data skills are relevant and important in most industries from small-scale start-ups to multinational corporations (MNC). Statistics show that a master’s in data science earns you more than a bachelor’s in data science and with each year of additional experience, the salary increases. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), a postgraduate in data science earns a professional 17% more in terms of salary than an undergraduate degree.
How much does a data science professional earn?
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an entry level data scientist is €62,728 with an additional cash compensation ranging from €840 – €8,050. The salary trajectory changes with the amount of experience a professional has. So, a senior data scientist earns around €83,008 and a lead data scientist earns €94,173 a year.
Data skills are relevant and important in most industries from small-scale start-ups to multinational corporations (MNC). Statistics show that a master’s in data science earns you more than a bachelor’s in data science and with each year of additional experience, the salary increases. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), a postgraduate in data science earns a professional 17% more in terms of salary than an undergraduate degree.
Starting Salaries in Data Science
The starting salary for a junior data scientist in Germany is just under €48,000 a year, although this can often be higher.
Senior data scientists can earn a starting salary of up to €130,000 a year.
As with any other industry, the starting salaries of data scientists can be influenced by a number of factors including the industry and the size of the company. However, salary will increase continuously as more experience is gained.
Top Industries Offering the Highest Salary with a Data Science Degree
A data science salary depends largely on the type of industry a person is employed in. A data scientist in an MNC like Google, PwC or Meta earns significantly more than others. According to a report published by the World Economic Forum, the information and communication technology sector employs the highest number of data science professionals and pays the highest average salaries. This is followed by information technology, insurance, financial services and the media industry.
Employees in data science are concentrated more in the IT industry due to the amount of data that needs to be processed every day. Both public and private sectors require data science graduates to perform analysis and gather useful information.
Scope of Data Science
The pandemic boosted the digital transformation of companies and made them increasingly data reliant. By the end of the pandemic, companies that were not data-centric were unable to compete. Consumer engagement patterns became a necessity to stay ahead and increased the scope of data science professionals.
According to BLS, employment in the data science field will grow by 31% in the next decade. Reports suggest that data analysts and scientists are the types of job roles business organisations are looking to hire in the coming years. Data science is booming with each passing year and the gap continues to grow between the demand and supply which makes now the perfect time to pursue a data science degree.
How Skills and Specialisation Affect Data Science Salaries?
The average data science salary in Europe can be influenced by a number of factors, but two of the most important are skills and specialisation.
A successful career in data science requires several hard and soft skills, including programming knowledge, communication and collaboration, while your salary can also be influenced by your specialisation. For example, data scientists who specialise in technical aspects like machine learning can earn a higher average salary.
A study conducted by leading recruitment firm, Burtch Works, shows that a large percentage of data science professionals have advanced degrees. Pursuing a Master’s in Data Science programme from the University of Europe for Applied Sciences can help you land a lucrative career in data science.
The programme will help you learn the in-demand skills to build a career in the data science field. Students also have the option to choose relevant electives such as game design, UI/UX design and digital media communication, which are useful in today’s global job market.
Data Science Salary and Career Paths
The field of data science is vast and offers a pathway to a world of opportunities in different sectors. A data science degree opens the door to careers such as data scientist, data engineer, data analyst, data visualiser, data architect and machine learning engineer. These careers each cover a significant step in the data extraction process.
A career in data science also offers a strong salary. Your salary with a data science degree can vary based on your career path, but an average data science salary in Europe can range from around €35,000 to €85,000 a year.
Conclusion
Data scientists are in high demand around the world and can command a large salary.
How much you earn as a data scientist depends on several factors, including your experience level, specialisation and the industry and company you work for.
Data scientists who possess the relevant hard and soft skills will be in high demand, so completing a master’s degree is the best choice if you’re looking for a high-salaried role.
A master’s degree in data science at UE Germany will provide you with the skillset and hands-on experience required for a long and successful career in data science.
To learn more about how our master’s degree can take your career to the next level, contact us today.