Cheeky Logo
Ready To Transition Into Industry?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

The PhD’s Guide To Picking The Best Industry Data Scientist Jobs

When I started the long road toward my doctorate, I never would have put “PhD” and “unemployed” in the same sentence. 

Nevertheless, that’s the reality 60% of all PhDs will face at some point in their career.

You might even be living (or soon facing) that reality right now.

With more universities scaling back in-person classes in favor of virtual learning, you can expect those secure full-time professorship jobs to grow fewer by the day, too.

Why offer a tenured position when you can just hire low-paid adjuncts – especially with online courses becoming the norm?

Fortunately, PhDs in data science face a particularly bright industry future, at least compared to other fields. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects computer and information research roles like data science to grow by 15% before 2030. 

Oh, and median wages? Over $122 thousand per year – plus benefits, of course (not to mention the feeling you get from meaningful and well-compensated work).

In fact, it’s all about big data right now. Every company is scrambling to find the best and brightest for roles like business intelligence, analysis, machine learning, and so much more.

Hint: That’s you!

But what are the best data scientist jobs anyways? How do you know which roles are the most secure, rewarding, and well-compensated? 

Let’s take a look.

5 Of The Best Data Scientist Jobs For Finding Your Place In Industry

Here’s the cool thing about data science: almost every industry needs data scientists, they have data scientist jobs. And companies don’t want just any data scientist. They want data scientists with at least a master’s degree. 

Once you find a role that fits your background and interests, you can start building any missing skills or experience.

1. Machine Learning Engineer

Average base salary: $114,121

Companies in just about any industry you can imagine are hiring machine learning engineers and scientists – social media companies, tech giants, communication, government contractors, video games, entertainment, etc. 

You’d create data funnels, algorithms, and software programs to carry everything out. Machine learning engineers or scientists also organize ongoing tests to improve the algorithms and consistently research fresh approaches. 

2. Business Intelligence Analyst or Developer

Average base salary: $81,514

Companies across all industries are also hiring data scientists to help them develop and improve internal business processes. The biggest companies today operate globally. Global business requires macro and micro data infrastructure to make sure everything runs without a hitch: supply chains, logistics, interdepartmental communication, IT security, etc.

Not only that, but businesses need data scientists to help them research and optimize solutions for streamlining the customer experience and how each department interacts with customers. 

In other words, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to find your place in business intelligence as a data scientist. 

3. Data Modeler

Average base salary: $78,548 – with some positions starting at $100,000+

Every company today has more data than they know what to do with – literally. Shareholders and C-level managers are not data scientists. In other words, they need someone to transform their raw data into digestible visualizations. 

Marketing trends, predictive analytics, churn rates, sales figures, audience demographics, sales trends, etc. You’ll need a decent background in programming and statistics, but choosing an industry specialization can put you on an excellent long-term trajectory as a PhD.

4. Database Developer

Average base salary: $73,506 – with many positions starting at $100,000+

Remember, average salary positions usually apply to applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. With the right approach and skills, your PhD gives you leverage to reach for the higher paid positions or negotiate higher salaries than what’s listed.

As a database developer, your job is essentially to make a business’s data more efficient. Most businesses struggle with clunky data systems, siloed data, and tons of other data management issues. 

You’d find new ways to securely integrate data across departments, make data more accessible, program new data systems, clean up poor coding, run tests, and fix problems as they arise. The data developer role can be extremely frustrating for some people, but if you like a constant challenge, you’ll find the role rewarding.

5. Infrastructure Architect 

Average base salary: $107,309 – some starting at over $140,000

Infrastructure architects – or cloud infrastructure architects – have an important high-level job to do. You put your skills to work ensuring that an entire business’s system is running efficiently and ready to take on new technology. 

This is one of the best data scientist jobs for PhDs because it provides a level of independence you’ll appreciate. Plus, you get to put your research skills to work finding new solutions to problems as they pop up. (The salary and bonuses aren’t bad either.)

Land The Best Data Scientist Jobs With The Right Skills And Approach

One problem. Most companies hiring PhD-level data scientist positions want at least three years of industry experience. 

You have a few options. First, you could start at a lower-level (yet still well-paying) role to prove yourself and work your way up. Second, you can shoot your shot with the right resume, transferable skills, and networking.

Remember, these companies are scrambling and competing with each other to hire the best data scientists available – from around the world! Data science is the new space race when you consider AI development.

You deserve the best, so why not go for it now? Without industry experience, you want to start strong:

  • A concise and digestible resume designed for the role in question and your relevant experience.
  • Transferable skills as they apply to the role – like teamwork, delegating, project management, etc.
  • A comprehensive and active network of other data science PhDs and industry workers at all levels within your field. 
  • Interpersonal skills to carry your personality via your resume, networking interactions, and social media.
  • Develop any additional professional skills relevant to the role that you haven’t developed in your research or coursework. Take courses and internship projects for experience if you have to.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT ISAIAH HANKEL, PHD

CEO, CHEEKY SCIENTIST & SUCCESS MENTOR TO PHDS

Dr. Isaiah Hankel is the Founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His articles, podcasts and trainings are consumed annually by 3 million PhDs in 152 different countries. He has helped PhDs transition into top companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, Tesla, Syngenta, the CDC, UN and Ford Foundation.

Dr. Hankel has published two bestselling books with Wiley and his methods for getting PhDs hired have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Nature, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine and Success Magazine.

Isaiah About Photo

Similar Articles

6 Rewarding Careers In Research Policy, Funding & Government

6 Rewarding Careers In Research Policy, Funding & Government

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

An indomitable spirit is a rare quality, but not among PhDs. Perseverance is a prerequisite that comes standard with every doctorate.  It seems like there’s no shortage of things that can stand in the way when you’re pursuing a terminal degree. Yet I’ve only met a handful of PhDs who weren’t cut out for the hardships of academia. They made it past the gauntlet of frustrating academic advisors, endless hours in the lab, and year upon year of compounding stress. But there are some things that arise that you simply can’t prepare yourself to push through. Sometimes life happens. PhDs…

5 Miscalculations That Are Holding You Hostage In Academia

5 Miscalculations That Are Holding You Hostage In Academia

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

As a PhD student, I felt more and more lost the closer I came to graduation. That’s because I had started to doubt that I knew what I wanted anymore. You could say I was torn, but that would be an understatement. I was absolutely wracked with indecision. My original plan had been to continue on in academia.  I was going to apply for a postdoc.  Then on to Assistant Professor.  And so on. However, I was starting to see a real pattern emerge among the PhD graduates I knew. I liked to check in periodically with those colleagues and…

Best Of Transition: Ph.D. Jobs & Job Search Strategies January 7, 2023

Best Of Transition: Ph.D. Jobs & Job Search Strategies January 7, 2023

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Every week, we at Cheeky Scientist scour the Internet for the best articles on topics that help in the search for the Best of Transition: PhD Job Search in the industry. Our two consultants independently search for the most informative articles in the categories of networking, CVs/resumes, interviews, transferable skills, academic blues, industry positions, and business acumen. Our consultants vote on a top article for each category and a top overall article for the week – if it’s a recent article that can help readers find and acquire PhD jobs, then we want to include it in this weekly digest.…

Is Cheeky Scientist A Scam? Who Shouldn't Join The Association

Is Cheeky Scientist A Scam? Who Shouldn't Join The Association

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Is Cheeky Scientist a scam?   Has anyone here had any experience with the Cheeky Scientist Association? Is Cheeky Scientist worth it?  What’s the deal with Cheeky Scientist? Is Cheeky Scientist legit? PhDs are trained to be critical.  In academia and in life, every decision they’re faced with is made with extreme prejudice. Examining facts, collecting resources, and determining what is a trustworthy source of information is one of their biggest strengths.  PhDs have superior critical thinking skills, so it makes sense for them to carefully consider any investment – even if it’s an investment in themselves. And in almost every…

4 Red-Hot Intellectual Property Positions For PhDs

4 Red-Hot Intellectual Property Positions For PhDs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I just got off the phone with an old friend of mine.  We were researchers at the same lab back in our university days. We had lost touch, but when he found me on LinkedIn I couldn’t wait to hear what he’s done since graduation.  He told me he had not wound up in chemistry, which had been his major. Biomolecular chemistry, he reminded me. Instead, he decided to pursue a career in patent law.  Here’s his transition story: I was in the process of earning my PhD in biomolecular chemistry. That’s where I learned that patents were unrecognized by…

Should You Delete Your PhD From Your Resume? The Answer May Surprise You

Should You Delete Your PhD From Your Resume? The Answer May Surprise You

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

If you have a PhD, you’re overqualified for an industry job. PhDs are lab rats and can’t understand business. You can’t get a job without industry experience. Do any of these sentences sound familiar to you? Have you been looking for an industry job unsuccessfully and have reached a point where you ask yourself if your PhD has any value whatsoever? These sentences are myths, commonly said by either academics who don’t understand anything about industry, or by other job candidates who don’t want to compete with PhDs. Hiring managers for PhD-level industry positions want the best candidates possible. After…

4 Skills PhDs Have That Employers Are Desperately Seeking

4 Skills PhDs Have That Employers Are Desperately Seeking

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

The number of PhDs wanting to transition out of academia increases every year. Initially, most of these PhDs were recent graduates and postdocs.  But as the crisis in academia has gotten worse, we are seeing a lot of adjunct and even tenured professors wanting to leave. They feel professionally unfulfilled in academic positions because they are overworked, work in uninspiring roles, and/or are paid marginal academic stipends, fellowships, and wages.  Far too many PhDs are unable to find any meaning or joy in their academic careers, which negatively impacts both their professional and personal lives. Unfortunately, many of these PhDs end up…

The Exciting (or, Dreadful) First 90 Days Of A New Job. Here's What To Expect

The Exciting (or, Dreadful) First 90 Days Of A New Job. Here's What To Expect

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Like many PhDs, I thought I could jump into my first industry position ready to hit the ground running. Much to my surprise, this was not the case.   During the first few months of my new position, I felt like I was drowning. Everything I thought I knew about my field, how research is conducted, and how companies operate was turned on its head. I was not prepared for this major shift, and it showed. I waivered between trying to impress my managers and sitting mute in meetings, intimidated by everyone in the room. If I had known what…

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Nothing could prepare me for the shock I received walking into my first industry onboarding experience. Literally, everything was different from what I had experienced in academia. The processes, the culture, the pace – absolutely everything. I also had no idea what onboarding meant. I heard the word tossed around but, to me, it was just the process you went through to get all the mandatory paperwork out of the way. That was so far from the truth. My first onboarding experience lasted almost 6 months. Yet, throughout that whole process, I had no idea that I was still being…

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.