We used the latest data and insights to identify the Highest Paying Decision Science Jobs, so you can learn and earn more.
We have used data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale, and other authority sites to compile a list of the highest-paying jobs for decision science majors.
Decision science is one of the hottest graduate degree programs available today. And, as you may have guessed from the title, it has one of the biggest paychecks. This degree analyzes big data and teaches students about evaluating options and predicting customer behavior.
Let’s have a look at some of the highest-paid decision science jobs.
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Table of Contents
#10. Data Analyst
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $45,000 per year
- High Range: $87,000 per year
- Median Pay: $62,951 per year
What do they do?
Data analysts are people who get their hands dirty in the muck of raw data. They take that raw information and turn it into something their employers can use.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or information systems. In addition to this knowledge, employers look for soft skills such as:
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with coworkers and clients.
- The ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills.
- An affinity for working through complex issues.
- Great attention to detail.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Data analysts work in a variety of industries, including:
- Finance.
- Hedge funds.
- Retail.
- Education.
- Technology.
- Healthcare.
- Marketing.
What’s the best way to get this job?
One of the best ways to get started on your career path as a data analyst is by learning the right skills. You can then enroll in internships. These programs will help develop your skillset that will be essential in your first job.
How can you become a data analyst?
#9. Business Intelligence Developer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $59,000 per year
- High Range: $115,000 per year
- Median Pay: $82,448 per year
What do they do?
A business intelligence developer is responsible for creating reports and dashboards that help companies make better business decisions. They spend their time analyzing data. BI developers also build and maintain databases.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Because this position is part of the IT team, employers require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field.
Employers also look for different skills for this position depending on the kind of data you’d be working with. These are some of the common skills:
- Querying databases.
- Running performance tuning tests.
- Using ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) tools.
These data scientists’ national average salary for vary depending on their expertise.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
BI Developers usually work either directly for a company or as consultants with a firm specializing in business intelligence. Their employers range from small software companies to large corporations with in-house teams of developers.
What’s the best way to get this job?
Start by gaining relevant skills through your education or work experience. You can then apply directly to top positions through a company’s website or LinkedIn page.
There is no one path to getting this job, so don’t feel discouraged if you don’t have the exact credentials everyone else does.
Should you become a business intelligence developer?
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#8. Data Scientist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $69,000 per year
- High Range: $136,000 per year
- Median Pay: $97,000 per year
What do they do?
Data scientists are professionals who use their analytical prowess to transform large and complex data sets into meaningful information for businesses. These large data experts are comfortable using spreadsheets, statistical software, and database languages to achieve their goals.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Data science jobs usually require an undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. But, some employers may look for experience instead of a bachelor’s degree.
Besides a strong background in statistical analysis and computer science, this job requires excellent communication skills. Data scientists must also be able to manage time efficiently to meet deadlines.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Data scientists may find work in every industry imaginable, from healthcare to tech to education. This is one of the most in-demand jobs on the market today. You can find work in companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Data scientist salaries vary depending on your employer and your experience level.
What’s the best way to get this job?
You can start with a technical degree. Then get some professional experience either as a statistician or in another role that involves a lot of data analysis. You can also break into this career field by gaining experience through internships and college courses that focus on data analysis.
How can you become a data scientist?
#7. Database Administrator
How much do they get this paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $36,000 per year
- High Range: $282,000 per year
- Median Pay: $97,404 per year
What do they do?
Database administrators are the guardians of databases. These IT professionals make sure that all data is secure. They also ensure that data is accessible to people.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Database administrators usually need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a management information system-related field.
Firms that work with large databases may prefer candidates with advanced degrees. You most likely need to have at least three years of experience working as a database administrator to get well-paying jobs in this field.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
These administrators can find work in systems design, data processing, and data hosting firms. Some work in:
- Hospitals.
- Insurance banks.
- Tech companies.
What’s the best way to get this job?
Apply and interview at companies that hire database administrators. You should be prepared to demonstrate your understanding of relational database management systems (RDBMSs).
Should you become a database administrator?
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#6. Machine Learning Engineer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $77,000 per year
- High Range: $154,000 per year
- Median Pay: $112,669 per year
What do they do?
Machine learning engineers are responsible for creating, implementing, and maintaining machine learning systems. They design and build software that can:
- Analyze large data sets.
- Make predictions about future outcomes.
- Automate decision-making.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
There is no specific degree requirement for a machine learning engineer position. However, most employers hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or mathematics. But most employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in this field.
You may also need skills such as:
- Knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
- Experience with popular programming languages such as Java or Python.
- Familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
- Proficiency with SQL database queries and relational database management systems (RDBMSs).
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Machine Learning engineers work in the following industries:
- Information Technology.
- Retail & Wholesale.
- Business Services.
- Education.
- Aerospace & Defence.
- Manufacturing.
- Computers & Electronics.
- Healthcare.
- Media & Communication.
What’s the best way to get this job?
You can get started down this path by taking data science and machine learning classes. Consider building your portfolio before getting an entry-level job at the company of your dreams.
How can you become a machine learning engineer?
#5. Infrastructure Engineer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $85,000 per year
- High Range: $150,000 per year
- Median Pay: $113,000 per year
What do they do?
Infrastructure engineers are the people who keep our digital infrastructure running smoothly. They make sure everything is up and running. These data scientists also take care of any issues that might arise.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Infrastructure engineers usually have degrees in information technology or computer science. You may also need certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, or Google Cloud to be an infrastructure engineer.
Skills most employers go for include communication skills, analytical thinking, knowledge of security, and compliance with regulations.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Infrastructure engineers work in almost every industry. The most common places to find them are technology companies, financial firms, and medical offices.
What’s the best way to get this job?
Earn your bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field like information technology. You can then apply for jobs.
You may also gain experience through internships or apprenticeships at a company and get relevant certifications for your field.
What’s it like to be an infrastructure engineer?
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#4. Data Engineer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $35,000 per year
- High Range: $217,000 per year
- Median Pay: $114,464 per year
What do they do?
Data engineers are a lot like the architects of our digital world. They’re responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports data-driven decision-making. These professionals also develop new tools and algorithms to manage databases.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Data engineers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering. To get into this field, you need to think critically about problems and be comfortable with abstract concepts. You should also be able to work well in teams.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Unlike other engineering jobs, data engineers often work remotely and on their own time.
These engineers typically work for industries like manufacturing, retail, finance, and tech companies.
What’s the best way to get this job?
After earning your college degree, you may kickstart your career by getting experience with programming languages like Python or Java. You can also get experience by volunteering at local nonprofits that use data analytics to help them serve their community better. This will help you get entry-level positions.
How can you become a data engineer?
#3. Data Modeler
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $54,500 per year
- High Range: $164,500 per year
- Median Pay: $117,590 per year
What do they do?
A data modeler helps companies store and organize large amounts of information. They work with databases and data warehouses- like big libraries where information is stored in a structured way. Data modelers help businesses use the data they have to decide where their company is going.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most data modelers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or mathematics. But you can get a job as a data modeler with just an associate’s degree if you have the right experience.
Besides having a degree, you should be comfortable working with computers and understand how different software systems communicate with each other.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Data modelers are found in various industries, including finance, healthcare, tech, and retail. They will likely be working in an office or on-site at a client’s location in any industry.
What’s the best way to get this job?
You will need to show that you have skills in relational databases—they’re the bread and butter of this job. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you can work well on a team.
Should you become a data modeler?
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#2. Artificial Intelligence Engineer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $56,000 per year
- High Range: $265,000 per year
- Median Pay: $119,730 per year
What do they do?
Artificial intelligence engineers develop software that mimics human thought processes and behavior. They then work with other professionals to design applications and systems.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Some companies may require a master’s degree or Ph.D. if the position requires more advanced knowledge of AI topics such as machine learning or deep learning algorithms.
The skills that may help you stand out from other AI engineers include:
- Experience in Data mining, machine learning, algorithms, and distributed systems.
- Proficiency with scripting languages, databases, and structured query language (SQL).
- Understanding of linear algebra.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
An artificial intelligence engineer can work in many different industries, including:
- Healthcare.
- Finance.
- Transportation.
- Retail.
- Manufacturing.
- Agriculture.
- Education.
What’s the best way to get this job?
One of the quickest ways to get a job as an AI Engineer is to increase your marketability by building multiple projects that demonstrate your skillset. Create a portfolio of projects you’ve worked on and make it available online, especially on sites like GitHub.
How can you become an AI Engineer?
#1. Data Architect
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $79,000 per year
- High Range: $159,000 per year
- Median Pay: $123,147 per year
What do they do?
A data architect earns a national average salary of $123k, making it the highest-paying data science career on our list.
Data architects are the people who design and build data structures for companies or other organizations. They’re responsible for figuring out what data the company needs and how to store it in the most helpful way to the organization.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The typical educational background for data architects is an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field, with additional emphasis on database design.
This role requires practical, technical, and soft skills such:
- Data modeling.
- Experience with programming languages such as Python.
- Understanding visualization tools such as Tableau.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities.
Employers may also require skills such as database management and the ability to design database schemas.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Large companies with significant IT departments typically employ these architects.
Data architects work in:
- Finance.
- Insurance.
- Retail.
- Healthcare.
- Telecommunications.
- Government agencies.
- Education.
- Nonprofits.
What’s the best way to get this job?
You may start building your experience with databases by working on open-source database projects. Then seek out opportunities at organizations that use databases heavily, such as retail companies or social networks.
How can you become a data architect?
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Conclusion
Decision science is a fun and rewarding field of study that provides students with the most opportunities for advanced education and employment.
Software engineering and the other fields discussed in this article are only a few of the many careers available to decision science majors.
We hope our article gave you the information you needed to settle on a data science career.
