real talk about Data Scientist salaries and what to expect over time

From feeling pretty underpaid to now being at a tech start-up and feeling less underpaid, I've learned a lot about Data Scientist salaries. Let's talk real numbers about what Data Scientists are actually getting paid, what my salary progression was, and what my salary expectations are moving forward.
As always, if you have any questions for me, comment them down below and I will do my best to help you out! 💛
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Timestamps:
00:00 hi all ✨ video context here!
01:08 what to keep an eye out for (how salary is determined)
03:54 my salary progression
05:51 my salary expectations
06:51 tech salaries + negotiation
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Welcome to my channel - College Tips From the Almost Astrophysicist! I'm Priya and I'm here to help you get into college. I'm a University of Chicago grad with an Astrophysics degree that currently works as a Data Scientist and I want to break down the college application process and tackle all of the misconceptions about college for you! Let me know in the comments section down below if you have any video requests, or just want to say hi! :)
LinkedIn: / priya-l-520311145
Instagram: / plingutla

[@devhausstudios4377]

My advice would be 1: optimize for learning and developing your skills, the money will follow. And 2: negotiate AND have competing offers. I left Facebook in 2020 (making around 200k) to work at a start up for less money. Recently started as a Senior Software Engineer at Google making $522k. I wouldn’t have gotten to that point without working at the startup or having multiple competing offers. Good luck!

[@0Mynameisearl0]

Damn, that one of the most impressive things I’ve read in awhile lol

[@nidhi5336]

I have a question, would you have been as successful with the start up company if you started your career there instead of Facebook?

[@donndonnn]

What is your breakdown comp, if you don’t mind me asking

[@onyedikachikanu9326]

OMFG!!!

[@fk8395]

Hehehe are you sure about these numbers

[@angelify6692]

Adding my data point to the conversation (Data Scientist, 3-4 Years of experience, Masters degree): Year 1: 85k* (MCoL city) Year 2: 110k Year 3: 120k (promotion) Year 4: 160k* (job switch, super HCoL city) * Both companies are non-tech and has no stocks. Second company has annual bonuses so the compensation is calculated as base + bonus.

[@madhavilingutla4031]

Good to see you back! Nice Video Priya!

[@sophiekrinos2354]

I really appreciate your transparency on your channel, it's been super helpful! How do you answer the compensation question in interviews?

[@mcjon77]

This is a very cool post. I just started my first data scientist position, having been a data analyst for 3 years prior and picking up a MS in Data Science. My salary is right in that Data Scientist 2 range, and I am also in Chicago. I am definitely trying to chart out my career plan to hit those higher salary numbers. Right now I am focusing on learning my craft and providing value to my team. I want to be able to have several awesome accomplishments on my resume in 2-3 years.

[@TheAlmostAstrophysicist]

This is AWESOME. Good luck to you, it’s always about getting good projects under your belt! :)

[@CraigThePoet]

Such a valuable video 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@miracleobatare2443]

Being a while since I saw your content, but really excellent video...

[@spifuntastic621]

0:13 Mango's a dang queen fr. 2:01 - 2:14, Lol mango just chillin in the background again. Loving it. 3:32 - Another thing to note, Netflix does not have good job security so if that's something you're looking for, maybe avoid it (I read about this in 2020, not sure if it's the same now). Really liked the video :) Data science is something I hope to do more of so this was great!

[@alexardaya7113]

Hi Priya, thank you very much for sharing your experience. I found the camera part funny, just out of curiosity, what camera do you use?

[@rigelr5345]

I'm 25F from Denmark, just graduated with a master's degree in Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. Lab work was not the best experience, so I am looking to make the switch into data science now. Luckily, I had technical courses sprinkled into my education, such as scanning techniques (MRI etc), machine learning/neural networks, statistics, bioinformatics, calculus, Matlab/R/Python programming etc. but those were small 5 ECTS courses here and there. I program in my free time too, although I never really stuck with a programming language long enough to make a serious project. I'm taking a Udemy course on data science with Python now to refresh and learn the libraries/Frameworks and am gonna stick with that for a while until I've made at least five projects I think. Your videos are a great inspiration! I felt a bit unsure about the prospects since I've mostly done a wet lab master's project, but this gives me more hope that I could make the switch.

[@shrutisurati1637]

Hello Rigel, I’m also doing Medical imaging in ultrasound, looking to switch to data Sceince. It would be best if we can connect:)

[@Crystal-sb3mr]

Hey! Just curious if this video applies to data analysts as well? I was a bit confused on the difference between data science and data analytics, but it seems that there’s just a small difference?

[@seanmclaughlin7415]

What did you do to learn data science? Programs? Certs.? Thanks!

[@ZoeyNeighland]

Can you do a video about bias and equity in the field.

[@jvjv8484]

Right after the MS data science, is it already employable?

[@nabinjungkunwar2105]

I am currently pursuing msc physics degree but after I heared about data science,I want to be data scientist. So what should I do to be data scientist

[@roxannenoriega5661]

I'm sorry if I missed it in your other videos, but what type of education is required?

[@saptarshidassss271]

Hey didi hope u doing good . How's Northwestern for MBA finance do u have any idea or Uchicago

[@abhasmalguri2905]

Greetings from India..😀 A question: is it possible to be a remote data scientist in a US company while being in India?

[@Ana-to3hi]

Please make more content ❤

[@dylanchen2076]

How long after graduating were you able to do all the skills mentioned in the video on your own

[@TheAlmostAstrophysicist]

Great question! I’d say I learned as much as I could at my first role and realized I wanted to solve more complex data science problems (in the ML modeling space) and left for the start-up. I think 2 years at my old company was enough to get a strong foundation since I owned my own projects towards the end and advocated for better practices there. I honestly learned exponentially more after joining the start-up, but the first 2 years gave me the foundation to get this kind of job (one that pays more and is more challenging).

[@FREAK12111]

How hard was it for u to interview to become a data scientist?

[@user-gk6qr2fg5o]

Hey Priya I love your videos! Do you know the difference between machine learning and data science. How do they relate and intertwine ? Thanks

[@ryanmartin2594]

Hi Priya, do you think it is possible to pivot from Accounting to Data Science? Currently working as an analyst out of college and bored with the work. Could either spend the next two years pursuing CPA or training coding/statistics and am leaning towards that since CPA would pigeon hole me further. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks! :^)

[@taylorkelly5649]

I am in the same boat! I would really want to know her thoughts

[@ryanmartin2594]

@@taylorkelly5649 Hi Taylor, I’ll update you with my decision in that it may help you. I decided to stop pursuing CPA and spend the 2-hour daily study time on Udemy coursework provided by my employer. After a few months of practice and application, I will do a boot camp with a guaranteed job placement. Good luck!

[@royramon4465]

@@ryanmartin2594 hi, what’s the update on that if you don’t mind me asking. I’m currently in the same situation lol

[@ryanmartin2594]

@@royramon4465 Hi Roy, decided against bootcamp since you can learn the same concepts at your own pace for much less $. Still learning using Udemy and 365DataScience. Will pursue Masters in Statistics for mathematical concepts and once accepted into the program will begin applying for roles.

[@hallo-xp2wh]

Hi Priya I will be pursuing my masters in Data science starting next month at UB I wanna better myself Hope everything works well with me.

[@bereniceg777]

How's it going?

[@laniebb6834]

Hello do you need to be in the US to get this kind of job? How about if you are in different in Europe, would you be able to get a job in the US? Thanks in advance 😊

[@bin4ry_d3struct0r]

The problem with working at startups is that most of them fail. If you're looking to jump ship once every 2-3 years, I guess that's not too much of an issue, but if you're looking for job security, you're overall better off at well-established institutions. That is not to say you'll be untouchable; at time of writing, Amazon and Facebook/Meta have announced planned layoffs totaling over 10,000 employees each.

[@krishnarao4840]

Nice video

[@TheAlmostAstrophysicist]

Thanks Tata!!

[@bin4ry_d3struct0r]

Yeah, $100K in San Fran is like minimum wage.

[@colekole4012]

Is 75,00 entry level in Michigan with no masters to low

[@TheAlmostAstrophysicist]

75K sounds extremely reasonable for a first job out of college that isn’t a tech offer! It’s very similar to the offers I got straight out of uchicago.

[@samyoe]

Jesus Christ. I'm stuck in London working in the public sector earning $50k after 1.5 years experience and a master's. I need to immigrate!

[@jameslittle1253]

Starters in the UK expect 30-40k with Masters

[@samyoe]

this is why I'm immigrating to the US!

[@joelwillis2043]

Very large decrease in salary across the industry this year.

[@samarcher1294]

She is sooooo coooote ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗