Career comparison
Data scientist vs. Financial analyst
Data scientists earn more: a median of $120,230, $17,490 (17%) above financial analysts at $102,740.
Data scientists have the stronger outlook: +35% projected growth through 2035, vs. +7%.
Getting in is slower for data scientists: about 1.8 years vs. 9 months for someone with a bachelor's in another field.
At a glance
| Data scientist | Financial analyst | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $120,230 | $102,740 |
| Top 10% earn over | $199,130 | $180,860 |
| Growth to 2035 | +35% | +7% |
| Openings per year | 24,800 | 24,700 |
| Jobs today | 275,600 | 377,200 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Time to qualify* | 1.8 years | 9 months |
| Training cost* | $15K–$71K | $0–$5.3K |
* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Pay
Data scientist
Financial analyst
Switching from one to the other
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Data scientistFinancial analyst
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Getting in
Data scientist
- Entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: No license; most roles expect a quantitative master's or equivalent portfolio
Financial analyst
- Entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: No license for most roles; CFA charter optional (3 exams, ~3 years)
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Data scientist: 38% usually work over 40 hours a week
Data scientist: core tasks
- Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
- Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
- Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.
- Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
- Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.
Financial analyst: core tasks
Skills: what carries over
New for a financial analyst moving to data scientist: Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Programming, Speaking, Active Learning, Active Listening, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making.
Interests (Holland codes): Data scientist: Investigative, Conventional, Artistic. Financial analyst: Conventional, Enterprising, Investigative.
Outlook to 2035, and AI
Data scientist
+35%
much faster than average · 24,800 openings a year
Demand change - share increases as larger amounts of digital and electronic data are collected over the projections decade. Businesses in all industries will hire data scientists to analyze data to help improve business processes and design and develop new products.
Financial analyst
+7%
faster than average · 24,700 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, a data scientist or a financial analyst?
Data scientists earn more: a median of $120,230, $17,490 (17%) above financial analysts at $102,740.
Which has the better job outlook?
Data scientists have the stronger outlook: +35% projected growth through 2035, vs. +7%.
How long does it take to become a financial analyst?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 9 months, with tuition of roughly $0 to $5,300. Required: No license for most roles; CFA charter optional (3 exams, ~3 years).
How long does it take to become a data scientist?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 1.8 years, with tuition of roughly $15,000 to $70,500. Required: No license; most roles expect a quantitative master's or equivalent portfolio.