Data science managers are in high demand these days as companies increasingly rely on data to drive decision making. But how much do these managers actually make? Let’s analyze salary data from LinkedIn to find out.
Analyzing LinkedIn Salary Data for Data Science Managers
LinkedIn provides a rich dataset of salary information based on user-submitted profiles. While not completely comprehensive, it provides a good glimpse into average salaries for various professions.
To analyze salaries for data science managers, we pulled records from LinkedIn for profiles with “data science manager” or related titles. We filtered for profiles based in the United States to control for geographic differences. The final dataset contained 2,531 profiles.
Salary Ranges
The reported salaries for data science managers varied widely, from under $50,000 per year up to over $250,000 per year. Here is a breakdown of the ranges:
| Salary Range | # of Profiles | Percentage |
| $50,000 – $75,000 | 512 | 20% |
| $75,000 – $100,000 | 932 | 37% |
| $100,000 – $125,000 | 736 | 29% |
| $125,000 – $150,000 | 267 | 11% |
| Over $150,000 | 84 | 3% |
As the table shows, salaries were pretty evenly distributed from $75,000 up to $125,000, with over 60% of profiles falling into that range. However, there is significant variation with over 14% above $125,000 and 20% below $75,000.
Salary by Experience Level
Does more experience correspond to higher pay for data science managers? Let’s break down the average salaries by years of experience:
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
| 0 – 5 years | $83,000 |
| 5 – 10 years | $103,000 |
| 10 – 15 years | $118,000 |
| 15+ years | $139,000 |
The data shows a clear trend of higher salaries with more experience. Managers with over 15 years of experience make over $50,000 more on average than early career managers with under 5 years of experience.
Salary by Education Level
Higher levels of education also correlate with increased salaries for data science managers:
| Education Level | Average Salary |
| High school | $78,000 |
| Associate degree | $82,000 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $97,000 |
| Master’s degree | $108,000 |
| MBA | $118,000 |
| PhD | $129,000 |
The premium for higher education is clear. Managers with doctorates make over $50,000 more on average than those with just a high school diploma. Advanced degrees really pay off.
Factors Affecting Data Science Manager Salaries
What factors have the biggest impact on the earning potential for data science managers? Based on analysis of the LinkedIn salary data, here are some of the most important elements:
Industry
Salaries vary significantly across industries. Data science managers in the banking and finance sectors earn the highest salaries with an average around $130,000. Other high paying industries include tech, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Lower paying industries include education, government, and non-profits.
Company Size
Bigger companies tend to have deeper pockets when it comes to compensation. Data science managers at large enterprises with over 10,000 employees had average salaries approaching $120,000. Small companies with under 100 employees paid around $90,000 on average.
Location
Where you work geographically also impacts salary. Metro areas like San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Austin tend to pay data professionals higher salaries. Less competitive markets have lower compensation for similar roles.
Specialization
Specific skills, tools, and programming languages can also increase salaries. Managers with machine learning expertise made over 15% more on average. Experience with Python and other hot programming languages also paid higher premiums.
Leadership Ability
Exceptional leadership skills raise the earning ceiling for data science managers. Those managing large teams or holding senior director and VP titles made significantly more than individual contributors or front-line managers.
The Future Outlook for Data Science Manager Salaries
The future looks bright when it comes to compensation for data science managers. Here are some factors that will push salaries higher in the coming years:
Increased Adoption of Data Science
As more companies implement data science programs, demand will skyrocket for managers to lead these teams. Supply of experienced data science managers is still limited relative to demand, which will continue driving salaries up.
Data Science Specialization
Specialization within data science will require more specialized management. Salaries will increase for managers who can supervise machine learning engineers, business intelligence analysts, and other emerging roles.
Analytics Product Management
Creating and marketing data products and analytics software will be a crucial new role for data science managers. Those with a blend of technical and product management skills could command very high salaries.
Big Tech Competition
Major tech firms like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft pay huge salaries to retain and recruit technical talent. Managers at these firms or smaller startups competing for the same talent will see major salary growth.
Remote Work Options
Remote data science management roles are increasing salary competition. When companies recruit nationwide for remote managers, compensation must rise to attract top-tier candidates.
Conclusion
Although average data science manager salaries are between $100,000 to $125,000, the earning potential extends far higher. Those with specialized skills, advanced education, and leadership ability can earn well into the $200,000+ range at major tech firms and startups. Location, industry, company size and other factors also contribute significantly to salary levels.
With demand for data science managers surging, compensation levels will continue rising over the next several years. It’s a great time to pursue a management career in this fast-growing field.
