How to become a data scientist
Official title: Data scientists
Also called: Data miner, Data modeler, Data engineer, Data architect, Data scientist, Big data analyst, Big data engineer, Big data developer, Data mining analyst, Lead data scientist, Data analytics consultant, Data analytics specialist
Data scientists use advanced analytics technologies, including machine learning and predictive modelling, to support the identification of trends, scrape information from unstructured data sources and provide automated recommendations. They are employed by consulting firms, universities, banks and information technology departments in the public and private sectors.
Main tasks
- Implement cutting-edge techniques and tools in machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence to make data analysis more efficient
- Perform large-scale experimentation to identify hidden relationships between variables in large datasets
- Create advanced machine learning algorithms such as regression, simulation, scenario analysis, modeling, clustering, decision trees and neural networks
- Prepare and extract data using programming language
- Implement new statistical, machine learning, or other mathematical methodologies to solve specific business problems
- Visualize data in a way that allows a business to quickly draw conclusions and make decisions
- Develop artificial intelligence models and algorithms and implement them to meet the needs of the organization
- Coordinate research and analysis activities using unstructured and structured data and use programming to clean and organize data
How to become one
A bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, computer systems engineering or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required. A master's or doctoral degree in machine learning, data science, or a related quantitative field is usually required. Experience in programming is usually required. Experience in statistical modelling and machine learning is usually required.
Ways in
- University: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $89,993 a year The middle half earn $74,997 to $110,351.
- About 36,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 42,800 are projected by 2033. (+16.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a data scientist?
A bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, computer systems engineering or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required. A master's or doctoral degree in machine learning, data science, or a related quantitative field is usually required. Experience in programming is usually required. Experience in statistical modelling and machine learning is usually required.
How much does a data scientist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $89,993 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $74,997 to $110,351.
Is a data scientist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2033, from about 36,600 to about 42,800 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a data scientist?
Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03