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How to become a Data Scientist

Analyses large amounts of stored data (big data) to develop new products and services and transform how organisations work.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say university or a master's degree is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

People in this job have often studied statistics, maths or computer science at postgraduate level. There are also people from other science fields, such as environmental science or biology, and from humanities. A grounding in data collection and analysis from postgraduate study is useful in the work. New graduates go into many industries, often large IT companies, manufacturing and services. Mid-career entrants are often information technology engineers, telecommunications engineers, marketing researchers or researchers in manufacturing. Some people with doctorates (postdoctoral researchers) also become data scientists. As well as specialist knowledge and skills in IT, data analysis and business, communication skills and creative thinking are needed. Data analysis covers a wide range of subjects, so you work using your own areas of strength.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Data Scientist?

People in this job have often studied statistics, maths or computer science at postgraduate level. There are also people from other science fields, such as environmental science or biology, and from humanities. A grounding in data collection and analysis from postgraduate study is useful in the work. New graduates go into many industries, often large IT companies, manufacturing and services. Mid-career entrants are often information technology engineers, telecommunications engineers, marketing researchers or researchers in manufacturing. Some people with doctorates (postdoctoral researchers) also become data scientists. As well as specialist knowledge and skills in IT, data analysis and business, communication skills and creative thinking are needed. Data analysis covers a wide range of subjects, so you work using your own areas of strength.

How much does a Data Scientist earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥6,119,400 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Engineers not elsewhere classified, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Data Scientist?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 62% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Data Scientist?

Generative AI could change many tasks in this job, which usually reshapes the work more than it replaces it, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026