DiscoverDataScience.org

  • Online
    • Online Masters in Business Analytics
    • Online Masters in Data Analytics
    • Online Masters in Data Science
    • Online Masters in Health Informatics
    • Online Masters in Information Systems
    • Top Affordable Online Master’s in Data Science
  • Programs
        • Bachelors in Data Science
        • Minor in Data Science
        • Masters in Data Science
        • MBA in Data Science / Data Analytics
        • Data Science PhD Programs
        • Additional Programs
        • Data Science Bootcamps
        • Data Science Certificate Programs
        • Associates Degree in Data Science
  • Related Programs
        • Masters in Business Analytics Programs
        • Masters in Data Analytics Programs
        • Masters in Health Informatics Programs
        • Masters in Information Systems Programs
        • PhD in Health Informatics
        • PhD in Information Systems
        • Other Degrees and Certificate Programs
        • Accounting Analytics
        • Actuarial Science
        • Cyber Security
        • Data Analytics and Visualization
        • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
        • Sports Analytics
  • Schools By State
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Maryland
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Pennsylvania
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • All Schools by State
  • Careers & Salary
        • Career Guides – How to Become:
        • Business Analyst
        • Business Intelligence Analyst
        • Data Analyst
        • Data Scientist
        • Machine Learning Engineer
        • Statistician
        • All Career Guides
        • Salary Guides
        • Careers in Data Science
        • Business Analyst
        • Data Analyst
        • Data Scientist
  • Resources
        • Articles
        • Data Science in the Health Care Industry
        • Data Storytelling
        • How to Use Deepfake
        • Journey through Data Science with the Data Professor
        • Top Reasons to Become a Data Scientist
        • What is Python and Why Important
        • + All Articles
        • FAQ
        • Data Analyst vs Data Scientist
        • Data Science vs Computer Science
        • Do You Need a PhD to Become a Data Scientist?
        • How to Get a Job as a Data Scientist?
        • Is Data Science Hard?
        • Is a PhD in Data Science Worth It?
        • What Can I Do With a Masters in Statistics?
        • What is Business Analytics?
        • What is Data Analytics?
        • +All FAQs
        • Social Good
        • Clean Water
        • Cyberbullying
        • Mental Health
        • Nonprofits
        • +All Social Good
        • Data Science in Industry
        • Artificial Intelligence AI
        • Biotechnology
        • Clean Energy
        • Health Care
        • Logistics
        • Marketing
        • Sports
        • + All Industries
        • Data Science Training Toolkits
        • Java
        • SAS
        • SQL
        • Tableau
        • +All Training
        • More Resources & Helpfull Guides
        • Data Science and Sustainability
        • Expert Interviews
        • Exploring a Career with Numbers
        • Income Sharing Agreements
        • Making Room for Diverse Populations in STEM
        • Scholarship Guide
        • +More Resources
        • Top Picks
        • Best Master’s Data Science Programs for 2023
        • Best Bachelor’s Data Science Programs for 2023
        • The Most Affordable Data Science Bachelor’s Programs for 2023
        • The Most Affordable Data Science Master’s Programs for 2023
FIND A PROGRAM
1
2
3
4
Sponsored Content

10 Data Science Types

Created by aasif.faizal

data scientist on laptop

If you have decided that you’d like to professionalize in the world of big data, congratulations: a stimulating and rewarding career path awaits you. But in order to truly get started on your data science journey, you’ll have to get more specific in your plans.

There are numerous data science types that draw upon a variety of skill sets and areas of knowledge to provide a huge range of services to businesses.

Though it may sound daunting, it’s great news, as it means that many different types of people have perspectives and skills that can be useful in this booming industry.

So what is data science and its types, and how can you decide which subfield of the industry is the one for you? Read our guide below to find out.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Southern New Hampshire University Logo
Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: AS, BS and MS Data Analytics
Request Info
UC Berkeley Logo
UC Berkeley
Featured Program: UC Berkeley’s Master of Information and Data Science | Online
Request Info
George Mason University Logo
George Mason University
Featured Program: MS in Data Analytics Engineering and Certificate in Data Analytics
Request Info
Grand Canyon University Logo
Grand Canyon University
Featured Program: Online Technology Master's Degree Programs in the following career paths: IT Project Manager, Information Technology Manager, Database Administrator, Computer Systems Analyst and many more.
Request Info
Purdue Global Logo
Purdue Global
Featured Program: Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology - Data Analytics; Master of Science in Information Technology - Data Analytics; Professional Focus + Google Data Analytics Certificate
Request Info
Arizona State University - Online Logo
Arizona State University - Online
Featured Program: Online Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Request Info
University of Virginia Logo
University of Virginia
Featured Program: A top-tier master's in data science designed for working professionals
Request Info

Why choose data science?

Picking a career path in data science means you are opting to be involved in the technological movement that is rapidly transforming how we live. It’s a fascinating and wide-ranging field with applications in every industry you can think of. In some arenas, data science innovations are creating wholly new inventions that are changing our day-to-day experiences, while in other areas, technological advances have improved and expedited long-standing operations models. If you would like to pursue a career that is only growing in relevance to the way we do business today, data science is the perfect path for you.

Salary and Job Growth Data

It’s impossible to deny that two of the biggest factors drawing so many new candidates to the field of data science are its high salaries and rapidly growing job opportunities. Indeed, the big data boom has made it one of the most lucrative career paths you can find, with new jobs opening every day. This should be reason enough to look into the different data science types and see if there’s one that suits your skill set.

The numbers speak for themselves: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientists earn a median annual salary of $100,910 per year, a stellar number in comparison with most other careers. These numbers only increase when looking at the top paying industries for data scientists: those working in the field of computer systems design and related services earn a median annual salary of $116,300, and those working in the management of companies and enterprises industry earn a median annual salary of $108,060 per year.

Job growth numbers for data scientists are even more promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an anticipated job growth rate of 36% for data scientists by 2031, a number far outpacing most other careers. This means that for seasoned experts who can provide the skilled knowledge required of these positions, job options will be plentiful for a long time to come.

For even more information about data science career options, degree programs, salary data and more, visit our homepage here.

business analytics on computer

Popular data science types

Below is a list of a few of the most common data science types as defined by popular professions within the field. If you’re still in the early stages of plotting your data science career, please note that there are even more data science focus areas than the ones listed below to choose from when pursuing a degree. (To learn more about areas of concentration in data science degree programs, take a look at our guide here.)

Machine learning expert

Machine learning (ML) is one of the fastest-growing data science types, reaching into nearly every other arena of data science, from cybersecurity to market analysis. This is because machine learning technology has quickly accelerated in recent years, becoming indispensable to a host of data-related operations, from data capturing to developing predictive analytics. If you are a statistician, this is an excellent data science track to pursue. The field of machine learning includes one of the most popularly discussed areas of data science, artificial intelligence (A.I.).

Business analyst

If you have an aptitude for communication in addition to mathematics and computer science, you might excel as a business analyst. These can be key players in large corporations, helping business leaders and stakeholders understand the complex data their companies are receiving. This is a tremendously impactful role, as businesses take data more seriously than ever and are seeking the top advisors to help unpack the findings of the new tools at their disposal. Business analysts are often top-ranking employees with significant expertise.

Data mining expert

Data mining is the process of sifting through large amounts of data to find patterns or anomalies that can help businesses understand their operations. This can be used to identify problem points and draw attention to unexpected data outcomes, guiding solutions and even making predictions about how a business’ plans will go in the future. Data mining experts are highly valuable in arenas as disparate as marketing and interface models.

Data engineer

Data engineers play key roles in large organizations, acting as managers of the databases where all incoming data is stored. Because this information is so valuable and so plentiful, businesses are relying greatly upon their data engineers to store and protect everything safely. It’s important that data engineers take an interest in evolutions in data storage systems, as part of their work is ensuring that their database mechanisms are up to date in a rapidly transforming digital environment.

Data visualization expert

Like business analysts, data visualization experts play a critical role in informing and advising business leaders and board members about complicated findings from data the company has harvested and analyzed. Studies have found that visuals can be vitally useful in educating those outside of the data sciences on information that would otherwise be nearly impossible to access. This means that data visualization experts must be equally adept at understanding and interpreting data and at rendering their findings graphically.

Data analyst

Data analysts are responsible for processing the data that a company receives, using statistical analysis models to answer key questions businesses are asking about their overall structures. They also help identify important new strategies to overcome problem areas or to take advantage of observations about trends in the market or customer behavior patterns. This job can vary greatly from one position to the next, as there are all different sorts of datasets that a company may want to have analyzed. In many cases, this role also communicates important findings of their analytic studies to business leaders and stakeholders.

programmer on laptop

Cybersecurity data scientist

One of the most important data science types is cybersecurity, as it is the arena that protects the critical (and typically highly confidential) information companies are harvesting and analyzing. Every year, the field of cybersecurity grows more complex, as cyberattack methods become ever more sophisticated, drawing in this day and age from machine learning algorithms that pose a major threat to even the largest of companies. This means that this role requires vigilance, attention to detail, and an appetite to constantly be learning about advances in big data. If you’re looking for a career that will never slow down, a role as a cybersecurity data analyst could be the perfect choice for you.

Data quality analyst

With so much data being captured by companies at all times, it’s essential to monitor all incoming information to be sure it is legitimate, efficient, and high quality before it undergoes statistical analysis procedures. This is where data quality analysts come in, processing datasets to determine their “cleanness” and accuracy before they are given over to the data analysts who will interpret their findings. This is a job for extremely detail-oriented individuals who are ready to handle data on the ground floor of the analysis process.

Software programming analyst

A programmer analyst designs and maintains the programs and applications that a company uses to run its business. These are typically tailor-made to suit a company’s needs and require regular updates and overhauls to accommodate company objectives as well as quickly evolving standards in the digital workplace. This can involve developing new software or applications from the ground up, testing and troubleshooting existing software, and performing routine inspections to be sure there are not any unseen issues with a company’s internal program.

Spatial data scientist

Spatial data science is a growing and innovative branch of data science that is taking a new approach to analytics in what many experts are arguing to be a deeper and more impactful way of interpreting data. This draws from different forms of machine learning, including A.I. and deep learning, to uncover previously hidden patterns in data and develop predictive modeling apparatuses that can help companies make highly informed decisions about their goals and plans for the future. If you are interested in being at the cutting edge of data science, spatial data is an excellent concentration for you to pursue.

Taking the Next Steps to Pursue a Data Science Career

Now that you have an overview of the different data science types, it may be easier for you to imagine the specific professional track you would like to follow. The next step is to get the data science degree that will give you the groundwork you need to kickstart a thriving professional career. With your area of focus in mind, take a look at our guide to the top data science programs, with information about different degree levels and program options.

FIND A PROGRAM
1
2
3
4
Sponsored Content
  • Career Guides
  • Artificial Intelligence Engineer
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Analytics Manager
  • Data Architect
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Mining Specialist
  • Database Administrator
  • Database Developer
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Software Developer
  • Statistician
  • Data Science Toolkit
  • Hadoop
  • Hive
  • Java
  • Python
  • R
  • SAS
  • SQL
  • Tableau
  • Data Science Articles
  • 10 Data Science Types
  • AI and Data Science
  • The Increasing Importance of Health Informatics
  • Python Growth Rate Predictions
  • Data-as-a-Service (DaaS)
  • Data Science Trends 2023
  • Cybersecurity Analyst vs. Engineer
  • Data Science in Education
  • Do You Need a PhD to Become a Data Scientist?
  • Best Big Data Conferences 2023
  • Data Science Focus Areas
  • Is a PhD in Data Science Worth It?
  • Is Data Science Hard?
  • Marketing Analytics Degree Online
  • Transferable Data Science Skills
  • Transitioning to Data Science
  • What Can I Do With a Masters in Statistics?
  • What Companies Hire Data Scientists?
  • What Is Cyber Science?
  • How to Read Crypto Charts
  • Breaking Down the Top Data Science Algorithms + Methods
  • Journey through Data Science with the Data Professor
  • How to Build a Data Science Portfolio & Resume
  • The Significance of Data Community Building
  • Developer Impostor Syndrome
  • How to Improve Programming Skills
  • Data Science Degree Vs. Training
  • Why Data Destruction is Important for your Business
  • Data Storytelling: Mastering Data Science’s Core Skillset
  • What is a Marketing Funnel and How to Create One
  • Building a Data Science Brand
  • Interviewing for Data Careers
  • Top 5 Reasons to Become a Data Scientist
  • What is Data Analytics?
  • What is Business Analytics?
  • What is Quantum Machine Learning?
  • What is Predictive Analytics?
  • Data Science vs. Statistics
  • Data Mining vs. Machine Learning
  • Business Analyst vs. Data Scientist
  • Data Scientist vs. Software Engineer
  • Data Science vs. Computer Science
  • Data Engineer vs. Data Scientist
  • Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist
  • How to Use Deepfake Technology
  • Java vs. JavaScript
  • What Is Python Used For & Why Is It Important to Learn?
  • Artificial Intelligence as a Trending Field
  • Data Science in Health Care
  • Guide to a Career in Criminal Intelligence
  • Guide to a Career in Health Informatics
  • Guide to Geographic Information System (GIS) Careers
  • Data Science Ph.D.
  • Expert Interview: Dr. Sudipta Dasmohapatra
  • Expert Interview: Sandra Altman
  • Expert Interview: Tony Johnson
  • Expert Interview: Bob Muenchen
  • Industries Using Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biotechnology
  • Finance
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Law Enforcement
  • Logistics
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Sports
  • Clean Energy
  • Online Guides
  • Data Science
  • Data Analytics
  • Business Analytics
  • Information Systems
  • Health Informatics
  • Programs
  • Online
  • Resources
  • Related Programs

© Copyright 2025 | https://www.discoverdatascience.org | All Rights Reserved

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use