Data Science is just everywhere and it’s obviously relevant to check out and compare how much you can actually make at an Entry-level data scientist position, primarily if you are working within MAANG companies. Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google are some of the biggest tech companies in the world.

Although anyone can look up the median and average salary of an entry-level data scientist with platforms like Glassdoor, PayScale & more, what we’re going to be doing here is deconstructing them based on factors such as company size, seniority, skill set, and others. So without wasting any time, let’s dig in and learn how you can make that dough!

What you must definitely know?

Salary is a sensitive topic and as you may have been led to believe a very private matter, but should it be?

There are a lot of good reasons why salaries should be transparent. It assists candidates in not wasting their time on opportunities that pay less than what they desire. Also, it shines a light on pay gaps between genders, racial groups, and other diversification. In the end, it helps employers contemplate if they are underpaid.

So let’s start with simple entry-level data scientist salary numbers. According to Glassdoor, the starting salary for an entry-level data scientist in India is ₹8L per annum. It is the national average base pay. But, does that mean you will get paid that much money fresh out of college?

Well, not necessarily. It depends on the skills you possess, the company, and the location, so you could make anywhere from around ₹5,50,000 to ₹12,00,000 as an entry-level data scientist, but man is that a great package for a newbie.

Data Science is set to grow exponentially with an annual growth rate or CAGR of 30.0% globally, and it is predicted to have grown by $140.9 Billion by 2024.

Before we move into the next section, ensure you have a good grip on data science essentials like Python, MongoDB, Pandas, Numpy, Tableau & PowerBI Data Methods. If you are looking for a detailed course on Data Science, you can join GUVI’s Data Science Career Program with placement assistance. You’ll also learn about the trending tools and technologies and work on some real-time projects. 

Why is MAANG so desirable?

A job at MAANG comes with vast opportunities for growth, global acknowledgments, exposure, great remunerations, and perks. Due to these great career opportunities, MAANG companies tempt all job seekers regardless of their job profile.

We created a sample for more than 2000 data points, extracted from level.fyi for the US region to depict median data scientist salaries in 2022.

Among all these companies Netflix has a policy where they encourage all data-scientist employees to interview various places and bring back the offers they get.

If some company outbids them, they will happily match the previous offer for an increased salary. As for India, data scientists are paid comparably and handsomely pretty much beginning of their careers.

What does a data scientist do?

Primarily, Data Scientists are tasked with investing data points and conducting exploratory data analysis. They also advise and advocate algorithms and build data models for effectively using data.

Oftentimes, they are responsible for integrating data within AI Systems using ML and deep learning capabilities to make use of the data. A data scientist must be able to program in R, Python, or Scala.

They should know their way around distributed file systems such as RDBMS such as MariaDB, MySQL, or Hadoop as well as NoSQL DBMS systems. Data scientists should also benefit if they know how to conduct data visualization.

Data Scientist Salaries by Seniority

The largest enterprise including MAANG has various variations of a level (L) system, which specify the seniority of an employee. Most of the tech employers fall in the range of L2-3 (Junior or Mid) to L6 (Manager or Expert).

Though in the case of companies like Google, the level goes all the way up to L10, most likely an employee with a higher range will not share their salaries.

Entry-level Data Scientists earn an average of ₹5,71,493 annually (based on 533 data points on GlassDoor). However, a data scientist with 1 to 4 years of work experience can earn an average of ₹8,18,099 per annum (based on 2476 Data Scientist salaries). A quick look at GlassDoor shows that the reported salaries at L8 are more than 2M, so I dare you to dream of where it ends at L10.

Whereas proficient or experienced data scientists with five to nine years of experience earn ₹14,20,229 on average per annum (based on 868 data points). More senior-level data scientists with 10 to 19 years of experience earn up to ₹30,00,000.

We couldn’t collect the data for salaries of the entry-level, medium, and senior-level data scientists, however, to get a gist, we summarised US salaries of 4000 Data professionals, powered by levels.fyi.

Which Indian Cities pay the most?

We all know that locations affect what we get paid. Most would expect to earn more in IT cities like Bangalore than they would in Delhi or Mumbai.  The reason: Cost-of-living. There’s a clear correlation between tech hubs with high costs of living and average starting pay.

However, when it comes to a job profile, there is not a huge disparity between Indian Cities. Here are various average salaries in different cities of India.

Bengaluru  – ₹10LPA

New Delhi – ₹9LPA

Hyderabad – ₹8LPA

Mumbai – ₹9LPA

Pune – ₹7LPA

Which Indian organizations pay the most & does the company size matter?

When you look into salary data, it’s clear that company size affects the average starting salary. You will clearly make more at MAANG company than you could expect at a start-up.

So the bigger the size of the company, the better salary for employers. A company like Google pay entry-level data scientist handsomely around ₹10,00,000, while Neilson pays around ₹6,00,000 per annum.

To compare the complete list of Indian companies and their average base salary, visit this link.

What Skills are required to make a career in Data Science?

Data Science professionals are paid higher if they have additional skills other than data science. The skills you bring to the recruiter’s table increase your worth. More specialized skills result in higher entry-level data scientist salaries.

Let’s say you’ll be pretty well off if you have a strong background in machine learning. On the other hand, if you’re only really comfortable with the programming language R, then you might want to start learning more Python.

In general, higher-paying skills are the ones that require more specific knowledge rather than something generalized like Excel and R.

To get a gist, here’s an insight from Payscale into how much one could expect to make based on their skill set.

In Closing

So now, you can predict what you’ll earn in an entry-level data science job. However, there are many facets in play that will affect your entry-level data scientist salary.

More crucially-your entry-level salary is directly dependent on the value you add to your company. The more specialized and defined your skills are- the more you’ll earn.

Don’t forget to frequently update yourself with new things in data science. Whether enrolled in an online data science program, have earned a PhD, or have in-depth Python experience – the more you expect to earn.

GUVI’s IIT-M CCE Certified Advanced Programming & Master Data Science Career Program offers you the opportunity to learn the most important data & programming skills used by Data scientists & Data analysts today. Get your start in the fascinating field of data science and learn Python, MongoDB, and Data Handling with the help of experienced IIT Experts & industry instructors. You will emerge prepared to tackle real-world data analysis problems. 

Our Milestone…

Over the past couple of years, thousands of students have advanced their careers in Data Science using GUVI’s Career Program The journey looks different for everyone. The Video featured below conveys how one of our bright candidates: Karthikeyan became a data scientist coming from a mechanical background. Do hear him out as he tells us about his exceptional journey!

The talk session features the success story of Karthikeyan who had the ultimate goal to upskill themselves, similar to yours. It was their consistent persistence and efforts throughout the journey, ensuring placement assistance, 1:1 mentorship, and advanced structured-vetted curriculum that helped them kickstart their career in the most promising field of Data Science.

What salary should I ask for entry level data scientist?

In India, your salary largely depends on factors such as location, company size, and skills. On average, you can aim for a range of INR 6 to 10 lakhs per annum. However, in high-cost cities like Bangalore or Mumbai, you might negotiate for higher, up to INR 12 lakhs, whereas in smaller cities, it could be closer to INR 6 lakhs. Always make sure to research the market and company standards before settling on a figure.

What is the salary of data scientist with 0 experience?

The salary of a data scientist with zero experience in India typically ranges from INR 4-6 lakhs per annum. But, this can vary depending on the city, company, and industry. In metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Bangalore, or Delhi, the salary may be higher, while in smaller cities, it could be lower. Be sure to polish your negotiating skills before all interviews.

How do I become a data scientist at FAANG?

Everyone wants to become a data scientist at a FAANG company (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google), but do bag a role like that you must make sure to complete all these milestones:
1: Develop strong programming skills in languages like Python and R.
2: Gain expertise in data manipulation, visualization, and machine learning.
3: Build a portfolio of projects showcasing your skills.
4: Network and apply for data science roles at FAANG companies.
5:Prepare rigorously for interviews, emphasizing problem-solving and technical knowledge.

Who earns more data scientist or MBA?

If we base our answer on statistics solely then Data Scientists take this cake completely. But Data scientists often earn competitive salaries due to their specialized skills in data analysis and machine learning and in contrast, MBA graduates’ salaries can vary widely based on their field and experience. Both careers offer significant income potential, but individual circumstances play a crucial role in determining how much they end up making.

Do freshers get hired as data scientist?

Of course! Freshers can get hired as data scientists, but you must know it’s pretty competitive. Employers look for strong academic backgrounds, relevant internships, and projects showcasing data analysis skills. Networking, certifications, and a clear understanding of data science concepts also enhance your chances. So build a very shiny resume and you’ll definitely be in!