Data Scientists
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 6 of 54 tasks
Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.5% of the role's time · $998M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · all three pass it
Write new functions or applications in programming languages to conduct analyses.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 1.9% of the role's time · $535M · all three pass it
Track the flow of work forms, including in-house data flow or electronic forms transfer.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 1.8% of the role's time · $531M · passed by Claude Sonnet, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.2% of the role's time · $1.2B · waiting on a check
Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 4.0% of the role's time · $1.1B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.4% of the role's time · $985M
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.2% of the role's time · $939M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.7% of the role's time · $786M
Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.6% of the role's time · $743M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support recommendations for action.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.2% of the role's time · $622M
Supervise the work of data management project staff.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $607M
Identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $604M
Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · waiting on a check
Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · waiting on a check
Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Identify solutions to business problems, such as budgeting, staffing, and marketing decisions, using the results of data analysis.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Propose solutions in engineering, the sciences, and other fields using mathematical theories and techniques.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Read scientific articles, conference papers, or other sources of research to identify emerging analytic trends and technologies.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M · waiting on a check
Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $602M
Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $594M
Collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.0% of the role's time · $590M · waiting on a check
Create business intelligence tools or systems, including design of related databases, spreadsheets, or outputs.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.9% of the role's time · $540M
Conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 1.8% of the role's time · $530M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Prepare data analysis listings and activity, performance, or progress reports.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.7% of the role's time · $502M · waiting on a check
Identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.7% of the role's time · $482M
Disseminate information regarding tools, reports, or metadata enhancements.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.6% of the role's time · $452M · waiting on a check
Analyze competitive market strategies through analysis of related product, market, or share trends.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.5% of the role's time · $428M
Evaluate processes and technologies, and suggest revisions to increase productivity and efficiency.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.4% of the role's time · $419M
Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.4% of the role's time · $397M · waiting on a check
Communicate with customers, competitors, suppliers, professional organizations, or others to stay abreast of industry or business trends.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.3% of the role's time · $388M
Contribute to the compilation, organization, and production of protocols, clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, or other controlled documentation.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 1.3% of the role's time · $387M
Design forms for receiving, processing, or tracking data.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.3% of the role's time · $381M
Provide support and information to functional areas such as marketing, clinical monitoring, and medical affairs.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.3% of the role's time · $369M
Develop technical specifications for data management programming and communicate needs to information technology staff.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.2% of the role's time · $359M
Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.2% of the role's time · $349M
Confer with end users to define or implement clinical system requirements such as data release formats, delivery schedules, and testing protocols.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.1% of the role's time · $323M
Analyze clinical data using appropriate statistical tools.
reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 1.0% of the role's time · $299M
Perform quality control audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, or proper usage of clinical systems and data.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and a failure is too expensive · 1.0% of the role's time · $275M
Maintain library of model documents, templates, or other reusable knowledge assets.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 0.9% of the role's time · $263M · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Read technical literature and participate in continuing education or professional associations to maintain awareness of current database technology and best practices.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.9% of the role's time · $254M
Create or review technical design documentation to ensure the accurate development of reporting solutions.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.9% of the role's time · $247M
Train staff on technical procedures or software program usage.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.8% of the role's time · $219M
Analyze technology trends to identify markets for future product development or to improve sales of existing products.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 0.7% of the role's time · $213M
Write work instruction manuals, data capture guidelines, or standard operating procedures.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.7% of the role's time · $192M
Develop or select specific software programs for various research scenarios.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.4% of the role's time · $108M
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 27,880 | $3.7B | $500M | $147M |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 26,100 | $3.7B | $494M | $145M |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 13,990 | $1.7B | $232M | $68.1M |
| Insurance Carriers | 13,630 | $1.6B | $212M | $62.2M |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 12,280 | $1.5B | $208M | $61.0M |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | 11,140 | $1.5B | $199M | $58.4M |
| Software Publishers | 9100 | $1.4B | $192M | $56.3M |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 8860 | $1.1B | $145M | $42.6M |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | 6340 | $937M | $125M | $36.9M |
| Employment Services | 7950 | $905M | $121M | $35.6M |