Skill Demand Index
Data Science — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 34 scored job postings out of 4,995 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0.7%
Demand Rate
L2
Median Depth
38%
Gap Rate
34
Jobs Analyzed
Basic
Most employers want Data Science at basic competency with practical application.
Overview
What is Data Science?
Market context for Data Science in the current job market
Data Science is required in 0.7% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for Data Science typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for Data Science:
- •Required in 0.7% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
- •Employers typically expect L2 depth — foundational knowledge with practical application
- •Most demand comes from Data Science / ML roles — 53% of all Data Science jobs
- •Median salary for roles requiring Data Science: $202K vs $133K for roles that don't — a $60K difference
What L2 means in practice:
L2 (Basic) means you’ve built small things with Data Science — personal projects or bootcamp work. Employers accept this for junior roles.
This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used Data Science once or twice. They want evidence of professional application — shipped work, measurable outcomes, and the ability to operate independently.
Common skill gaps:
The gap rate of 38% means a notable portion of candidates fall short on Data Science. Addressing this gap directly in your application materials gives you an edge.
Which roles need Data Science most:
Data Science / ML positions drive 53% of demand. Other and Software Engineering also frequently list Data Science as a requirement. Skills commonly paired with Data Science include SQL and Python.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match Data Science requirements across 34 scored evaluations
Average depth: L1.9·Median depth: L2.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How Data Science affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
With Data Science
$200K
Median $202K
12 jobs
Without Data Science
$140K
Median $133K
1217 jobs
↑ $60K higher
for roles requiring Data Science
Skill Demand Insight
“Data Science appears in 0.7% of all scored jobs.”
From 34 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside Data Science
Role Breakdown
Top Role Categories
Job categories most likely to require Data Science
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often Data Science is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
Moderate gap rate — many candidates lack this skill
When Data Science appears in a job's requirements, 38% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
See how you stack up against Data Science job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my Data Science gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
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