Approved comparison

Software Developers vs. Data Scientists

A structured comparison of two occupations. The data makes differences visible; it does not select a universal winner.

Software Developers median wage, 2025

$135,980

Data Scientists median wage, 2025

$120,230

Separate signals

What the evidence says

Projected change and relative AI exposure describe different dimensions of work. Read them together without turning either into a personal forecast.

Labor market

Projected employment change, 2025–2035: 10.2% vs. 34.6%
Annual average openings, 2025–2035: 95,300 vs. 24,800

Relative AI exposure

Software Developers: Very high
Data Scientists: Very high

These are BLS relative categories, not automation probabilities or employment forecasts.

Preparation

What entry may require

These source fields describe typical entry preparation for an occupation, not a guarantee or a complete list of local requirements.

Software Developers

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
Typical on-the-job training: None

Data Scientists

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
Typical on-the-job training: None

Where they overlap

Shared O*NET skill names in these records include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics, Science.

Shared work activities

Getting Information, Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information, Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People.

Where they differ

Software Developers representative tasks

Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.

Data Scientists representative tasks

Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.

Questions to consider

Which daily tasks fit the kind of work you want to do?
What education, experience, or licensing gaps need verification?
How do pay and projected change compare in the same source period?
What does relative AI exposure leave unanswered about each role?

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Ask Dr. Morgan Reed about this evidence

Morgan is the JobShift Atlas analyst powered by AI. Answers draw from the evidence on this page and explain what it can tell you.

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