Data Science vs Machine Learning: Which Career Path is Better?

Updated on

October 11, 2024

Have you been hearing the buzz around Data Science and Machine Learning and wondering what the real difference is? Well, you're not alone! While these fields may sound similar, they focus on different skill sets and career paths. Whether you consider yourself more of an insightful analyst of data or a cool AI model builder, it's good to know which one your passion fits. Let's break it down and find out which career path might suit you best!

Data Science vs Machine Learning

Data Science vs Machine Learning: Key Skills Required

Both data science and machine learning require a strong foundation in programming, math, and data handling, but the emphasis on each area differs. Here’s a quick breakdown of the core skills you’ll need for each field:

Skill CategoryData Scientist SkillsMachine Learning Engineer Skills
ProgrammingPython (pandas, NumPy),SQL, RPython (TensorFlow, PyTorch), C++, Java
Statistics and ProbabilityDescriptive Statistics, Hypothesis Testing, Bayesian InferenceAdvanced Statistical Models, Probability Distributions , A/B Testing
Machine LearningSupervised Learning (Regression, Classification), Unsupervised Learning (Clustering, Dimensionality Reduction)Model Deployment, Hyperparameter Tuning, Neural Networks
A/B TestingExperiment Design, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Statistical SignificanceImplementation of A/B Tests, Performance Metrics Analysis, Multi-Armed Bandit Algorithms

Both fields require about the same technical abilities, yet how deep you go into them will be different. Data Science is a bit more analysis-intensive, trying to gain insights out of data, while in Machine Learning, the main goal is to build and optimize predictive models.

Data Science vs Machine Learning: Career Opportunities

Data Science and Machine Learning are lucrative fields, yet they open different career routes depending on the set of skills and interests you have. If you are one of those people who like to dig into data to help companies make informed decisions, Data Science might be your perfect fit. On the other hand, if your thing is making smart systems that can learn and evolve, perhaps you'll be interested in Machine Learning. Not sure where to start try these Data Science Job boards.

Data Science vs Machine Learning

Both fields come with plenty of job options, so let’s dive into some of the exciting roles you can land in each one!

Data Science Careers

In Data Science, much emphasis is placed on gathering, analyzing, and interpreting a great amount of data to substantiate decision-making within an organization.

Job RoleDescription
Data AnalystAs a Data Analyst, the big responsibility of the job description involves analyzing and interpreting data that will help companies make wiser decisions. If you want to prep for interviews, here's a great resource on Data Analyst Interview Questions.
Data ScientistA Data Scientist focuses on extracting insights from data, building models, and helping businesses tackle complex problems through data-driven strategies.
Business Intelligence EngineerBusiness Intelligence Engineers work on converting data into actionable insights that help businesses thrive. Interested in preparing for a BI role? Explore Amazon BI Engineer Interview Questions.
Data EngineerData Engineers create the architecture and pipelines that enable efficient data analysis. Learn more about the key differences and roles in Data Engineering vs Data Science.

Machine Learning Careers

Machine Learning is included in data science, but it may be reasonably considered a subset, where the aim is to have computers learn from data and independently get better over time.

Job RoleDescription
Machine Learning EngineerBuild and optimize algorithms that enable systems to learn and make predictions.
AI Research ScientistFocus on researching cutting-edge AI techniques and applications.
Data Scientist (with ML Focus)Blend data science skills with a deeper focus on building machine learning models.
Robotics EngineerDevelop systems that can physically interact with the world, powered by machine learning models.

Data Science vs Machine Learning: Salary

Amongst data science and machine learning career considerations, salary is one of the key points. Both fields promise and boast high salaries, though all machine learning roles are slightly more payable because of the specialized technical expertise. If you feel that this is the perfect industry to switch over to or get an edge in the recruitment process, then a Master's in Data Science could be the right move for you.

Average Data Scientist Salary

They can generally expect to make anywhere from 95,000toupwardsof95,000 to upwards of 135,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. In hubs that are truly technological in nature, such as Silicon Valley or New York, a senior data scientist could easily make over $150,000. In addition to that, big data technologies and machine learning skills again are leading the growth of the industry. Their compensation is relatively higher because businesses are predominantly dependent on predictive modeling to lead decisions.

Data Science Salary

Average Machine Learning Engineer Salary

Because the skill set of a machine learning engineer is highly technical, the remunerations tend to be higher than for data scientists. The average for a machine learning engineer ranges from 110,000to110,000 to 150,000, but top professionals realize even higher figures in tech hubs. In fact, senior machine learning engineers who work on state-of-the-art AI or autonomous systems can easily reach $170,000-plus, making this one of the highest-paid positions in the industry.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary

Data Science vs Machine Learning: Which is Best for You?

Data science and machine learning should be chosen based on which area you are more interested in. If you are into data to find out patterns that can help in decision-making, you should opt for Data Science. If you like algorithms, AI, and developing a system that can learn independently, then Machine Learning might be your dream career.

After all, both fields have exciting, high-paying opportunities. Whichever path you take, a good foundation in programming, statistics, and data manipulation is the key.

DataLemur has your back with SQL, Python, Machine Learning, and Statistics interview questions. Whether it's a data science role or a position in machine learning that you are preparing for, DataLemur has resources available.

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