Data scientists are within a high-income bracket and have flexibility in remote and hybrid work, while having the potential to make between $118,000 and more than $300,000 annuallygettySure, tech layoffs have reached some of their highest levels in 2026. Yes, you’ve seen mass job cuts dominating the headlines. But what you’re not seeing as much is that one tech job, in particular, is surging in demand and job creation right now.The role is data scientist.It pays $118,413 a year, with potential to pay as much as $300,000 and above, and it’s the leading AI-related job in the U.S. right now, per fresh CBRE data.In fact, while total U.S. tech job growth bumped by only 1.8% in 2025, the field for data scientists has been exceptionally promising, by contrast, surging 12.4%.What’s even more intriguing is that this career path is most in demand in an industry that just added more than 90,000 tech jobs to the market.While non-AI tech job postings may have fallen 60% in the U.S., three sectors showed strong, promising growth projections for AI specialist tech talent:TechnologyProfessional/business servicesFIRE industries (finance, insurance, and real estate)The FIRE sector is where the real tech job growth lies. Since 2022, it has added more than 90,000 new tech jobs — more than any other U.S. industry. For data scientists, FIRE industries increased job postings by about 13.8%, or 5,870 jobs.How To Get A Data Scientist Job In 2026So with data science being the leading AI-related tech job, how do you get into this high-demand field?7 Free Data Science Courses And CertificationsEmployers appreciate microcredentials as evidence of continual professional development more than stagnant experience and a degree. If you have little to no background or experience in data science, I wrote an article in 2025 that details seven free data science courses you can take online, 100% self-paced, several of which come with certificates.You can check out these free data science courses to kickstart your journey and deepen your understanding of specific technical areas here.The certifications I listed include courses from Harvard University via edX, IBM SkillsBuild, and Coursera.What Degree Do You Need To Be A Data Scientist?If you’re at an early stage in your career or want to increase your competitive edge in a relentless tech job market, the best degree paths to pursue to become a data scientist include:Most obviously, BSc in Data ScienceBSc in Computer ScienceBSc in Applied MathematicsBSc in StatisticsYou can also specialize in an advanced degree in machine learning, artificial intelligence, or mathematics.What Skills Do You Need To Put On Your Resume For A Top-Paying Data Science Job?When it comes to skills you need to include in your resume before applying for a data scientist role, I looked at job postings from a variety of employers, including tech startups and FIRE sector companies.These are the top skills that consistently emerged as in demand whenever I scanned the job requirements (at a high level):SQLPython/RPyTorchStatistical analysis and modelingMachine learningDeep learningWorking with large datasetsMeasurement frameworksCross-functional collaborationCommunicating and delivering insights to executives and multiple teamsEmployers demand technical depth and programming languages in addition to business communication and stakeholder trustgettyFor example, this senior data scientist role at Roblox pays up to $322,820 annually and is hybrid-remote.To give you an idea of what to expect, here are a few of the specific requirements they list in their job description, which is live at the time of writing:1. An advanced degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field.2. 5+ years of industry experience in Data Science or a related quantitative discipline, preferably in consumer-facing products or consumer applications.3. Strong analytical and technical skills, including experience working with large-scale datasets and proficiency in SQL and Python/R.4. Deep expertise in statistical analysis, causal inference, experimentation, and measurement methodologies, with a track record of applying these techniques to influence product strategy and business outcomes.5. Demonstrated ability to independently drive ambiguous, high-impact problem spaces, applying first-principles thinking to develop novel frameworks and solutions.6. Experience partnering cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Design, and leadership teams to shape strategy, prioritize investments, and drive organizational alignment.7. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to distill complex, high-dimensional problems into clear, actionable insights for both technical and executive audiences.What Other Companies Are Hiring Data Scientists Right Now?For a broader idea of requirements and average salaries for this high-paying, in-demand AI job, some other live listings I’m seeing right now include:A staff data scientist role (remote) at Toast which pays up to $272,000.A senior data scientist contract role at Airbnb that pays up to $140/hr and is remote eligible (annualizes to about $312,000).Capital One, part of the FIRE sector, is also hiring a senior associate data scientist paying up to about $154,000 a year.It’s worth noting that the more advanced your degree, the easier it will be to attract the higher end of the salary ranges advertised in these job postings, and the more employers will be inclined to hire you for this type of role.Overall, if you have (or are willing to build) the technical depth, AI fluency, and business power skills, including communication and cross-functional stakeholder engagement for the data scientist role, you’re very close to a lucrative, long-term six-figure career.