Data science certifications offer you a key to one of the most attractive career paths of the 21st century. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), data scientists can expect a 22 percent job growth by 2030. Getting a certification in data science will help kickstart your career.
There are many certifications for data science for various professionals in the field. This article provides information on the highest-paying data science certifications, resources to prepare you for your data science certification examination, and the best jobs available to you after achieving certification.
Find Your Bootcamp Match
- Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
- Access exclusive scholarships and prep courses
By continuing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you consent to receive offers and opportunities from Career Karma by telephone, text message, and email.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification is a professional accreditation that ensures a person’s ability to do a job or task. Professional societies, colleges, and private certification firms award professional certification. Most certification programs have links with professional bodies, trade organizations, or private vendors who are working to improve industry standards.
What’s the Difference Between Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between certification and a certificate is that certification is the outcome of an evaluation process while a certificate is the outcome of a learning process such as the completion of an undergraduate degree. Previous work experience is usually required for certification, and while certification doesn’t provide access to a degree, a certificate does.
Why Is Certification in Data Science Important?
A certification in data science is important because it not only demonstrates that you have valuable technical skills in your field but also authenticates your data science expertise. If you have a certification, recruiters and hiring managers know that you’re eligible and certified to practice according to professional standards.
Best Data Science Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Data Scientist | Data Science Council of America (DASCA) | $150,129 | $1250 |
| Senior Data Scientist | Data Science Council of America (DASCA) | $144,441 | $775 |
| Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists | SAS | $140,246 | $180 |
| AI & Machine Learning Professional | SAS | $137,335 | $180 |
| Professional Machine Learning Engineer | $113,806 | $200 | |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals | Microsoft | $99,066 | $99 |
| Professional Data Engineer | $97,602 | $200 | |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate | Microsoft | $95,102 | $165 |
| Advanced Programming Professional | SAS | $91,000 | $180 |
| CompTIA Linux+ | CompTIA | $78,000 | $348 |
Best Data Science Certifications to Further Your Career
The Principal Data Scientist certification is the most widely acknowledged affirmation of a professional data scientist’s ability to deploy cutting-edge data science and analytics technology in novel ways. It concentrates on advanced data science approaches in business, government, security, research, and more.
Principal Data Scientist Overview
- Average Salary: $150,129
- Cost: $850 for invite-only applicants, $1250 for open applications
- Requirements: Minimum of 10 years data science experience
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: 100 minutes
- Best Suited For: Professionals who work with data analytics and data intelligence
Potential Careers With Principal Data Scientist
The Senior Data Scientist (SDS) is a certification for big data analysts and professionals who want to demonstrate their data leadership potential and cutting-edge data science skills. The program is divided into five tracks, each of which has its own educational and professional experience requirements.
Senior Data Scientist Overview
- Average Salary: $144,441
- Cost: $775
- Requirements: Candidates must be well-versed in 4IR technological advancements
- Valid For: Five years
- Exam Length: 100 minutes
- Best Suited For: Smart technology experts with at least five years of research and analytics experience
Potential Careers With Senior Data Scientist
The Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists combines skills in data curation, advanced analytics, and machine learning. Applicants must get a score of at least 67 percent on the SAS exam to achieve this certification.
Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists Overview
- Average Salary: $140,246
- Cost: $180 per exam
- Requirements: Prior knowledge of the fundamentals of SAS programming and SQL processing
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: 110 minutes
- Best Suited For: Statistical analysis professionals looking to gain experience with SAS Data Management analysis tools and apps
Potential Careers With Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists
The SAS Certified AI & Machine Learning Professional is created for those who want to gain skills in analyzing data with open source and SAS source tools. To acquire the AI & Machine Learning professional title, you must complete the SAS Certified Specialist tests in machine learning, forecasting and optimization, natural language processing, and computer vision.
AI & Machine Learning Professional Overview
- Average Salary: $137,335
- Cost: $180 per exam
- Requirements: Strong background in SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning tools
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: 90-110 minutes per exam.
- Best Suited For: People who have a foundation in applied mathematics
Potential Careers With AI & Machine Learning Professional
Google’s Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification program guides you through three tracks, each of which focuses heavily on data analysis and the Google Cloud Platform. The exam measures your abilities to frame machine learning challenges, develop machine learning models, and automate and orchestrate machine learning pipelines in Google Cloud.
Professional Machine Learning Engineer Overview
- Average Salary: $113,806
- Cost: $200
- Requirements: Three years of industry experience (recommended)
- Valid For: Two years
- Exam Length: Two hours
- Best Suited For: Developers with a basic understanding of machine learning models
Potential Careers With Professional Machine Learning Engineer
The Azure AI Fundamentals certification from Microsoft verifies your understanding of various machine learning and AI topics and how they apply to Microsoft Azure services, such as Azure machine learning. A solid understanding of the fundamentals of AI can help you kickstart your data science career and prepare you to explore the numerous technological options Azure has to provide.
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Overview
- Average Salary: $99,066
- Cost: $99
- Requirements: Programming knowledge (recommended)
- Valid For: One year
- Exam Length: 45 minutes
- Best Suited For: People new to AI
Potential Careers With Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
The Google Professional Data Engineer certification program educates you on how to gather, process, and distribute data to make data-driven decisions. It also puts your GCP expertise in machine learning workloads and models to the test, from design to operation to security.
Professional Data Engineer Overview
- Average Salary: $97,602
- Cost: $200
- Requirements: Three years of industry experience (recommended)
- Valid For: Two years
- Exam Length: Two hours
- Best Suited For: Data scientists looking for new ways to apply their skills
Potential Careers With Professional Data Engineer
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate certification develops your complete knowledge of machine learning to develop and run machine learning tasks on Azure. This certification involves running data experiments and models to ensure data science professionals can manage, optimize, and deploy various machine learning models into production.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate Overview
- Average Salary: $95,102
- Cost: $165
- Requirements: Knowledge of data science and Azure (recommended)
- Valid For: One year
- Exam Length: 100 minutes
- Best Suited For: Data scientists who work with predictive modeling algorithms
Potential Careers With Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
This certification teaches professionals to use SQL, the SAS Macro feature, and advanced coding techniques including arrays, hash objects, and PROC FCMP. During the exams, you'll be granted access to the SAS software. Applicants should have prior programming knowledge of SAS 9.4.
Advanced Programming Professional for SAS 9 Overview
- Average Salary: $91,000
- Cost: $180
- Requirements: Knowledge of SAS coding (recommended)
- Valid For: Does not expire
- Exam Length: Two hours and five minutes
- Best Suited For: Professionals with a foundation in SAS 9
Potential Careers With Advanced Programming Professional for SAS 9
CompTIA Linux+ certifies a system administrator's ability to support Linux systems in their early career. The Linux command line, basic maintenance, installing and configuring workstations, and networking all cover the CompTIA Linux+.
CompTIA Linux+ Overview
- Average Salary: $78,000
- Cost: $348
- Requirements: Linux admin experience, CompTIA Network+ certification, and CompTIA A+ certification (recommended)
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 90 minutes
- Best Suited For: IT professionals who intend to use Linux
Potential Careers With CompTIA Linux+
How to Choose the Best Data Science Certification for Your Career
Selecting the best data science certification for your career can be challenging. Researching job requirements and understanding your own abilities and interests are some factors to consider. Continue reading for some pointers to assist you in selecting the best data science certification.
Review Job Specifications
Discover what you’ll need to meet the precise requirements for the job you seek. Several data science occupations demand specialized knowledge. Machine learning, coding, creativity, communication, and data visualization are skills you are likely to find in data science.
Analyze Your Abilities
Since you’ll be dealing with projects that need knowledge in data science, with little or no time to review basic concepts, you need to analyze your abilities to know what type of job will be best suited for you. Most certifications come with specialized training that allows you to learn new skills or sharpen existing ones.
Know What Topics You’re Interested In
A data science certification program may focus on a single area of data science or a certain set of abilities, like machine learning and AI or Azure. Project-based and hands-on jobs make up the majority of data science careers, and having specialized knowledge will help you in your career search.
Which Data Science Certifications Pay the Most?
The data science certifications that pay the most are Principal Data Scientist, Senior Data Scientist (SDS), SAS Certified AI and Machine Learning Professional, and Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists.
Highest-Paying Data Science Certifications
- Principal Data Scientist: $150,129
- Senior Data Scientist (SDS): $144,441
- Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists: $140,246
- SAS Certified AI and Machine Learning Professional: $137,335
- Professional Machine Learning Engineer: $113,806
Which Data Science Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The data science certifications that are the best for beginners are Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, SAS Base Programming Specialist, and CompTIA A+. These certifications help you grasp the fundamentals of systems like Microsoft Azure and SAS and give you skills you can extend out into software, hardware, networking, and even cyber security.
Best College Certificate Programs
[query_class_embed] *subject-grad-undergrad-certificate
How to Prepare for Your Data Science Certification Exam
After you decide on the right data science certification for you, you need to prepare effectively for the exam. You might enroll in recommended data science exam prep courses to equip yourself with adequate knowledge and hands-on experience to pass the exam. It’s recommended to take practice tests before the actual exam if they are available.
Best Courses to Prepare for Data Science Certification Exams
There are various data science prep courses available to prepare you for your certification exam. While some of them are free and self-paced, others are paid, and instructor led. You may consider any of the following data science training courses that are suitable for your upcoming exam.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
- Cost: $3,748
- Duration: 60 hours
- Best Suited For: Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists, AI & Machine Learning Professional
This course focuses on getting you acquainted with essential tools you will need as a data scientist. Its pre-course prep lessons make it suitable for beginners who are just starting out in the data science world.
- Cost: $799
- Duration: 68 hours
- Best Suited For: Data Curation for SAS Data Scientists
Since Python is one of the crucial languages in data science, this course concentrates on the advanced analytics tools and techniques of Python as well as resources for machine learning. It also helps you master data science concepts like data wrangling, data visualization, and machine learning through months of access to a practice lab and four hands-on projects.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best Suited For: TensorFlow Developer Certificate, Google TensorFlow Certificate exam
This course teaches the best deep learning and AI practices for TensorFlow. It covers how to apply machine learning skills to building and training models and neural networks using TensorFlow. It also explores how to make machines understand, analyze and respond to human speech through natural language processing systems.
- Cost: $399 per month, $1,017 for three months
- Duration: Three months
- Best Suited For: AI & Machine Learning Professional
This course equips you with practical experience in machine learning algorithms, data cleaning, and model construction. It helps you understand the foundational principles of neural network design and training in PyTorch. It requires intermediate Python programming skills and basic knowledge of probability and statistics.
- Cost: $1,799
- Duration: Seven months
- Best Suited For: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate, AI & Machine Learning Professional
This course helps you master machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence skills. In this course, you will explore essential data science tools like Excel, TensorFlow, and Power BI among others.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Data Science Certification Exams
There are many resources you can use as your data science certification exam preparation kit. These range from free prep courses to paid options. Below are some helpful resources to help you prepare for your data science certification.
Udemy
Udemy is a top-rated website that provides one of the best data science courses to prepare you for your data science certification exam. The instructors are experts who teach the theoretical and practical aspects of data science. You also have access to quizzes and exercises that improve your understanding of data science.
Udemy Overview
- Type of Resource: Website
- Cost: $94.99
- Ideal For: Beginners and professionals
Practical Statistics For Data Scientists
Practical Statistics For Data Scientists explains statistics in a simplified manner from a data scientist’s perspective and provides a guide on the practical application of statistics to data science. It also explains possible mistakes a data scientist may make in the application of statistics and teaches how to avoid such mistakes.
Practical Statistics For Data Scientists Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $15.68
- Ideal For: Beginners and professionals
Kaggle
Kaggle is the world’s largest online community for data scientists. Kaggle offers free access to online resources that will help you prepare for a data certification exam. In Kaggle, you have unlimited access to notebooks, datasets, information, and new coding tricks. You also get to compete with other data scientists and challenge yourself with real data science projects.
Kaggle Overview
- Type of Resource: Online community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Professionals looking for the newest data science updates
IBM Data Science Community
IBM Data Science Community is a fully online community that provides knowledge in the most crucial aspects of data science. You also have access to updates, blog posts, and group discussions where new updates about data science are shared.
IBM Data Science Community Overview
- Type of Resource: Online community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Professionals looking for the newest data science updates
Python For Data Analysts
Python for Data Analysts is a book by Wes McKinney. It explains the essentials of manipulating and processing data in Python. It also provides a practical guide to help you solve a broad set of data in Python language. The book also simplifies basic and advanced Numerical Python and provides practical examples of how to solve data problems.
Python For Data Analysts Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $40.70
- Ideal For: Beginners
Best Online Courses
[query_class_embed] online-*subject-courses
Data Science Job Outlook and Average Salary
According to BLS, the growth rate of data science-related jobs within the next ten years is 22 percent. This is due to the world’s growing dependence on data science and the high pay for data science jobs. The average salary of a data scientist is $131,490 according to BLS.
Best Data Science Jobs After Certification
The best data science jobs available to students after certification include database developer, statistician, database architect, database administrator, and operation research analyst.
A database developer is a software developer who specializes in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software that processes and stores large amounts of information that can be easily retrieved by users. A database developer must have excellent analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of database designs and structure.
Best Certification for the Job Role
IBM Certified Database Administrator DB2: IBM certification is recognized worldwide, and the certification process helps database developers boost their skillset and their efficiency.
A statistician designs surveys and experiments for data collection. Statisticians analyze numerical data and statistical methods and point out important data and patterns required to make a decision.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Accredited Professional Statistician (PStat): The PStat certification is recognized worldwide and is specifically for experts in statistics.
Data architects use coding skills to build a company's database framework by identifying structural and installation solutions to ensure easy storage and retrieval of a company's data. As an entry-level data architect, you must have strong mathematical, analytical, and statistical skills.
Best Certification for the Job Role
IBM Certified Solution Architect - Data Warehouse V1: This certification is essential for data architects and covers the crucial aspects of data architecture you need for your data science career path.
Database administrators ensure the functionality and security of a database. They are also responsible for troubleshooting problems in an existing database and ensuring the proper management of data.
Best Certification for the Job Role
IBM Certified Database Administrator DB2: This certification is the best certification to possess as a professional in database administration.
An operation research analyst or data analyst helps clients make business decisions by gathering and analyzing data. A data analyst must have in-depth knowledge of mathematics and data analytical skills.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification: This is the most common certification amongst operation research analysts and anyone looking to start a career as an operation research analyst should get this certification.
Best Data Science Associations
The best data science certification associations are the Digital Analytics Association (DAA), the American Statistical Association (ASA), and the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (IFORMS). Continue reading as we look at what these data science associations can offer you.
Digital Analytics Association (DAA)
The DAA is an internationally recognized data analytics non-profit association that aims to advance data research to improve the digital world. The DAA provides a professional network platform for its members to connect and also offers professional development resources through free educational webinars and digital analytics cookbooks.
American Statistical Association (ASA)
The ASA is the largest association of statisticians. Being a member of this association helps you connect with other statisticians and data scientists working in various sectors. ASA organizes professional development programs, professional accreditation, webinars, and awards for its members.
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
INFORMS is the leading international association for operation research and analytical professionals. Being an INFORMS member gives you access to connect to academic and industrial experts whom you can learn from. Members also have access to discounted journals that discuss diverse areas of data science and new updates in the field.
Are Data Science Certifications Worth It?
Yes, data science certifications are worth it because they give you credibility and increase your chances of getting top-paying jobs in the field. A Pearson study revealed that 51 percent of employers believe that certifications improve the interview process while 71 percent of employers encourage applicants to get a certification.
Additional Reading About Data Science
[query_class_embed] https://careerkarma.com/blog/introduction-to-data-science/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/data-science-certificate-do-you-really-need-one/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/big-data-certifications/
Data Science Certifications FAQ
Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is the best certification for a data scientist. The CAP certification is recognized internationally. This certification is ideal for any data science learning path. Obtaining this certification guarantees your chance of securing a high-paying job.
You can become a data scientist in six months. You can do this by attending the best data science bootcamps or online courses. However, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant data science field takes at least 18 months.
Yes, a data scientist is a coder. A good level of coding skill is required to become a data scientist. One of the most crucial requirements of being a data scientist is the ability to solve a wide range of data with programming language. Furthermore, some data science certifications require you to have several months of programming experience.
No, a data science certificate is not necessary to work as a data scientist. Recruiters are more interested in your skills than your certificate. However, in most circumstances, a professional certificate helps you to stand out amongst other job applicants.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
