Data Scientist vs Software Engineer
Data Scientists and Software Engineers both write code, but they optimise for different outcomes. Data Scientists extract insight from data — modelling, experimentation and statistical analysis. Software Engineers build the systems those insights run on. The gap in required skills, pay and hiring volume tells a clear story about where each role sits in the modern tech org.
Data Scientist
1,132
open roles
Software Engineer
7,112
open roles
What the data shows
Software Engineer roles account for 86% of active listings between these two roles — 5,980 more open positions than Data Scientist right now.
Software Engineer commands a higher median salary — $147,146 vs $119,721 — a gap of roughly 23%. Both roles show meaningful upside at the 75th percentile.
Software Engineer skews more remote-friendly — 19% of listings offer remote work vs 16% for Data Scientist, a 3-point difference.
Software Engineer skews more senior — 59% of its listings target senior-level candidates, reflecting the depth of specialization the role demands.
Salary comparison
Data Scientist
P25
$82,022
Median
$119,721
P75
$162,000
Software Engineer
P25
$100,808
Median
$147,146
P75
$186,638
Salary estimates derived from active listings that include explicit pay ranges. Midpoint of stated range used to compute percentiles.
Shared skills
These skills appear in the top 12 for both roles — useful if you're considering a transition or working across both areas.
Data from active job listings · Updated hourly