Compare careers

Factual side-by-side attributes from the imported O*NET and BLS OEWS datasets. No career is ranked or recommended.

Career A (or your current career)

Software Developers

Career B (or your target career)

Data Scientists

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Comparison table

MetricSoftware DevelopersData Scientists
National median salary$135,980$120,230
Local median salaryNot publishedNot published
National employment1,687,890262,440
Typical educationBachelor's DegreeNot recorded
Job zone44
Important skillsProgramming, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Reading ComprehensionMathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Programming
Related careersInformation Technology Project Managers, Penetration Testers, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, Data ScientistsMarket Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, Data Warehousing Specialists, Computer Systems Analysts

Career transition: skill overlap

Skill overlap

92%

11 of 12 target skills

Target-only skills

1

Current-only skills

5

Skill overlap compares O*NET skills rated at importance 3.0 or above for each occupation. It is a measure of listed skill overlap, not a probability of getting the job.

Shared skills

  • Critical Thinking+0.5 level
  • Reading Comprehension+0.4 level
  • Programming
  • Complex Problem Solving+0.6 level
  • Speaking+0.1 level
  • Active Learning+0.8 level
  • Writing+0.5 level
  • Active Listening
  • Judgment and Decision Making+0.3 level
  • Monitoring+0.1 level
  • Time Management

Only in Data Scientists

  • Mathematics

Only in Software Developers

  • Systems Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Operations Analysis
  • Coordination