Data science salary: What you will earn

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Are you pursuing your master's in data science at one of the universities in Denmark and curious about the salary you can expect with your new title? Then read on to see our calculations for your expected average starting salary.

Table of contents

How we calculate your salary as a data scientist
Data science salary: How IDA’s salary calculator works
What can you do as a data scientist?
Unemployment: What can I expect as a data scientist?
Are you about to study data science?
What is the name of the master’s degree in data science?

IDA's salary calculator

How we calculate your salary as a qualified data scientist

All salary rates in this article are based on an average for employees in the private sector. Therefore, you should only consider the figures in this article as an estimate of what you can expect to earn with a degree in data science.

If you work in the public sector, you will typically be covered by a collective agreement. Public sector agreements often ensure fixed salary scales and annual salary increases based on seniority and qualifications. Additionally, there may be opportunities for allowances based on specific skills or functions.

Data science is not only a master's degree. There are also bachelor's degrees in data science. If you obtain a master's degree and specialise, you can expect a slightly different salary than if you only have a bachelor's degree.

If you have a master's degree in data science, you can expect an average starting salary of 47,500 DKK nationwide in 2025. However, this may vary depending on job type and degree title. Check our salary calculator for a more specific figure.

Data scientist salary: How IDA's salary calculator works

The expected salary is based on a specific industry and a specific geographical area, which the salary is adjusted according to. Additionally, we base it on IDA's salary statistics, which we use to collect salary data on privately employed members and self-employed individuals. We project this figure by 2.0% each year, corresponding to the development in IDA's recommended starting salary.

Below, we present the development of the average salary in the period 2024-2026 in a private workplace for a data scientist profile with an educational background in IT and software and in a position for a consulting engineering company. These figures can give you an idea of how the salary develops and hopefully put you in a better position in your salary negotiations.

Use IDA's salary calculator to calculate a more accurate salary for you. There are many variables that can affect your expected starting salary.

IDA's salary calculator IDAs salary statistics

What can you do as a data scientist?

As a data scientist, you can work on analysing and interpreting large amounts of data to help companies make informed decisions. You can develop and implement machine learning models to predict future trends, optimise processes, and improve customer experiences.

A data scientist often works with programming languages such as Python and R, as well as tools like SQL and Hadoop. They can find employment in many different industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. Their work is crucial for identifying patterns and insights that can drive innovation and efficiency in organisations.

Unemployment: What can I expect as a data scientist?

As a newly graduated MSc, unemployment is generally low. Your knowledge and skills in data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc., are in high demand in the job market.

Your profession works in many different industries. Our member base tells us that it ranges from finance and healthcare to technology and retail. Many companies are therefore looking for your profile to help interpret data and make better decisions based on large amounts of data.

Your ability to analyse and interpret large amounts of data makes you invaluable to companies that want to better understand their customers, optimise their processes, and develop new products and services.

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During your education, you learn a lot, but your knowledge of the tools and skills in demand in the job market may be lacking in real terms.

IDA Campus is a learning platform for you as a student member, where you can learn what companies are looking for and gain a competitive edge over others.

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Are you about to study data science?

Are you considering studying data science? Besides the salary, there are many other factors to consider – regardless of whether you are looking at the bachelor's or the master's degree. Think about how the teaching is structured and what methods are used to teach students the various skills.

The data science program provides you with skills in programming, data analysis, and machine learning. These are highly sought after in many industries, but it is, of course, a very good idea to consider your interest in them.

It is also worth researching and thinking about what job opportunities data scientists have – is it something you can see yourself doing? Many universities hold various events, such as open houses, where you can learn more about the program. We definitely recommend that you attend.

And it is important to emphasize: The salary should not determine your choice of study. Pay close attention to what interests you. Otherwise, it will be a long 3 or 5 years.

IDAs's salary compass

What is your title studying a master's degree in data science?

With a master’s degree in data science, you receive the title cand.scient, but depending on the program’s focus, you can also become Cand.it in Data Science. ITU, AU, and SDU all offer unique programs with different focus areas and specialisations. It is important to research which programs best match your interests and career goals.

At ITU, you can expect a strong focus on the technical aspects of data science, including programming, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
AU offers a more interdisciplinary approach, where you also learn about the business applications of data science and how you can use data to make better decisions.
SDU has a strong focus on applied data science, where you learn to use data to solve concrete problems in various industries.

Common to all of them is that you will become familiar with several analytical tools and gain a good understanding of both programming languages and database systems.

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Our counseling can help you

Our professional career advice is always ready to help you with questions regarding your upcoming time as a new graduate.

If you are lucky enough to have found a job, it might be a good idea to have your contract reviewed. That is what we, as your union, help you with.

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