What does a Data Scientist do and what is their role?

Natasha Anello

Head of Marketing at Coderhouse

Data

What Does a Data Scientist Do and What Is Their Role?

In recent years, data science established itself as one of the most influential areas in the digital world. Companies of all sizes need to convert enormous volumes of information into strategic decisions, and that's where the Data Scientist appears. This profile combines statistics, programming and business intelligence to solve complex problems and add real value. In this article we tell you what a Data Scientist does and what their role is within an organization.

What is a Data Scientist?

A Data Scientist is a professional who analyzes and models data to find patterns, predict behaviors and generate recommendations that impact business results. Unlike a Data Analyst, who focuses more on descriptive reports, the Data Scientist goes a step further: they create predictive and prescriptive models using advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. And, unlike a Data Engineer, they don't build the infrastructure, but rather work directly with the data to generate knowledge.

Main functions of a Data Scientist

Data collection and cleaning: preparing datasets by removing inconsistencies and missing data.
Exploration and analysis: identifying patterns, correlations and outliers that provide initial insights.
Predictive modeling: applying machine learning algorithms to classify, predict or segment.
Model validation: evaluating metrics like accuracy, recall, F1-score or AUC to guarantee reliable results.
Communication of findings: translating technical results into clear storytelling for stakeholders.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: working with product, marketing, operations and development teams to apply the models in real environments.

Key skills of a Data Scientist

Programming languages: Python and R, the most used in the field.
Databases: SQL for queries and handling structured information.
Machine learning libraries: scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
Statistics and mathematics: probability, linear algebra and regressions.
Data visualization: Power BI, Tableau, matplotlib and seaborn.
Soft skills: effective communication, critical thinking and the ability to translate data into business decisions.

Job demand and salaries

In the LinkedIn Jobs Report, Data Scientist consistently ranks among the most sought-after and best-paid jobs. According to Glassdoor, in the United States the average annual salary exceeds USD 120,000, while in LATAM it ranges between USD 18,000 and 35,000, depending on experience and the country. The trend is clear: the need for data science professionals will keep increasing in 2026.

If you'd like to keep exploring this topic, you can also read the right learning path to become a data analyst.

Recommended Coderhouse courses

If you want to go deeper into data analysis and applied artificial intelligence, Coderhouse has programs for all levels:

Data Analytics Course: to analyze data with SQL, Excel and BI tools, build dashboards and make data-driven decisions.
AI Engineering Course: to understand how AI models work and build automations, AI agents and AI-powered applications.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a Data Scientist and a Data Analyst?

The Data Analyst describes what happened through reports and dashboards; the Data Scientist predicts what may happen and generates models that provide future value.

What programming languages are most used in Data Science?

Mainly Python for its ecosystem of libraries, followed by R in more statistical environments.

Can you work as a Data Scientist without previous experience?

Yes, if you manage to build a portfolio with practical projects. The important thing is to demonstrate your ability to solve problems with data.

Which industries hire the most Data Scientists?

Finance, e-commerce, health, telecommunications and digital marketing are the main areas that demand these profiles.

What soft skills does a Data Scientist need?

Clear communication, curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to explain complex topics simply to non-technical teams.

Conclusion

A Data Scientist transforms data into knowledge and knowledge into action. It's a key profile in companies that seek to innovate and optimize their decisions based on information. The combination of statistics, programming and business intelligence makes this role one of the most attractive and with the most future in the job market.

If you want to take the first step, you can start with the Data Analytics Course and advance toward a data career. Data science is a challenging field, but starting today can make the difference in your career.

Sources and references

Natasha Anello

Marketing Director with more than 10 years of experience leading teams, driving digital transformation and executing growth strategies. Solid track record in the Fintech and Startup ecosystem, with key roles at companies like Flybondi, Blockchain.com, Simplestate, SeSocio and Coderhouse. Specialist in Growth Marketing, Branding and Market Expansion, with a strong focus on metrics like ROI, ROAS and KPI analysis.