As educators become increasingly aware of the benefits of data-driven educational strategies, they have come to rely on the results of data mining to access information on student performance critical to developing innovative educational strategies. Delaware has been at the forefront of data driven education initiative. As described in a 2014 article in The Review, a $1.5 million grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation will help Delaware expand its data science program in public education so as to begin gathering information on students and tracking performance from pre-kindergarten onward. The Delaware Department of Education expects that this program will enable early childhood educators to better identify the best strategies and learning plans for these children.But this is just one example of how data science is being used in Delaware.
Delaware’s prominence in banking and finance has also created a strong demand for data scientists who specialize in predictive modeling in the financial services industry. Delaware also had the 3rd highest concentration of jobs in the country for data scientists in logistical operations research as of 2014 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Starting Salary Ranges for Data Scientists in Delaware’s Biggest Cities
Technical.ly, the tech magazine for the Northeast corridor, featured Delaware in a 2015 article and highlighted how the state’s “tech scene is ready for big things in 2016.” With its savvy business community and major investors, insiders consider Delaware and Wilmington in particular to have a promising future as part of the East Coast’s version of Silicon Valley.
Newark’s Delaware Technology Park is doing its part to enhance northern Delaware’s tech scene with more than 50 technology and science businesses flourishing. The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce operates its own incubator, the Emerging Enterprise Center.
Delaware’s thriving tech scene honors local champions such as DeliveryCircle. Considered an Uber for package delivery, the company expanded into Philadelphia and southern New Jersey as of 2016.
Thus, starting salaries for data scientists in Wilmington and Newark exceed the national average according to Robert Half Technology (2016). The technology staffing firm places thousands of jobseekers in tech positions around the country and provides the range of starting salaries throughout the US. These salary values do not take bonuses or relocation assistance into account.
According to executive recruiting consultant Burtch Works, 71% of data scientists surveyed replied that they were eligible for bonuses in 2014, while 91% of their managers received this additional compensation.
Robert Half draws from US Bureau of Labor Statistics research to account for geographic variation in Delaware and provides up-to-date starting salary expectations for data scientists in the First State:
- Wilmington and Newark – $114,000 – $161,000
- Dover – $85,000 – $119,000
- Georgetown – $78,000 – $109,000
Salaries for Data Scientists in Delaware According to Area of Specialty and Employment Industry
The Delaware Department of Labor provides information on data scientist salaries for a number of industries that rely heavily on their expertise (2014):
Statistical Modeling
- $117,603
Operations Research
- $96,949
Computer and Information Research Science
- Experienced – $94,307
Salaries for Statistical Modeling Specialists in Wilmington
Salary data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the salary for data scientists in statistical modeling working the in Wilmington area was higher than the statewide average for this profession in 2014:
- Wilmington DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division – $162,380
Salaries for Data Scientists in Computer and Information Research Science in the Wilmington Area
Shown below is salary information for computer and research scientists in Wilmington (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014):
- Wilmington DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division – $116,140
Salaries for Data Scientists in Operations Research in Wilmington
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the 90th percentile average salary reported for data scientists in operations research working in Wilmington as of 2014:
- Wilmington DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division – $121,420
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics information shown here reflects salary data for broad occupational classifications that include data scientists. These estimates are expressed as the 90th percentile average to reflect the fact that data scientists are recognized as the top earners within each classification.