Survey Researchers vs Data Scientists
Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index
A factual, source-backed comparison of Survey Researchers and Data Scientists on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”
At a glance
| Dimension | Survey Researchers | Data Scientists |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,380 | $112,590 |
| Employment | 7,720 | 233,440 |
| Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection | Declining (-5.2%) | Growing fast (+33.5%) |
| Annual openings · BLS projection | 700 | 23,400 |
| Typical education · O*NET | Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| AI exposure · published exposure studies | Moderate · 43rd pct | High · 98th pct |
| Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk | 94th pct · 56% of tasks | — |
| Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index | Automation-leaning (52.3%) | — |
| Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman | Yes | — |
Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.
Skills
Specific to Survey Researchers
- English Language
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Specific to Data Scientists
Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).
Tools & technology
Shared: Analytical or scientific software , Spreadsheet software , Presentation software , Object or component oriented development software , Enterprise application integration software , Web platform development software , Data base user interface and query software , Project management software , Business intelligence and data analysis software .
Specific to Survey Researchers
Full profiles
This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Survey Researchers or Data Scientists — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.
More comparisons
Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.
- Survey Researchers vs Social Science Research Assistants
- Survey Researchers vs Management Analysts
- Survey Researchers vs Statistical Assistants
- Survey Researchers vs Statisticians
- Survey Researchers vs Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Survey Researchers vs Sociologists
- Survey Researchers vs Business Intelligence Analysts
- Survey Researchers vs Biostatisticians
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Singulariki. "Survey Researchers vs Data Scientists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/survey-researchers-vs-data-scientists
Singulariki. (2026). Survey Researchers vs Data Scientists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/survey-researchers-vs-data-scientists
@misc{singulariki-survey-researchers-vs-data-scientists,
title = {Survey Researchers vs Data Scientists},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/compare/survey-researchers-vs-data-scientists}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.