The BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $108,020 for data scientists with +34% projected growth through 2034. Entry-level data analysts with a certification and project portfolio typically earn $60,000–$85,000. Mid-level data scientists average $100,000–$135,000 and senior/lead data scientists frequently exceed $150,000. Certifications from Google or IBM primarily signal foundational competency — employers also weight your portfolio of real data projects heavily. Combining a certification with a strong portfolio of 3–5 GitHub projects is the most effective entry-level strategy.