Resume keywords for Data Scientist jobs

The skills data scientist job postings actually ask for, as the share of the 457 newest postings we track that mention each one (out of 1,978 live data scientist jobs). More than half mention Python, Machine learning, SQL and Statistics.

Live data · computed 10 October 2026 · refreshed daily

Top skills and tools

  1. 1PythonLanguages84%
  2. 2Machine learningData77%
  3. 3SQLLanguages60%
  4. 4StatisticsData55%
  5. 5LLMsData37%
  6. 6Data analysisData34%
  7. 7RLanguages28%
  8. 8AWSCloud & DevOps28%
  9. 9AlgorithmsComputer Science27%
  10. 10Apache SparkData21%
  11. 11ETLData21%
  12. 12Deep learningData18%
  13. 13ExperimentationProduct18%
  14. 14scikit-learnFrameworks & APIs17%
  15. 15Data visualizationData16%
  16. 16PyTorchFrameworks & APIs16%
  17. 17AzureCloud & DevOps15%
  18. 18ForecastingFinance & Accounting15%
  19. 19TableauData15%
  20. 20MLOpsMachine learning14%
  21. 21Data qualityData engineering14%
  22. 22Google CloudCloud & DevOps14%
  23. 23DatabricksData engineering14%
  24. 24PrototypingDesign12%
  25. 25TensorFlowFrameworks & APIs12%
  26. 26NLPData12%
  27. 27Data modelingData engineering12%
  28. 28CI/CDCloud & DevOps11%
  29. 29GitCloud & DevOps11%
  30. 30pandasFrameworks & APIs11%
Also asked for: Communication 56% · Computer Science 42% · Collaboration 37% · Bachelor's degree 33% · PhD 27% · Master's degree 25% · Mentoring 19% · Problem solving 18%

How to use this list

Data science postings mix statistics, ML and business impact. Pair each model you mention with the decision it changed or the metric it moved.

Only add skills you've really used, in the group your CV already has for them, and show the important ones in a bullet too. The percentages tell you what's common across the market; the job you're applying to is what matters, so check your CV against it.

How we count: the newest live postings whose title matches the role, re-posts removed, description only. Each skill counts once per posting, with common synonyms (k8s = Kubernetes); benefits and legal text are ignored; soft skills only count in the requirements. The role's own name is left out.

Open data scientist roles

Frequently asked questions

What skills should a data scientist put on a resume?

The ones most postings ask for and that you really have. Across 457 recent data scientist postings we track, the most-mentioned are Python (84%), Machine learning (77%), SQL (60%), Statistics (55%) and LLMs (37%). Put each one you've used in your Skills section and in a bullet that shows how you used it.

Which data scientist skills are must-haves?

Python, Machine learning, SQL and Statistics appear in more than half of the postings, which makes them close to a baseline for the role. Everything else varies by company, so check each ad.

How is this list calculated?

We take the newest live data scientist postings from employers' applicant tracking systems, remove re-posts, and count the share whose description mentions each skill (synonyms count, each posting counts once). Benefits and legal boilerplate are ignored. It refreshes daily, and no AI is involved.

Should I add every keyword on this page to my CV?

No. Add only the skills you can discuss in an interview, using the same name the job ad uses. Stuffing in skills you don't have is easy to spot and backfires in technical interviews.

This page is built from public job postings only. It doesn't need your CV and collects nothing about you. The CV check is separate: we delete your CV from it within 24 hours. See our privacy policy.