Decision Scientists

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDL) does not provide an employment outlook for decision scientists, but it does offer a prediction for the related career of operations research analysts, who use complex mathematical and analytical methods to help solve a variety of issues. Employment for operations research analysts is projected to increase 23 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. “As technology advances and companies seek efficiency and cost savings, demand for operations research analysis should continue to grow,” according to the USDL. “More companies are expected to employ operations research analysts to help them turn data into information that managers use to make decisions about all aspects of their business.”

The sheer volume of data that is now generated—and the use of artificial intelligence to better organize and assess this information—will create strong demand for decision scientists. They will increasingly be hired to help companies and organizations use data to make better decisions. Decision scientists who have a wide understanding of the various departments that help a business or organization operate, as well as industry-specific knowledge (e.g., health care, electronics manufacturing), will have the best job prospects.