Machine Learning Scientist
ONLINE Machine Learning Scientist CERTIFICATION

How to become an

Machine Learning Scientist

CAREER TRACK

Ready to become a Machine Learning Scientist? Follow our structured Machine Learning Scientist Career Track to master essential ML algorithms and techniques—from fundamental mathematics to advanced machine learning models.

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4.9

808 reviews on
10 AI & data science courses
100% online
Content: 29 hours
Skill level: advanced
CPE credits available
CPE stands for Continuing Professional Education and represents the mandatory credits a wide range of professionals must earn to maintain their licenses and stay current with regulations and best practices. One CPE credit typically equals 50 minutes of learning. For more details, visit NASBA's official website: www.nasbaregistry.org
Accredited certificate
Your ML Scientist career begins

ML scientists connect machine intelligence with human context. An ML scientist career blends problem-solving, coding, and analytical thinking. It’s not only about theory—it’s about heavily researching and developing new and existing ML techniques.

Our machine learning courses let you practice building models, working with data, and testing ideas the same way it’s done in the field. You’ll see how each step connects to real ML careers—from research to applied business solutions—so your skills feel relevant from day one.

This machine learning training prepares you to move from beginner to professional, with the guidance of instructors who know how ML works in the real world.

Because the best way to become an ML scientist is to learn from one.

Begin now
Machine learning scientist job
Entry-level salary (USD, per year) $141,000
Projected job growth (next 10 years)
Based on a 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projection for machine learning scientist career path.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm
36%
Key responsibilities
design, test, and optimize ML models
Core skills
Application of linear algebra in ML, Naïve Bayes, decision trees, random forests, Python
Top companies for Machine Learning Scientist
National Registry of CPE SponsorsInstitute of AnalyticsThe Association of Data ScientistsE-Learning Quality NetworkEuropean Agency for Higher Education and AccreditationGlobal Association of Online Trainers and Examiners
We’re an accredited institution

Earn your Machine Learning Scientist certification through an accredited program proven to deliver results. 100% online.

9 in 10
of our graduates landed a new AI and data science job after enrollment
94%
of AI and data science graduates successfully change or advance their careers
$29,000
average salary increase after moving to an AI and data science career
Student outcomes report
Curriculum Certificates Student outcomes Careers More career paths
Overview

A career as a machine learning scientist isn’t about memorizing algorithms—it’s about solving problems with data.

Our machine learning scientist career track gives you a clear path from beginner to professional. You’ll start with the basics of Python and statistics, then progress to more advanced machine learning courses like NLP, recommendation systems, and deep learning.

Think of it as a machine learning self-study program, but with structure, guidance, and projects that feel like the work you’d do in real life. Instead of just learning theory, you will:

  • Train real machine learning models
  • Test and refine them on real data
  • Apply skills to practical datasets

This track is designed for anyone exploring ML careers—whether you’re transitioning from another role or expanding your data background. By the end, you’ll be able to build, explain, and refine models that tackle real business problems.

And once you complete it, you’ll earn a machine learning certification that signals to employers you’re committed to becoming an ML scientist.

Curriculum CPE credits
ONLINE COURSE

Linear Algebra and Feature Selection

Build the math backbone of your machine learning scientist career path. Understand the principles that drive models—essential for anyone who wants to learn machine learning.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Math Foundation for ML

Acquire practical math skills and explore how linear algebra connects to real-world ML projects, such as feature selection—a great add-on for learners undertaking machine learning self-study.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning in Python

Code your first models using Python in our hands-on machine learning course. Practice predictive modeling and statistical techniques that prepare you for an ML scientist job.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Naïve Bayes

Learn how the Bayesian approach works and why it’s useful—a clear step in your machine learning training and a skill you’ll use across many ML careers.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with K-Nearest Neighbors

Discover how similarity can power predictions. KNN is an intuitive algorithm you’ll use to solve classification problems—an essential part of any machine learning scientist’s career path.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Decision Trees and Random Forests

Master two of the most popular ML algorithms. Decision trees and random forests are must-have skills if you want to become a machine learning scientist.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Support Vector Machines

Explore how SVMs draw decision boundaries to separate data. This machine learning course makes a complex topic approachable, and it’s key knowledge for anyone preparing for a machine learning scientist job.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

The Machine Learning Process A-Z

Understand the whole workflow—from defining a problem to deploying a model. This is where theory turns into practice and where you learn the steps that real ML careers require.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Ridge and Lasso Regression

Please select an elective course to finish your career track and unlock the final exam to receive your certificate of achievement.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

The Machine Learning Algorithms A-Z

Please select an elective course to finish your career track and unlock the final exam to receive your certificate of achievement.

See details
Your instructors
Elitsa Kaloyanova
Senior Data Scientist at 365 Data Science | Computational Biologist | Data Visualization Expert

Worked with:

Ken Jee
Data Science Leader | Podcast Host | Z by HP Global Data Science Ambassador

Worked with:

Nikola Pulev
Data Scientist | Course Creator at 365 Data Science | University of Cambridge Physics graduate

Worked with:

Iliya Valchanov
CEO of Team-GPT | AI Educator | Co-founder of 365 Data Science & 3veta

Worked with:

Ivan Manov
AI & Data Science Course Creator | Sound Engineer

Worked with:

Hristina Hristova
Head of Data Content at 365 Data Science | Theoretical Physicist | Educator in Physics, Mathematics, and Programming

Worked with:

Aleksandar Samsiev
Machine Learning Engineer at Empower Solutions

Worked with:

Jeff Li
Senior Data Scientist at Netflix

Worked with:

Neha Bansal
Data Scientist | PhD Researcher in Applied Mathematics

Worked with:

Sign up now
Curriculum CPE credits
ONLINE COURSE

Linear Algebra and Feature Selection

Build the math backbone of your machine learning scientist career path. Understand the principles that drive models—essential for anyone who wants to learn machine learning.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Math Foundation for ML

Acquire practical math skills and explore how linear algebra connects to real-world ML projects, such as feature selection—a great add-on for learners undertaking machine learning self-study.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning in Python

Code your first models using Python in our hands-on machine learning course. Practice predictive modeling and statistical techniques that prepare you for an ML scientist job.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Naïve Bayes

Learn how the Bayesian approach works and why it’s useful—a clear step in your machine learning training and a skill you’ll use across many ML careers.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with K-Nearest Neighbors

Discover how similarity can power predictions. KNN is an intuitive algorithm you’ll use to solve classification problems—an essential part of any machine learning scientist’s career path.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Decision Trees and Random Forests

Master two of the most popular ML algorithms. Decision trees and random forests are must-have skills if you want to become a machine learning scientist.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Support Vector Machines

Explore how SVMs draw decision boundaries to separate data. This machine learning course makes a complex topic approachable, and it’s key knowledge for anyone preparing for a machine learning scientist job.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

The Machine Learning Process A-Z

Understand the whole workflow—from defining a problem to deploying a model. This is where theory turns into practice and where you learn the steps that real ML careers require.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

Machine Learning with Ridge and Lasso Regression

Please select an elective course to finish your career track and unlock the final exam to receive your certificate of achievement.

See details
ONLINE COURSE

The Machine Learning Algorithms A-Z

Please select an elective course to finish your career track and unlock the final exam to receive your certificate of achievement.

See details

We award accredited
Machine Learning Scientist certification

When you finish our machine learning scientist career track, you don’t just leave with new skills—you earn a recognized machine learning certification. It’s proof that you’ve completed a rigorous program designed around real ML projects.

  • Accredited by the Association of Data Scientists (ADaSci)
  • Accredited as an eLearning Quality Network provider (ELQN)
  • Quality accreditation granted from the European Agency for Higher Education & Accreditation (EAHEA)
  • Approved CPE* provider under NASBA—our AI bootcamp qualifies for continuing education credit
  • Reviewed by the Institute of Analytics (IoA)
  • Member of the Global Association of Online Trainers and Examiners (GAOTE)
*Note: CPE credits are reflected per course in your official transcript, in line with accreditation requirements Learn more
A LinkedIn profile mockup on a mobile screen showing Parker Maxwell, a Certified Data Analyst, with credentials from 365 Data Science listed under Licenses & Certification. A 365 Data Science Certificate of Achievement awarded to Parker Maxwell for completing the Data Analyst career track, featuring accreditation badges and a gold “Verified Certificate” seal.
  • Institute of Analytics
  • The Association of Data Scientists
  • E-Learning Quality Network
  • European Agency for Higher Education and Accreditation
  • Global Association of Online Trainers and Examiners

Where our Machine Learning Scientist
career path takes you

Start learning this path

How to become an Machine Learning Scientist—roadmap

Step 1
Education

An ML scientist’s job often requires a strong academic foundation. In fact, LinkedIn data shows that more than 90% of ML scientists hold a PhD or master’s degree—often in computer science, statistics, or mathematics. But the truth is, you don’t need a traditional degree to get started. With structured machine learning training and the right machine learning bootcamp, you can be what employers care about most: job-ready. What you need is the right first step and a strong desire to achieve your career goals.

Degrees are no longer the only path.

Education requirements for ML roles have decreased by about 15% in recent years, while demand for practical machine learning skills has jumped by 61%. This means you can get an ML scientist job without a PhD, focusing instead on hands-on skills through real-life ML projects. Enroll to learn machine learning.

Step 2
Skills

ML scientist careers are research-intensive, so a machine learning scientist career path involves deep technical expertise. The latest job reports list Python, strong math and statistics (linear algebra, probability), ML algorithms (decision trees, SVMs, neural networks), and experience with ML frameworks as key. You must demonstrate your ability to build, train, and test models, preprocess messy data, and apply them to real ML projects. You should be able to explain your findings clearly, making communication a core skill alongside coding.

All these skills are learnable online. Fast.

Focus your machine learning training on building a strong portfolio with hands-on work. A verified machine learning certification like ours proves you’re more than just doing machine learning self-study—you’re ready for real ML projects. That’s why our hands-on practice is at the heart of our machine learning scientist career track. Browse ML projects now.

Step 3
Branding

In ML careers, how you present yourself often matters as much as the skills you bring to the table. A machine learning certification from trusted platforms like ours gives you credibility. And so, to stand out in your machine learning scientist career path, you’ll need more than skills—you’ll need a polished resume, a tailored cover letter, a GitHub portfolio, and proof that you’ve built real ML projects.

Credentials matter. But so does how you use them.

Hiring managers scan for proof—they search for signals they can trust. Profiles that include a verifiable machine learning certification (such as the one we give with this machine learning scientist career track) consistently rank higher in recruiter searches. Add to that a strong portfolio and the CPE credits from our machine learning bootcamp, and you’ll show employers that you’re not just studying—you’re ready for real ML careers. Enroll to start building your brand.

salary CALCULATOR

Bootcamp completion date *If you enroll today
Jan 2027
Expected annual salary increase (USD)
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You can start getting a higher salary in
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Your SALARY OUTLOOK

Are you a good match for an ML SCIENTIST ROLE?

Your curiosity about how machines learn, adapt, and reveal patterns is the spark that drives a machine learning scientist’s career. Entry-level ML scientist jobs start at around $141,000—and demand for machine learning skills keeps rising.

In under five minutes, our free career quiz reveals where you’re most likely to thrive in machine learning.

Take career quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t find what you're looking for? Visit the 365 Data Science Help Center or Contact us

What is the career path for machine learning?

The machine learning scientist career track typically begins with a strong foundation in math, statistics, and programming. From there, professionals build expertise through machine learning courses, ML projects, and hands-on experience. An ML scientist’s job often leads to more senior roles. With the right machine learning bootcamp, the machine learning scientist’s roadmap typically progresses from junior ML roles to advanced research or leadership positions in AI.

Is ML a good career path?

Yes, pursuing a machine learning career is one of the strongest choices in tech today. The demand for certified machine learning scientists continues to grow across industries like healthcare, finance, and e-commerce. An ML scientist’s job offers competitive salaries and opportunities to work on real-world ML projects that impact millions of users. With structured machine learning training, professionals can transition from beginner to advanced roles. Employers value practical machine learning skills more than degrees, making this a career path open to both graduates and those who learn machine learning through self-study.

Is machine learning a good career in 2030?

A machine learning scientist’s career is expected to remain among the fastest-growing through 2030. Reports project double-digit growth in demand for machine learning skills as businesses increasingly rely more on automation, predictive analytics, and AI-driven decision-making. A machine learning scientist’s career path offers not only substantial salaries but also future-proof job security. Completing a machine learning scientist program ensures professionals can stay competitive. By 2030, machine learning scientist jobs will be in high demand to design, train, and optimize machine learning models. For anyone planning a long-term ML career in machine learning, it’s a perfect choice.

Is ML harder than data science?

Machine learning can be considered more specialized and research-heavy than general data science. While both fields require strong machine learning skillssuch as proficiency in Python, statistics, and data analysisan ML career focuses on creating and improving machine learning models, not just applying them. Data science often emphasizes business insights and reporting, whereas a machine learning scientist’s job involves a deeper understanding of algorithms. This makes the machine learning scientist career track more math-intensive, particularly in topics like linear algebra and optimization. A structured machine learning bootcamp, however, can make the curriculum accessible even to beginners.

What is an ML scientist?

An ML scientistoften called a machine learning scientist or ML research scientist—focuses on researching and developing new algorithms and machine learning models. Unlike data scientistswho usually apply models to generate business insightsan ML scientist’s job involves building, testing, and refining advanced techniques. The machine learning scientist career path is research-heavy, requiring expertise in math, programming, and experimentation. Employers seek professionals who can design novel ML projects and publish findings, often blending academic-style research with real-world applications. A machine learning certification can help aspiring professionals become a machine learning scientist.

What are the essentials to begin a career as a Machine Learning Scientist?

Starting a machine learning scientist career requires a foundation in math, probability, and programming languages like Python. Hands-on practice through ML projects and a structured machine learning curriculum are essential to build confidence. Beginners can start with machine learning self-study but often benefit more from a guided machine learning bootcamp. Employers expect proof of ap

What is the salary of an AI ML scientist?

An ML scientist job offers some of the highest salaries in tech. According to Payscale and Glassdoor (2024), the average machine learning scientist salary ranges from $120,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on seniority. Top companies, such as Google, Amazon, and Meta, often pay well above this range for skilled professionals who can design scalable machine learning models. With the proper machine learning scientist training or a verified machine learning certification, professionals can move quickly into higher-paying roles. This makes pursuing a machine learning scientist career path one of the most financially rewarding options in modern ML careers.

What does a machine learning scientist do?

An ML scientist researches, designs, and improves algorithms that power machine learning models. Their responsibilities include developing new approaches, running experiments, and analyzing results to solve complex business or scientific problems. Unlike engineers who deploy models, an ML scientist’s job often focuses on innovation and testing within ML projects. Professionals in this machine learning career may work in natural language processing, computer vision, or predictive analytics. To become a machine learning scientist, hands-on experience with data preprocessing, training models, and communicating findings is essential. A structured machine learning scientist career track helps build these core skills.

What is the salary of a machine learning scientist?

The machine learning scientist’s salary averages around $141,000 in the US, but varies widely based on company, location, and experience. Entry-level professionals starting on the machine learning scientist career path may earn approximately $141,000, while senior ML scientist jobs in top firms can reach $160,000 or more. Completing machine learning training and building real ML projects can significantly boost career growth. A verified machine learning certification also strengthens credibility, signaling to employers that candidates are prepared for high-level machine learning scientist jobs. Overall, it remains one of the most competitive careers in tech.

Is ML a high-paying job?

Yes—machine learning careers are among the highest paying in tech. An average ML scientist job pays well above $140,000 per year in the U.S. (Glassdoor, 2024). Senior professionals pursuing a machine learning scientist career path can earn more, depending on industry and location. High salaries reflect demand for advanced machine learning skills, such as building and deploying complex models. With a strong machine learning certification and hands-on ML projects, professionals can quickly increase earning potential. This is one of the most rewarding paths in data science.

How do I become a machine learning scientist?

To become a machine learning scientist, start with a strong foundation in statistics, linear algebra, and Python programming. Next, follow a machine learning scientist career track that combines machine learning courses, research experience, and applied ML projects. Employers expect proof of real-world work, so portfolios and a verified machine learning certification are key. A structured machine learning scientist programsuch as the one offered by 365 Data Sciencecan provide this roadmap. While many professionals hold advanced degrees, focused machine learning training can help break into the field faster, making this ML career accessible even without a PhD.

Can you do ML research without a PhD?

Yes, it’s possible to pursue an ML scientist job without a PhD, though advanced degrees are still common. Many employers increasingly value proven machine learning skills, hands-on ML projects, and a strong portfolio over traditional education. While PhDs remain dominant in academic roles, applied industries hire those who have learned machine learning through bootcamps. Building practical experience can help candidates stand out. This makes every machine learning scientist’s career track achievable for motivated learners outside academia.

How long does it take to become a machine learning scientist?

The time to become a machine learning scientist depends on your background. With prior coding and math knowledge, professionals can transition into an ML scientist job in under a year by utilizing a machine learning bootcamp. Beginners with little experience may take 3 to 5 years, especially if pursuing formal degrees. Regardless of your chosen path, building a portfolio of ML projects, completing machine learning training, and earning a machine learning certification are essential steps. 365 Data Science’s machine learning scientist roadmap helps learners move systematically from beginner to certified professionals.

Are machine learning scientist jobs in demand?

Yes, machine learning scientist jobs are in very high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 36% job growth for data and ML-related roles this decade—much faster than average. The growing demand for machine learning skills spans industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and autonomous systems. Following a machine learning scientist career track ensures candidates are prepared with hands-on ML projects. With companies investing heavily in AI, a certified machine learning scientist can access high-paying opportunities worldwide. This demand makes the machine learning scientist career path one of the most promising fields today.

How difficult is it to become a machine learning scientist?

Breaking into an ML scientist job can be challenging, but it’s achievable with the proper preparation. The machine learning scientist career path requires a solid grasp of math, algorithms, and programming. Employers expect applied knowledge of and evidence of completed ML projects. While the learning curve may be steep, resources like machine learning bootcamps make it possible for motivated learners. By following a structured machine learning curriculum, anyone can become a machine learning scientist over time, turning the challenge into one of the most rewarding ML careers.