How Much Does a Data Scientist at Facebook Earn?
Sakshi Gupta | 4 minute read | July 8, 2020 
In this article
Facebook’s data scientists get to wrangle large and varied data sets, shape social media apps that more than a billion people use, and devise meaningful solutions to complex technological and social problems. They also happen to be the most well-paid: the average base salary for a Facebook data scientist is around $151,262, with cash bonuses and equity bringing the total average compensation closer to $200,000, according to Glassdoor.
This figure beats out the total compensation for data scientists across the internet and tech industry, who make on average around $123,846. And, when compared to other Silicon Valley tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and IBM, the median base salary for a Facebook data scientist still comes out on top, according to salary data from the Salary Project.
Dubbed both the “sexiest” and “hottest” job of the 21st century by the Harvard Business Review and Bloomberg, data scientists in the United States are in high demand—and with that, they’re seeing equally high salaries. Read on to learn more about Facebook’s data scientist salaries.
What are the different roles performed by data scientists at Facebook?
Data scientists at Facebook have a few things in common: most have backgrounds in computer science, economics, math, or statistics; know coding languages such as SQL and Python; and can perform in-depth quantitative analysis of data sets to identify actionable insights. Having these skills as prerequisites, many Facebook data scientists also develop expertise working in specific product areas. For example, within each of Facebook’s products—from Instagram and WhatsApps to Oculus and Messenger—data science experts perform data analysis on user behaviors and the troves of collected information to develop product improvements.
Within each vertical, data scientists get to specialize even further—recent job listings at Facebook have sought data analytics experts who can: perform quantitative analyses and data visualizations to help the company attract and recruit talent; identify ways for Facebook to play a meaningful role in researching and understanding the public health outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic; build new systems that can help advertisers spend more efficiently and effectively; and develop risk mitigation strategies with business integrity in mind.
As one of the most successful technology companies in the world, Facebook is a data-driven business at almost every level, which means that there is no shortage of new challenges and varied responsibilities in its data science roles.
Salary levels of data scientists at Facebook
The base salary ranges for the average Facebook data scientist depend on years of experience, education, and location, and the median total compensation can greatly vary depending on whether someone qualifies for annual bonuses or stock grants.
Like many other technology companies, Facebook uses a leveling system to determine compensation and promotions. While the company does not publicly share the specifics of this system, former and current employees have noted that the following abbreviations—coupled with a number—are used to connote both the track a person is on and their level.
IC: Individual Contributor
L: Level
E: Engineer
T: Technical
M: Manager
D: Director
- INTERNS: Facebook interns are among the most well-paid in the industry and make $8,000/month during their summer internship. Interns also receive additional benefits such as airfare to and from the city where they are completing their internship, a housing stipend, and complimentary meals and shuttle services.
- IC3-IC4: For entry-level data science roles, IC3s typically hold an undergraduate degree, and are expected to rise through the ranks to IC4 and IC5 over the course of a few years.
- IC5-IC6 and beyond: IC5 is considered a “terminal” level before a career data scientist gets into management territory. From IC6 and beyond, data scientists progressively gain seniority as managers, culminating at the director level.
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Entry-level data scientist salary at Facebook
Entry-level data science positions, including internships and roles held by those actively pursuing advanced degrees, typically require fluency in at least one scripting language such as Python or PHP, and familiarity with SQL. In addition, applicants need to show that they have experience with solving analytical problems using quantitative approaches, and are comfortable with manipulating and analyzing complex, high-volume data from varying sources.
The average entry-level Facebook data scientist salary is around $153,046, with additional compensation in cash and stock bonuses ranging from $10,000-$32,000.
Senior-level data scientist salary at Facebook
Senior-level data science positions that aren’t management roles typically require a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, economics, or a related field. Depending on the area of specialization, a master’s degree or Ph.D. in machine learning might also be required, in addition to prerequisite knowledge of coding and scripting languages and proven experience working in analytics.
The average senior-level Facebook data scientist salary is around $166,742, with additional compensation in cash and stock bonuses ranging from $13,000-$96,000.
Stock options at Facebook
Facebook rewards its employees with cash and stock bonuses based on employee performance and the contribution they make toward the company achieving its goals, such as growing the user base; increasing sharing, engagement, and utility; achieving revenue growth; improving product quality and brand; and making progress toward long-term investments.
The company calculates bonus plan payouts using a formula that takes into account an employee’s base salary, an individual’s bonus target percentage, an individual’s performance percentage, and the company’s performance percentages. It is not uncommon for a bonus payout to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Benefits at Facebook
In addition to generous base salaries and bonuses, Facebook employees also receive benefits and perks. Some of the benefits include:
- Complete coverage health insurance
- 21 days paid time off each year, with 30 days off to recharge once every five years
- Unlimited sick leave
- Four months of parental leave
- Childcare reimbursement
- Egg freezing and other fertility services
- Gym and wellness reimbursement
- Complimentary meals and snacks
- Remote work opportunities
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