Day by day, people are producing—and businesses are collecting—more data than ever before. In fact, because of its rapid growth, the amount of data in the world is difficult to count or even fathom.
As a result, data analysts are needed to wrangle data, identify trends, and create visualizations based on effective business strategy now more than ever.
Data analysts positions are very closely related to job titles like business analysts, data scientists, and market research analysts. The latter two are directly tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are growing at rates faster than the national average.
Instead of predicting and creating models, which is largely what data science entails, data analysts tend to emphasize working on the now. The occupation focuses on the collection, organization, and interpretation of large amounts of data—then using it to help with reviews and decision making. Analysts work with spreadsheets and visualization tools and can effectively grasp statistics, math, and more. Knowledge of data mining, scripts, and programming are also useful.
How much do data analysts earn?
Data analysts make about $82,000 per year, according to late December 2023 estimates from both ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor. The latter notes that base pay may range from $62,000 to $96,000.
Data from tech career website Dice finds that in 2022, the average salary of data analysts is about $81,000. The company’s latest Tech Salary Trend report adds that corporate and government strength are increasingly relying on data analysts—which is driving growth in salaries.
It is important to consider that these numbers may differ depending on location, educational background, and experience. Entry-level individuals, for example, will likely make on the lower end of scales. But again, there are many factors at play, and you may luck out with a higher-paying role based on a company.
Fortune analysis of data analyst job postings found that these estimates largely check out. Many basic data analyst positions found on career websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice do tend to pay less than six-figures but average around the $60,000 to $90,000 range. For those with more experience, it may be worth looking at positions like lead or senior data analyst or data analyst II/III.
Where can you get a job as a data analyst?
The good news about data analyst positions is that they are ubiquitous across industries and locations—not to mention it is a job that is oftentimes offered as a remote option.
Tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google are just a few examples of companies with a lot of data that needs an army of analysts to best utilize it. But also, when searching for a data analyst job, think outside of the box of tech or logistical companies that may typically hire people to work with data.
Many colleges and universities, for example, are hiring data analysts to help optimize operations across admissions and research. Government agencies are also hiring data analysts; if you’re interested in a federal role, the USAJOBS portal is a good place to start (plus salaries are transparent).
Most importantly, search for data analyst positions at places that offer a balance of excitement and opportunity. While you will be spending a lot of time behind a computer and working with numbers, knowing your work is having an impact or is contributing to larger goals can be one way to feel satisfied in your role. At the same time, ensure the place you end up can provide stepping stones for your future—especially if you are just getting started in data analytics.
