In today’s climate, companies have more access to data than ever. With that comes an increased need for qualified data analysts to help interpret and use that data to drive educated business decisions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data analyst job rates have been rising and are expected to continue to rise through 2030. Data Analytics is a great career choice for anyone interested in working with data and wants a great opportunity to earn a hefty salary.
While many factors, such as experience, company size, and industry, determine salary, the national median salary for data analysts in 2024 is a whopping $102,232. In this guide, we’ll dive into what impacts a data analyst’s salary, including ways to boost your salary or even get started in data analytics as a brand-new career.
Table of contents
What does a Data Analyst do?
How much can a Data Analyst expect to earn?
How to become a Data Analyst?
What does a Data Analyst do?
As the name implies, a Data Analyst works with data! They’re responsible for collecting, cleaning, interpreting, and presenting data. This data is used to aid companies in making educated business decisions. This could be data that influences decisions in finances, consumer behaviors, marketing, sales, etc.
There’s specialized software that allows Data Analysts to work with and manipulate such large quantities of data. Data Analysts need to be familiar with these tools (SAS, SPSS, SQL, Google Sheets, Excel) and understand how to utilize them. The significant part about this prerequisite is that it can be learned relatively quickly through certification programs and even free online resources.
How much can a Data Analyst expect to earn?
It’s hard to say the exact number that Data Analysts should expect to earn in 2024, but the average salary range is around $70,000 to $100,000. It’s safe to say that you can expect to make a living above the national average if you follow a career path in data analytics.
Some factors affecting salary include years of experience, education and certifications, industry, and location. Remember that these factors affect your starting salary but can also be leveraged to increase your salary or negotiate a raise.
Years of experience
The more years of experience you have working as a Data Analyst, the more you should expect to earn. Senior level analysts are top earning while positions in management can expect to earn even more.
Education and Certifications
While Data Analysts don’t need a college degree to land a job, higher education can usually warrant a higher salary. The same is true for relevant certifications. Some of the most recognized certifications in the industry include the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), the Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), and the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
Industry
The industry you work in as a Data Analyst also greatly impacts your expected salary. Some top-earning industries included healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and technology. The demand for talent is higher in these industries and can warrant a higher salary.
Location
Usually, working in or near a big city like New York City, Boston, or San Francisco brings in a larger salary.
Finding your career path in Data Analytics
Data is a booming career path and continues to grow. If you’re considering starting a career in data, now is a fantastic time to get started! A certification program like our Tableau Data Analytics Certificate will teach you the basics to jumpstart your data career. It allows you to practice hands-on experience using the tools used in the industry. You’ll be able to understand how to make informed decisions using Tableau, spreadsheets, and SQL. After you complete your coursework, you’ll also have access to a dedicated career coach to help you tune up your resume, identify great job opportunities, and nail the interview.
Enroll today to become a Data Analyst in as little as six months.
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