Data analytics is a fast-growing field and the World Economic Forum declared it one of the fastest emerging professions in the US in a 2020 report. Interest in the field has sparked a lot of curiosity about data analytics certifications in both aspiring data analysts and professionals alike.
This article will look at the best certifications for data analytics, including the particularities of specific data analyst certifications and the highest-paying data analytics certifications. It will also cover the resources, soft skills, and technical skills needed to complete the certification, as well as expected learning outcomes and compensation outlook of data analytics jobs.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification is an earned qualification that meets requirements set by a governing body within an industry. These requirements usually include a formal examination or hands-on projects. Professional certifications can denote competence in a particular in-demand skill, area of expertise, or the field as a whole. Some career opportunities require specific data analytics certifications.
What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
The main difference between a certificate and a certification is in the acquisition process. Professional certificates are obtained by completing a particular course of study, usually as a supplement to other education. Certifications, on the other hand, are the result of an assessment and give a candidate’s skillsets universal recognition within the field.
Why Is a Certification in Data Analytics Important?
Certification in data analytics is important because it gives you access to professional opportunities. Data analytics certifications are valuable tools for advancements in many professions. As such, they are important for tenured professionals to move upwards on the corporate ladder. They also help new entrants to the industry stand out from the crowd and land competitive positions. This helps newly educated individuals land internships and apprenticeships as well.
Best Data Analytics Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty Certification | Amazon | $110,000 | $300 |
| Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate | Microsoft | $89,000 | $165 |
| EMC Proven Professional Data Scientist Associate | Dell EMC | $81,000 | $200 |
| CompTIA A+ Certification | CompTIA | $66,000 | $239 |
| Google Analytics Individual Qualification | $58,000 | Free |
Best Data Analytics Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best Data Analytics Certification for Your Career
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best data analytics certification for your analytics career. Many things, from your current analytics abilities to the amount of previous experience you have, can affect your choice of and eligibility for various certifications. To make your choice easier, this section will go over the most important considerations.
Your Career Goals
The main advantage of certifications is the career opportunities they can offer. You should choose certifications that will give you a leg up in the job market and show future employers that you have the appropriate skills for in-demand jobs at your level. If your goal is an entry-level job, then an associate certification will be appropriate.
Your Budget
When choosing to take a certification course, it is important to keep the financial implications in mind. Other than just the cost of registration, some certifications may require that you undergo extensive analytics courses to supplement your analytics education or travel to an accredited exam site. You should consider the financial requirements and your financial capabilities.
The Certification Requirements
It is important to ensure that you meet the prerequisites for any certification you choose. These preliminary requirements are usually indicative of how much of an analytics challenge the certification will pose. These requirements also represent expectations that potential employers might have for you, for example, certain hands-on skills.
Educational background is usually a primary requirement. For instance, certain certifications may require a background in statistics, especially if extensive understanding is required to get a passing grade. Others may require extensive hands-on experience with analysis tools and the analysis process.
Which Data Analytics Certifications Pay the Most?
The data analytics certifications that pay the most are those specific to particular enterprise software, such as AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty Certification and Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate.
Certifications provided by large companies, such as the EMC Proven Professional Data Scientist Associate, CompTIA A+ Certification, and Google Analytics Individual Qualification, are also rewarding and show prospective employers that you have the appropriate analytic capabilities.
Highest-Paying Data Analytics Certifications
- AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty Certification: $110,000
- Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate: $89,000
- EMC Proven Professional Data Scientist Associate: $81,000
- CompTIA A+ Certification: $66,000
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification: $58,000
Which Data Analytics Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The best data analytics certifications for beginners are data analyst associate-level certifications, such as the Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP certification). This is because these certifications are designed to assess entry-level analytics skills instead of professional experience.
Thanks to this, the analytics certification requirements for these kinds of courses tend to be more beginner-friendly. This kind of certification shows potential employers that you are competent at making sound evidence-based decisions even without endless hands-on training experiences under your belt.
Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your Data Analytics Certification Exam
There are many resources available to help with data analytics exam prep and start you on your analytics learning journey. Several platforms offer data analytics bootcamps that will help you earn a passing grade. This section will cover available courses and recommended resources for your analytics education.
Best Courses to Prepare for Data Analytics Certification Exams
There are several online data analyst training courses that can help you prepare for data analytics certifications. Some of the best resources for analytics certification exams are analytics certificate programs. These courses teach you foundational data science skills and give sample question examples.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Data Analytics Certification Exams
Beyond certificate programs and online courses, many other resources can help you with data analytics certifications exam prep. These include analytics discussion boards, interactive media, and books.
The Analytics Power Hour
The Analytics Power Hour is a podcast that features guest discussions relating to data science presented in a very amicable, laid-back, and conversational format. This podcast covers everything from machine learning and artificial intelligence to data analytics tools and critical data insights. It is aimed at those who learn best from a lively discussion environment.
The Analytics Power Hour Overview
- Type of Resource: Podcast
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Data science enthusiasts
Making Data Simple
Hosted by Al Martin, this podcast keeps listeners informed and up-to-date on the latest in the field of data science with a more professional lean than the average podcast. If you prefer more structured, insider content on the analytics landscape, this is the podcast for you.
Making Data Simple Overview
- Type of Resource: Podcast
- Cost: Free with Spotify
- Ideal For: Data analytics professionals
LinkedIn is a multi-faceted networking platform for professionals and students. In addition to its primary function of connecting professionals to job opportunities, it has a compelling feature called LinkedIn Learning. This is a paid service that offers professional courses to bolster your CV.
LinkedIn Overview
- Type of Resource: Online Community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Professionals and aspiring specialists
KDNuggets
This resource brings the latest news in tech and analytics to the forefront. This site has news articles, blog posts, and an opt-in email newsletter. This helps enthusiasts, professionals, and would-be data analysts. It also has links to other resources, including software, guides, certifications, and collaborative educational features that can support your learning process.
KDNuggets Overview
- Type of Resource: News Site/Newsletter/Blog
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: Everyone
Data Analytics Made Accessible
Hailed by many as the number one read for data analytics, this book presents the entire field of data science and data analytics foundations. Complete with real-world examples and practice questions, this is a great resource for anyone looking to get into or strengthen their knowledge of data analytics. This book is suitable for everyone, even if you are a complete beginner.
Data Analytics Made Accessible Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $4.99 for the Kindle edition or free with Kindle Unlimited subscription
- Ideal For: Beginners and intermediate data analysts
Best Online Courses
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Data Analytics Job Outlook and Average Salary
The field of data science is projected to grow much faster than average, with an estimated 31% growth rate between 2020 and 2030, according to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics. The same report gives an average annual salary of $100,480 for data scientists in the US. This bodes well for certified data analysts who have in-demand data skills.
In analyst positions, salaries vary due to the broad nature and applicability of the skillset. However, demand and effectiveness ensure that salaries are always attractive for the level of qualification and experience.
Best Data Analytics Jobs After Certification
Data analytics certifications can open new doors for data analytics jobs. For instance, Google Analytics Individual Qualification jobs can include any number of positions at Google, especially when coupled with additional qualifications. This section will highlight some great analytics careers open to certification holders, as well as which analyst certification is most useful for each job.
Best Data Analytics Associations
Several data analytics associations offer benefits to the community. Many offer certifications and training to help members progress in the field. They also host events that facilitate networking. Read on for the details on the best data analytics associations.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
INFORMS is an institute that takes a vested interest in all things data. From processing to transformation to utilization, they believe that data science and analytics can change the world for the better. Members get access to a range of benefits, including discounted training, events, and publications, as well as support systems for training, research, and publication.
The institute offers the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and the Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP) certifications for both tenured data analysts and newcomers to the field.
The Open Group
This association focuses on creating, maintaining, and improving vendor-neutral standards for the data science and analytics community. Their organization includes large tech companies and businesses that rely on data analytics.
Members gain access to early insider information and great networking opportunities, as well as discounts on services. The Open Group facilitates its own certification known as the Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS), which is recognized across the data science field.
The Digital Analytics Association
The Digital Analytics Association is a group interested in the maximization of business potential through analytics. The group fosters a sense of community and breeds cooperation between professionals. Becoming a member allows you to join this community and play your part in the expansion of the field of digital analytics.
The DAA created the Digital Analytics Association (DAA) Web Analyst Certification Program as a means for members and non-members alike to show their competence and dedication to cutting-edge solutions.
Are Data Analytics Certifications Worth It?
Yes, data analytics certifications are worth it. They offer an entry point or a mode of advancement in the analytics market, which is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. At the intersection of big data and big business, data analytics help businesses grow. Certification in this field can boost your earning capacity, open job opportunities, and build your resume.
Additional Reading About Data Analytics
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Data Analytics Certifications FAQ
There are several ways to pay for both training and the registration fee for certification exams. Employer sponsorship may be available if you already work as a data analyst or associate data analyst at an organization, especially if your job has adapted to require more data analyst skills than before. Some certification courses also have flexible payment options and loan options.
Yes, certifications are universally helpful when applying for an analytics job, both for professionals in the field and complete beginners. Certifications show certain in-demand data skills that potential employers appreciate.
Certifications are useful for everything from introductory-level data analyst jobs to comprehensive report visualization and other high-level analysis tasks. Some certifications can even be considered when applying for scholarship opportunities and can qualify as industry experience. No matter your background, a prospective employer will appreciate certification.
The main difference between data analytics and data analysis is that data analysis is a specialized, subordinate process under data analytics. Data analysis is foundational and is the processing of high-quality data to gain insight. Data analytics encompasses complete data utilization, including actionable business decisions, while analysis is a part of analytics training.
Data analytics skills and proficiency with analytics tools can be very versatile within and outside the data science industry. Apart from business problem framing and insight from data and reporting findings, there are many other applications for data analytics skills. From government projects to hands-on work like anthropology, the analysis skills and data-driven nature of data analytics serve a range of industries.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
