As a graduate fresh out of college or coding bootcamp, companies will hire you as an entry-level professional in your field. The same is true with data analyst positions, where you must build transferable skills through hands-on projects to be qualified for a higher-paying job opportunity.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about entry-level data analyst jobs along with the relevant experience necessary to get these jobs and their primary responsibilities. We’ll also show you the different types of entry-level data analyst jobs, career progression in the field, and required skills or certifications.
What Is Data Analytics and Why Is It Important?
Data analytics is a science that involves collecting raw data to gain meaningful information to make well-informed decisions. It also consists of finding patterns and trends in data using mechanical techniques and algorithms. Data analytics aids in making predictions and business decisions to help businesses grow and make profits.
In addition to having experience in analytics, a junior data analytics professional should also have excellent communication and mathematical skills. You must be able to describe why data patterns and trends are important to professionals of various experience levels, so you must effectively interpret statistical analysis and make a compelling argument.
What Is the Job Outlook for Data Analysts?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which classifies data analysis under operations research analysts, the number of data analyst jobs is expected to increase by 25 percent. This growth rate is significantly higher than the national average for all occupations. This means there will be plenty of data analyst jobs to choose from.
Top Reasons to Pursue a Career in Data Analytics
- Easy to learn and start. Data analytics is a high-growth field with various resources on the internet, making it easy to start a career for any candidate who doesn’t have a college degree in a relevant field of study. Utilizing these resources will make it easy to get real-world experience and help you learn data analytics through hands-on projects.
- Job opportunities. With just a simple job search on the Internet, you’ll find several job opportunities for qualified candidates in this field because you can work in multiple industries.
- High demand. The demand for data analysts is high, and it only keeps increasing due to the insight they bring to businesses processes for their employers. As an expert in the field, you will be guaranteed job security.
- High salary. Data analysts have impressive salaries as they are one of the highest-paid occupations in the world today, with an average income well above minimum wage.
- Freelance opportunity. If you don’t like to feel stuck with a particular job and routine, you can work as a freelance data analyst. Working as a freelancer allows you to choose your clients and job timeframe yourself.
What Does an Entry-Level Data Analyst Do?
An entry-level data analyst does pretty much the same tasks as senior professionals in the field. However, they are more involved in the process, while their senior colleagues get to play more of a supervisory role. Junior data analysts must utilize their analytical mindset in data collection, data analysis, data visualization, data interpretation, data cleaning, and database development.
Types of Entry-Level Data Analyst Roles
Data Collection
As an entry-level analyst, you will gather data from multiple and large sources using software, surveys, and interviews. This collection process compiles data to be analyzed and interpreted to gain key insights to solve problems, business growth, policymaking, and profit-making.
Data Analysis
This vital role includes processing, analyzing, and organizing data to obtain helpful information for the company. Data analysis is a skill that has a high impact on the entire data process as it determines the outcome of the data. Data analysts have to find patterns and trends in the data they have collected to gain actionable insights.
Reports and Presentation
When the analyst has analyzed the data, they must present the information to other analytics team members and company executives. Data visualization through reporting and presentations ensures that the other team members who aren’t data experts can understand the entire process and agree on a decision.
Common Responsibilities of Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs
- Data management
- Generation of reports
- Gathering and analysis of data
- Research of business and industry trends
- Spot business and data patterns
How Much Do Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs Pay?
According to PayScale, the average annual salary of entry-level data analysts is $62,541. However, the average salary of other types of entry-level data analysts jobs will differ depending on location and the employing company. This amount also varies based on the job role, industry, or even the absence of industry experience.
Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs That Pay the Most: Overview
| Job | Average Salary | Min. Education/ Training | Associated Mid and Senior Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Quality Analyst | $79,210 | Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or Computer Science | Senior analyst, chief technology officer |
| Business Product Analyst | $61,561 | Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, or Marketing | Senior product manager, product management director |
| Business Analyst | $60,055 | Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting | Senior business analyst, business architect, senior business architect, PMO director |
| Sales Analyst | $51,315 | Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Economics, Statistics, or Finance |
Sales manager, senior manager of marketing, senior sales manager |
| Junior Financial Analyst | $49,306 | Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or business | Senior financial analyst, financial manager |
| Quality Assurance Analyst | $48,495 | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Programming or Computer Science | Senior quality analyst, project manager, QA team coordinator, IT director |
| Customer Experience Analyst | $46,584 | Associate Degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising, or Business Management | Customer experience manager, information architect |
| Junior Operations Analyst | $45,747 | High school diploma, associate degree | Operations analyst, project manager, product manager, office manager |
| Entry-Level Data Analyst | $43,250 | Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or Computer Science | Data analyst, senior data analyst, data scientist, chief technology officer |
| Entry-Level Sports Analyst | $42,224 | Associate Degree in Journalism, Communication, or Broadcasting | Sports analyst, sports manager |
Best Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs: A Closer Look
Data Quality Analyst
These professionals ensure that testing data quality is accurate by monitoring it. To achieve this, they design data quality test processes that will work through complex data and prove the efficiency and quality of the data. This process ensures that the decision reached from this data is correct and will achieve its aim.
Data Quality Analyst Responsibilities
- Monitor data quality
- Examine complex data
- Resolve data quality problems
Business Product Analyst
Also known as product analysts, these professionals conduct market research to notice consumer patterns and trends to develop ways to satisfy their needs and solve their problems to benefit the company or organization. They monitor the product’s performance to predict sales, improve the product performance, and make recommendations.
Business Product Analyst Responsibilities
- Conduct market research
- Product evaluation and performance forecasting
- Produce reports and presentations based on research findings
Business Analyst
Business analysts work with organizations to run market analyses of their products and profitability. They do this by doing research, collecting data from multiple sources, analyzing and interpreting that data to make recommendations, and reporting to the top executives and stakeholders of the organization. They have to ensure that everyone agrees with the decisions.
Business Analyst Responsibilities
- Create detailed business analysis
- Defining business requirements
- Variance analysis
Sales Analyst
Sales analysts work with sales data. They compile, examine, and analyze sales data to find trends in an industry for business and customers. They then report their findings to their team members and the company management. The company uses the information from data analysis to predict sales and make data-driven decisions for the company’s benefit.
Sales Analyst Responsibilities
- Analyze sales data
- Review customers
- Create detailed reports
Junior Financial Analyst
The main point on a financial analyst resume would be that they perform financial planning, forecasting, analysis, projection, and reporting for an organization or company. They have to monitor the accounting team to ensure that they are accurate. They also compare financial plans with outcomes to make better predictions and strategic decisions for the company.
Junior Financial Analyst Responsibilities
- Analyze business financial data and performance
- Explore investment opportunities
- Prepare and present analysis reports
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality assurance (QA) analysts are professionals who test the quality of data, software, and programs to ensure that they are functional and reliable before going into the market. QA analysts have to stay updated on market trends to verify that the quality of the product is of the industry standard. They also make recommendations to improve the quality of products.
Quality Assurance Analyst Responsibilities
- Create and carry out product testing plans
- Conduct software audits
- Create and perform quality testing procedures
Customer Experience Analyst
A customer experience analyst ensures that the customers of a brand or organization are satisfied and have good experiences with it. They collect data on customer satisfaction and feedback, analyze the data, interpret it, and make reports to the company’s management. They make recommendations to ensure that a company has high customer reviews and satisfaction.
Customer Experience Analyst Responsibilities
- Collect and interpret customer satisfaction data
- Create reports on findings
- Respond to customer queries
Junior Operations Analyst
These professionals are also known as operational analysts. They are in charge of gathering data on a company’s policy, operations, and procedures to look for any shortcomings and make recommendations to improve them. They must ensure that the company provides excellent service and performs up to expectations or predictions.
Junior Operations Analyst Responsibilities
- Review company policies
- Review company data to find areas of improvement
- Make recommendations based on findings
Entry-Level Data Analyst
Data analysts are responsible for gathering data from a wide variety of sources. They do the cleaning, analyzing, testing, and interpreting of data to gain meaningful information that professionals can use to improve the performance of a business, organization, or person. They help companies make well-informed decisions by making predictions.
Entry-Level Data Analyst Responsibilities
- Identify sources for data collection
- Collect and analyze data
- Report and present findings
Entry-Level Sports Analyst
These sports experts compile information on sports and athletes to make accurate predictions, provide commentaries, and make recommendations. These professionals often work for TV stations or radio shows as hosts or guests. However, the role may change based on the employer and area of expertise.
Entry-Level Sports Analyst Responsibilities
- Research relevant sports information, patterns, and trends
- Provide insights on sports events during a game broadcast
- Analyze athletes and sports team performance
What Types of Companies Hire Entry-Level Data Analysts?
Numerous companies in different industries can hire entry-level data analysts. Some sectors that employ data analysts are business intelligence and finance. Even the healthcare industry and ecommerce marketplace need entry-level data analysts.
Career Progression: Mid and Senior-Level Data Analyst Roles
Mid-Level Data Analyst Jobs
Data Analyst
- Average salary: $62,505
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level data analyst, data entry analyst, business analyst
- Responsibilities: Design and maintain data systems and databases; data mining; data interpretation; data analysis; report and presentation
Healthcare Analyst
- Average salary: $66,833
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level healthcare analyst, health research analyst, data entry analyst
- Responsibilities: Research and collect data; prepare and organize healthcare policies; build models and analyze; present reports on findings; suggest solutions and improvements
Social Data Analyst
- Average salary: $69,978
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level social data analyst, social media manager, social media specialist
- Responsibilities: Analyze user engagement; report on social media web traffic; assess the success of social media campaigns; identify business industry trends
Systems Analyst
- Average salary: $67,636
- Related entry-level roles: Software entry business analyst, associate systems engineer, help desk analyst
- Responsibilities: Analyze the IT system of a company; make suggestions and requirements for new systems; design, implement, and monitor the new system’s effectiveness
Digital Marketing Analyst
- Average salary: $53,877
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level marketing analyst, marketing associate analyst
- Responsibilities: Monitor online marketing trends; analyze online marketing data and statistics; develop strategies for online marketing campaigns; monitor campaign performance
Senior Data Analyst Jobs
Business Intelligence Analyst
- Average salary: $70,451
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level business analyst, data analyst, database administrator
- Responsibilities: Write procedures and processes for data collection; develop methodologies for data analysis; monitor data collection process; report findings on data
Senior Data Analyst
- Average salary: $83,887
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level data analyst, data analyst, analyst 1 and 2
- Responsibilities: Collect, analyze, and interpret data; develop and implement data systems and databases; data visualization; generate reports; manage data; recognize industry patterns and trends
Analytics Manager
- Average salary: $99,121
- Related entry-level roles: Data entry analyst, business analyst, data analyst
- Responsibilities: Develop effective strategies for data analysis; design and build business technical processes; recruit, train, and supervise analyst employees
Chief Data Officer
- Average salary: $176,392
- Related entry-level roles: Data analyst, data manager, quality assurance analyst
- Responsibilities: Data management; supervise data analysis; ensure data quality; oversee data collection process; design and execute data strategy; oversee data reports and presentations
Director of Analytics
- Average salary: $129,590
- Related entry-level roles: Information analyst, data analyst, business intelligence analyst
- Responsibilities: Oversee the data analytics department; supervise major data analytics plans; plan and implement data analytics strategies; determine needs and requirements for the data team.
How to Get a Job in Data Analytics
To get a job in data analytics, you need to have job-ready skills and expert training to back it up. A typical data analytics job will require either a college degree, bootcamp training program, or completion of a certificate program from a recognized massive open online course (MOOC) provider.
You can also register for recognized certifications in the analytics field to prove your skills and give you a competitive edge. No matter which path you choose, hands-on experience is going to be crucial to learn even the most basic skills listed in any entry-level data analyst job description.
Required Skills for an Entry-Level Data Analyst Job
- Data Visualization: This is the visual display or graphic representation of data to demonstrate findings, trends, patterns, and suggestions to other teams and company executives.
- SQL: Sound knowledge of SQL is needed to handle structured data stored in relational databases.
- Microsoft Excel: Microsoft Excel is needed to organize data into a readable format to gain meaningful information.
- Programming Languages: Data analysts need to have strong programming skills in languages like Python, JavaScript, C#, C++, and R.
- Critical Thinking: As a data analyst, you need to be able to connect facts, be analytical, and make sound decisions.
Top Certifications for Entry-Level Data Analysts
- Google Data Analytics Certificate: Google offers this certification to complete beginners who want to learn the skills necessary to become certified and start a career as data analysts. Students will learn to use data analytics tools like SQL, Tableau, and R to land entry-level jobs in the field.
- Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP): This is another certification that will help data analysts prove that they have the skills required to perform their roles efficiently. While you’ll have to have a master’s degree to qualify, you need to have less than three years of experience working as a data analyst, so it is still entry-level friendly.
- Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst: This certification is an excellent way for entry-level professionals to learn to perform data analysis skills effectively. Candidates of this certification will have 120 minutes to complete a task to earn the certificate. This works for extracting and generating reports using Hive and Impala.
- IBM Data Science Professional Certificate: This certificate is a great entry-level certification that will equip candidates with data science, data analytics, and data visualization skills. It involves a course that lasts for three months that includes a hands-on project to help students build their portfolios.
- Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate: This certification will help students learn to apply their knowledge of data science and machine learning to the data technology on Azure. Students will have to complete an exam that will test their skills in predictive analytics, computer vision, natural language processing, and speech.
Can You Get an Entry-Level Data Analyst Job with a Coding Bootcamp?
You can get an entry-level job as a data analyst with coding bootcamp training. Some say that coding bootcamp grads are just as prepared for the job market as college graduates. They equip students with in-demand skills to start a career in the tech industry.
Top Data Analyst Bootcamps
Best Resources for Data Analysts
Job Boards
Job boards are one of the most lucrative ways to find jobs in almost every industry. As a data analyst, you can utilize the numerous job boards available today to search for jobs in your industry. They work in a way such that you can apply directly or go through the company website. You can also get emailed a job alert when interesting potential employers fly a job.
Online Communities
These communities have new and experienced professionals who share information on top companies’ latest industry trends, valuable resources, and job openings. Joining online communities will help you grow as a professional, stay on top of industry trends, and be one of the first to know about job openings.
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Online Courses
Data analytics is a fast-growing field that requires its experts to continuously update their skills and meet up with industry trends. This is why online learning platforms exist. They help both new and experienced professionals to learn and perfect their data analytics skills for personal and career growth. There are many MOOCs today that have intensive courses in data analytics.
Is a Career in Data Analytics for You?
A career in data analytics is for you if you have the interests, required skills, and education to start in the field. If you don’t have a college degree, you can simply begin by getting the training you need from your preferred source and working your way from there. Data analytics is broad, with almost endless job opportunities to choose from.
Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs FAQs
Yes, you can get a job as a data analyst with no experience by applying for entry-level positions, internships, or apprenticeships. No matter your degree level, internships and apprenticeships let you gain real-life professional experience while learning.
You can become a data entry analyst by getting educated in the field, enhancing your soft and technical skills, and applying for entry-level roles. You can also make your journey easier by applying for internships or apprenticeships to gain experience.
According to PayScale, an entry-level data analyst makes an average annual salary of $62,541.
A data analyst’s top three needed key skills are in Microsoft Excel, SQL, and programming languages like C++.
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