In the field of data science, the R programming language has become widely used. It is not only instrumental in the data or digital space but across various fields. Many careers related to data such as data scientists or statisticians have their roots in the application of R programming.
Jobs that use R are in high demand. So, if you’re looking to launch a career in data science, this article is for you. Below we share jobs that use R, their salaries, and how you can establish a strong career with knowledge and proficiency in the R programming language.
What Is R?
R is a software package that is maintained by the R core development team. It is a basic tool that helps in computing such complex data. It is used to analyze and visualize raw and unstructured data to produce usable and meaningful insights.
R is used to manipulate various types of data and to dataset both input and output datasets of information. It is also used for the analysis and troubleshooting of data sources. R programming is highly instrumental in data manipulation, transformation, statistical computing, graphics, and a myriad of other functions.
Is R in High Demand?
Yes, R is in high demand due to the series of functions that can be performed with it. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate of professionals that use the R programming language such as information scientists, data scientists, and research scientists, is expected to grow to 15 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Types of R Jobs
Due to its applicability across various sectors, there are several options to choose from when it comes to finding jobs that use R. Below are the types of jobs that require the use of R.
Finance Jobs
In the financial industry, R is widely used due to the advanced statistical suite that it provides financial institutions. This enables the execution of necessary tasks such as the adjustment of risk performance and the performance of downside risk measurement. It also allows for the utilization of visualizations like drawdown plots, candlestick charts, and density plots.
Manufacturing Jobs
Most manufacturing companies, especially those producing automobiles, use R for analyzing customer sentiments from data collection. R helps companies to optimize their product based on trending customer interests and to make products in volumes that match varying market demand. In other words, R helps manufacturing companies maximize profits by minimizing their production costs.
Social Media Jobs
In this area, R assists in data mining through sentiment analysis. R is used to organize data from social media websites and to model statistical tools which companies can then use to analyze the sentiments of product users, and improve their experiences. It is also used for social media analytics by segmenting potential customers to be targeted for advertising.
How to Establish a Career in R
Every year, thousands of companies around the world hire people with R programming skills due to its high demand across multiple fields. If you have R skills, you could work in almost any industry you want. To establish a career in R, below are the steps you need to take.
- Identify your motivation for learning R. The first step to building a career in R is to discover what motivates you to begin the journey in the first place. Think about why you intend to learn R, where you’ll like to apply it, or what you would like to use it for. This foundational step will keep you going through challenging periods of learning R.
- Learn the syntax. This is an unavoidable step. Syntax is the basic structure of any programming language that allows it to function properly. Learning code syntax is important for the strict interpretation of your code. A basic understanding of R syntax will allow you to build projects as you learn R.
- Take on structured projects. After gaining enough knowledge of syntax, you should begin working on structured projects. A structured project is designed to help you apply what you’ve learned and propel you into new learning spaces as you work to solve the inevitable problems. The experience from these projects will give you enough information to build your portfolio.
- Work on unique projects. Once you’ve completed some structured projects, you should begin building unique data projects. Trying out projects from your imagination is a way to flex what you’ve learned and expand upon it. These kinds of projects help give you an idea of any gaps in your learning and where you should focus your study next.
- Level up the difficulty. The process of learning from a project must be progressive. You may need to build several projects using different skills in R. Ensuring that each project is tougher and more complex than the former will help you improve faster. Your projects should challenge you to garner more knowledge or learn something new.
The 10 Best Jobs That Use R
Jobs that use R are lucrative, well-paid, and have opportunities for advancement. However, selecting the right one for you out of the many options available can be difficult. To help, below are the top 15 jobs that use R, their average salaries, and job outlooks.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Data Architect | $122,718 | 8% |
| Data Visualization Expert | $98,264 | 25% |
| Data Scientist | $97,004 | 22% |
| Database Administrator | $73,624 | 8%* |
| R Programmer | $69,117 | 7%* |
| Statistical Analyst | $68,002 | 33% |
| Researcher | $66,818 | 6% |
| Business Analyst | $62,574 | 7% |
| Data Analyst | $62,541 | 25%* |
| Real Estate Financial Analyst | $62,452 | 6% |
*All job outlook statistics have been sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Careers Use R? An In-Depth List
Data Architect
Website domains are created by data architects, who integrate, assemble, and maintain their data sources. They use data warehousing solutions, ETL and BI tools, database architecture, system development, and other provisions of R programming to execute this duty.
Data Visualization Expert
R has the most popular and reliable visualization libraries. This is the reason R-programming experts in data visualization fields are highly sought after in various industries. Data visualization experts use R packages such as Plotly or ggplot2 to provide appealing graphs and plots for users. This feature has made storytelling with data one of the highest skills in demand.
Data Scientist
Data scientists extract data, transform it into an easier format to understand, and then analyze the data to forecast future insights. These functions are executed using R because it has the capability to handle data efficiently and helps to run a myriad of analyses and machine learning tools. This career option has many opportunities for career advancement.
Database Administrator
Through the use of R, database administrators ensure that all data has backup and recovery mechanisms, making a database available and accessible to all users. This database role is responsible for data design, modeling, and security within their respective companies.
R Programmer
R programmers break down data using their programming skills and create tools that help to ease the analysis of data. This programming job analyzes data using structures such as matrices, vectors, and data frames, which facilitates the efficiency of the analysis process.
Statistical Analyst
This profession uses R alongside their mathematical knowledge to analyze the statistics of a company through the collection, inspection, and presentation of data. They use the analytical and statistical tools in R to provide supervisors and stakeholders with understandable data, which empowers them to make better decisions on revenue allocation.
Researcher
R is one of the most popular programming languages used by researchers to identify, retrieve, clean, analyze, assemble, visualize, and present data. They use R for processing large amounts of data across various fields within a short time.
Business Analyst
The role of a business analyst is to develop workable technical solutions for diverse business problems and advise management on the allocation of resources. By developing these solutions, they advance the efforts of the company through the use of various business intelligence tools within R programming.
Data Analyst
In this type of job, the statistical libraries of R are used to deliver accurate results which helps companies to make careful, informed, data-driven decisions. Without R, the core role of a data analyst, data extraction and analysis, would be impossible.
Real Estate Analyst
A real estate analyst provides accurate financial analysis to support or discourage the sale or acquisition of certain private or corporate property. With the use of R, they are able to analyze, understand, and interpret data from economic conditions and market trends. They then use this data to provide professional advice to companies and firms in the real estate sector.
Should You Get a Job in R?
If you are looking to start a career in data science then you should get a job in R. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for data science skills is on the rise but the supply is quite low. Apart from increasing your chances of landing a high-paying job, it broadens your options of sectors to work in. Even without a degree, you can land a job in R by registering for and attending coding bootcamps, where you will be trained in R and other programming languages.
Jobs That Use R FAQ
Yes, R is applicable in a wide variety of fields such as healthcare, finance, real estate, commerce, and educational research.
Yes, the average salary of a data scientist is $97,004 per year. Professionals with in-depth knowledge of R can also find well-paying career opportunities as data architects, database administrators, and researchers. Salaries climb higher if you choose to pursue career advancement in roles such as senior data analyst or analyst manager.
Yes, you can. Apart from attending a university, you can leverage online resources like bootcamps, where you will be trained in R and other programming languages. Online resources such as tutorial videos and ebooks can also help build your skills and prepare you for a career path in R.
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Jobs that require R include data architect, analyst manager, market researcher, business analyst, and senior data analyst.
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