Is your business making the most of its data sources? Are you an employee looking for a new career? A data analyst could answer both of your needs.
The role of the data analyst is often misunderstood but has grown in importance in the last few years. From nothing, this role has exploded on the tech scene. The rise in digitisation of the workforce and assets used has sent a ripple throughout the world of IT. We are in a digital skills gap. the arrival of this new wave of industry means that we don’t have the employees needed to advance any farther. That’s where the data analyst comes in.
What is a Data Analyst?
A data analyst is the expert your business needs to assess what all that data coming into your business means. They analyse the data dumps, including things like analytical and customer feedback, and make sense of it. They can then use that information to discover problems with your systems, find potential solutions, streamline your online processes, and so on. Once they have the data and the problems and solutions, they can present it to your corporation in a meaningful way. Your business will instantly benefit from suggested solutions to integral problems that could affect your productivity levels.
In short, a data analyst examines all the information that flows through your firm. They organise it, interpret it, present it, and give you solutions. If you want to produce those solutions in the virtual landscape, you need to advance things down the line with a solutions architect or an engineer.
What qualifications or experience are beneficial for data analyst jobs?
![Data Analyst: Job Description, Responsibilities and Skills Required [Updated]](https://www.simplilearn.com/ice9/free_resources_article_thumb/Data_Analyst_Job_Description.jpg)
If you would like a role as a data analyst, you should start by studying a foundational computing degree. All computing roles require a solid understanding of the fundamentals of computing, which is why we start with a tech degree. It might be in IT, infrastructure, web development, coding, or any other starting degree. Once you have your degree or similar computing qualification, the next stage lies in adding to that degree with skills that set you apart as a data analyst.
Some of those preferred skills include:
- An understanding of Microsoft Excel
- Data visualisation knowledge
- AI and machine learning skills
- R/Python-Statistical
- SQL and NoSQL
- MATLAB
- Python
- Good mathematics understanding
All of the above will help you advance in your data analyst career. The more skills you collect, the better your money-making potential. But just how much does a data analyst make, anyway?
Average Salary of a Data Analyst
The average salary of a data analyst changes depending on where you are in the world. If you live in the USA, you can expect to earn around $87k per year in a data analyst role. Keep in mind that this figure increases depending on your experience level. If you live in the UK, the average salary for a data analyst is around the £28k mark. The base rate salary starts from £20k and moves up the scale to £42k thereafter.
