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4 Data Analyst Career Paths: Your Guide to Leveling Up
Getting a job as a data analyst can open up a variety of exciting career paths, including data science, management, consulting, or specialization.
April 16, 2021
Article
As an advanced data analyst, you’ll lead complex data analysis and complete them with accuracy and efficiency. The resources below can help you develop the right skills to advance as a data analyst.
Grow your data analysis expertise
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Sampling (Statistics), Data Ethics, Data Visualization Software, Data Presentation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Data Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Tableau Software, Data Manipulation, Advanced Analytics, Data Cleansing, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Analysis, Jupyter
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Interviewing Skills, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics), Analytics, Stakeholder Management
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, Business Analytics, Data Science, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Interviewing Skills, Portfolio Management
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Advanced data analysts deepen their expertise in data analysis by integrating methodologies like statistics, math, programming, and machine learning. They take on more leadership and management responsibilities, advising teams on data-driven recommendations.
Furthering your career as a data analyst means taking on tasks like building regression and other statistical models to interpret data. You’ll create more elaborate data visualizations, using tools to convey complex data so that it tells a compelling story. While it is not required, you might decide to pursue a graduate degree in data analytics or data science to demonstrate your dedication to professional development.
Advance in your data analyst career with these resources:
Senior data analysts make an average annual base salary of $112,638, according to Glassdoor. These roles typically require five years of experience. Salaries only go up as you advance, so a data analytics manager makes an average base salary of $126,134**. Glassdoor. “Senior Data Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-data-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm.” Accessed February 5, 2024. **Glassdoor. “Data Analytics Manager Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/principal-user-experience-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,34.htm.” Accessed February 5, 2024.
At all levels, data analysts are responsible for making sense of complex data and presenting them to inform business decisions. Senior data analysts use advanced software tools and methodologies, such as statistics, machine learning models, and business intelligence tools to collect, clean, and analyze data—much like a data scientist does. They might take on mentoring junior-level analysts or lead teams to guide business strategies.
To advance into senior data analyst roles, you’ll want to demonstrate strong skills and efficiency in cleaning, sorting, modeling, interpreting, and presenting complex data. Senior data analysts can communicate insights to non-technical stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive business decisions. Continue to build these skills—many who start as junior data analysts can advance into senior roles as they gain experience.
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