Training path
Degrees in statistics, math, economics, computer science, or business are common starting points, but the specific major matters less than demonstrated skills.
Career guide
Data Analyst
If you like finding patterns in information and helping teams make better decisions, this job puts you at the center of how organizations figure out what to do.
Explore the real work, training route, pay range, and the parts that still need human judgment.
$63,650/year
Lower-end pay from the source noted in this profile.
$112,590–$194,410/year
Experienced range from the source noted in this profile.
A day in the life
Clean and prepare
Clean and prepare data from spreadsheets, databases, or software exports
Write SQL queries
Write SQL queries or use Python to pull and analyze data
Build dashboards and
Build dashboards and charts that show what the data means
Check whether the
Check whether the numbers are answering the right question
Present findings and
Present findings and make recommendations to a team or leadership
You might like this if...
- You like finding patterns in large amounts of information
- You are curious about what the numbers are actually saying, not just what they show
- You can explain insights clearly to people who don't work with data
- You are comfortable working with ambiguous or incomplete questions
- You want a skill set that transfers across almost every industry
Things to weigh
- Degrees in statistics, math, economics, computer science, or business are common starting points, but the specific major matters less than demonstrated skills.
- Proxy from BLS 'Data Scientists' series (SOC 15-2051, May 2024) — there is no standalone BLS 'Data Analyst' category.
- AI can write queries, clean data, and generate charts faster than ever — but knowing what question to ask, spotting when a metric is misleading, and explaining uncertainty honestly to non-technical people still requires human judgment.
Human-led work
- Check whether the numbers are answering the right question
- Present findings and make recommendations to a team or leadership
AI-assisted work
- Clean and prepare data from spreadsheets, databases, or software exports
- Write SQL queries or use Python to pull and analyze data
- Build dashboards and charts that show what the data means
AI & the future
AI can write queries, clean data, and generate charts faster than ever — but knowing what question to ask, spotting when a metric is misleading, and explaining uncertainty honestly to non-technical people still requires human judgment. The value of a data analyst is often less in the calculation and more in the interpretation.
Salary & outlook
Starting pay $63,650/year
Experienced pay $112,590–$194,410/year
Proxy from BLS 'Data Scientists' series (SOC 15-2051, May 2024) — there is no standalone BLS 'Data Analyst' category. Entry-level analyst roles in industry frequently start below the 10th percentile shown here. Entry is the 10th percentile, mid is the 50th, senior is the 90th. Flagged for human review. Projected growth: 34% (2024–2034), ~23,400 annual openings.
Education path
Degrees in statistics, math, economics, computer science, or business are common starting points, but the specific major matters less than demonstrated skills. SQL and spreadsheet fluency are often the first things employers test. Community college programs in data analytics, online bootcamps, and self-directed learning with portfolio projects are all viable paths. Some analysts start in a domain — healthcare, marketing, finance — and build data skills on the job before moving into a dedicated analyst role.
Fit signals
- You like finding patterns in large amounts of information
- You are curious about what the numbers are actually saying, not just what they show
- You can explain insights clearly to people who don't work with data
- You are comfortable working with ambiguous or incomplete questions
- You want a skill set that transfers across almost every industry
Sources and review
What supports these facts
The latest independent review packet did not include this full profile. The BLS mapping is visible here so the proxy is not mistaken for an exact title match.
Pay
May 2024 BLS Data Scientists percentiles are used as a proxy; entry-level analyst pay may be lower.
Outlook
The 2024–34 projection is for Data Scientists, not a standalone Data Analyst category.
Training
BLS supports a bachelor’s-level route for the proxy occupation; alternative routes in this guide need employer-by-employer checking.
Credential
No universal license is claimed. Portfolios and tested skills vary by employer.
Where you can work
Work settings vary
This profile does not yet include verified workplace examples. The work, pay, and training details above are ready to explore.
Try it
See whether the job clicks before you commit to the path.
Choose one task from the Data Analyst guide above and find a small, safe way to try the thinking behind it.