Data analyst salary

Data analyst salary 

Data analysts are very much in demand and have great earning potential as a result. Let’s take a look at what a data analyst does and how much you could earn in this varied and interesting career. 

Job description 

Data analysts turn raw data into useable information to be used as a basis for making decisions, solving problems, improving efficiency and devising strategies. Data analysts are needed in any sector where data plays a key role (which is basically all of them!), including finance, education, government, marketing and sales. 

A data analyst needs to understand business needs and which data types and sources correspond to those needs. They then mine, identify, validate, analyse and interpret the associated datasets, which are often very large. Afterwards, they present their analysis in written reports, graphs, charts and other visual forms, and may also be required to present them orally.  

This demands good written and verbal communications skills and, since these processes involve data analysis tools and reporting and data visualisation software, confidence using technology. Additionally, data analysts have an excellent eye for detail, strong mathematical competence and are able to concentrate for long periods of time. 

Salary 

As with most jobs, salary can depend on location and the sector or company you work in, as well as your level of experience and qualifications. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, a Master’s and/or further certification in data analysis through a dedicated data analyst course can certainly boost your earning potential. The average salary for a data analyst with a few years’ experience is £30-35,000 and senior analysts can command £60,000 or more. 

Salary source: prospects.ac.uk