Junior data analyst salary
Making decisions, solving problems and maximising efficiency in a business or institution requires data in a streamlined, easily readable format. This is where data analysts come in! Finding the right data, checking it’s reliable, interpreting and analysing it requires patience, technical competence and numerical skill – it also takes time. That’s why there’s a whole career path dedicated to it! Since data is such a huge part of operations in any industry – from finance, retail and education to telecommunications, media and government – data analysts are sought after and can therefore command a great salary. Let’s take a look!
Job description
Data analysts translate often huge amounts of raw data into useable information. This involves understanding what the data is to be used for and then mining, identifying and validating or ‘cleansing’ it. And that’s before any of the analysis even starts! The data analyst will then order and analyse the datasets using various data analysis tools. But their responsibility doesn’t end there – a data analyst also has to present their analysis in a way that can be easily understood. Using reporting and visualisation tools, they then write reports, create charts and graphs or use other visual means to present their findings. The data analyst may pass on their finished presentations or be required to explain them in person.
Skills and education
Data analysts are meticulous, can concentrate for long periods of time and have a strong knowledge of maths and statistics. Tech skills are also important since data is usually digitised and there are various programs involved in analysing and reporting data. In addition, data analysts need excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as working with the data “client” and presenting your findings are such crucial parts of the role.
In terms of formal qualifications, data analysts usually have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as mathematics, computing, statistics or economics. Deepening your knowledge through a Master’s degree and/or by undergoing specialised software training and taking data analyst courses, which usually provide some sort of certificate or qualification as evidence, can help you not only land a competitive position, but also negotiate a higher salary. It’s worth noting, however, that some professional data analysis courses, such as INFORMS, are advanced and can only be taken after you’ve gained a few years’ professional experience.
Salary
The average salary for a data analyst with a few years’ experience is £30-35,000 and senior analysts have the potential to earn £60,000 or more. Entry-level data analyst positions can start at around £23-25,000. For a higher starting salary, consider applying to graduate schemes in data analysis at larger companies, as these tend to pay more (between £25,000 and £30,000 in some cases).
Salary sources:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/data-analyst
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-data-analyst
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/data-analyst