What does a Data Analyst do?

Data analysts research and use data to solve problems, optimize profit, minimize turnover, or streamline logistics, and to help companies make better business decisions. They assess a company’s complex information including sales numbers, market research, or behavior, with the goal of reaching simpler, smarter conclusions, and use their technical expertise to stress test the data for quality and accuracy.

Data analysts collect, process, and perform statistical analysis of data and translate the numbers into a layman's terms. By identifying trends and making predictions about the future, they help companies make sense of how they work. Data analysts regulate, normalize, and calibrate data to extract that can be used alone or with other numbers and use charts, graphs, tables, and graphics to explain what the data mean across specific amounts of time or various departments. Data analysts need a bachelor's degree in mathematics, finance, statistics, economics, or computer science.

What responsibilities are common for Data Analyst jobs?
  • Support and partner with teams across the enterprise.
  • Support and contribute to data collection efforts, as needed.
  • Verify data quality to ensure accurate analysis and reporting.
  • Help identify the business data needed to produce the most useful insights and future analytics.
  • Utilize data to make actionable recommendations at all levels.
  • Develop and execute a regional business plan aligning with program goals.
  • Communicate insights and recommendations effectively to the broader team.
  • Monitor data management processes to ensure data quality and consistency.
  • Hire, coach and develop field to exceed customer expectations.
  • Monitor system performance, data integrity and usage metrics.
  • Contribute to data dictionary, standards, training, and ongoing updates
What are the typical qualifications for Data Analyst jobs?
  • Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business, computer science, engineering, or information systems or equivalent experience.
  • Comfortable with statistics, datasets, and machine learning exercises.
  • Strong critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
  • Has consulting experience and ability to assist with problem solving and debugging.
  • A leader and critical thinker with time management skills.
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.9 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.8 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

Data Analyst Salaries near Australia

Average Base Pay

$96,000 /yr
Not including cash compensation
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Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
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Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Data Analyst Career Path

Learn how to become a Data Analyst, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Data Analyst
$90,000/yr
Senior Data Analyst
$120,000/yr
Data Analyst IV
No Salary Reports
Data Analyst

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
24%
2 - 4
55%
5 - 7
12%
8+
9%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Data Analyst Insights

Read what Data Analyst professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Markelytics SolutionsMarkelytics Solutions
Data Analyst
27 Sept 2021

“I joined this company as a fresher and learnt both technical and soft skills important for career progression.”

Green DotGreen Dot
Data Analyst
3 Aug 2021

“Leadership is great and really interested in promoting your work and allowing you to develop.”

Wild Fusion Digital Centre
Data Analyst
10 Mar 2022

“One of the downsides of working here is that there is little or no opportunity for career training and development.”

CardlyticsCardlytics
Data Analyst
2 Aug 2022

“I don't find any cons here cause everyone is supportive and its a wonderful place to work.”

Professional Financial ServicesProfessional Financial Services
Senior Data Analyst
15 May 2022

“Horrible pay if you have bill and a family — see what I did there ?”

Shop CircleShop Circle
Growth Analyst
2 July 2023

“It was a great learning experience to work among so many entrepreneurs and experts in the field!”

Export Development CanadaExport Development Canada
Data Analyst Intern
8 May 2023

“It was a great atmosphere and I had a lot of control of what types of projects I wanted to do”

NeoDoctoNeoDocto
Data Analyst
29 Sept 2022

“I see neodocto as a company with Great future and innovative ideas to help me grow in my field of career”

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Data Analyst Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of data analysts

Data analysts spend their work day gathering, organizing, analyzing and presenting data. Their most common daily tasks include collecting data, maintaining databases and preparing reports for other departments. Data analysts also identify trends and patterns in data sets and provide meaningful insights to inform and impact important business decisions.

Data analysts are one of the most highly in-demand and sought after careers worldwide. Working conditions for data analysts are usually great as well, as they are largely able to work from home or remotely. Data analysts also have regular working hours from 9-5. However, when important projects are due, deadlines can require long hours.

Yes, successful data analysts get paid well. The average base salary of a data analyst in the United States is $96,000 per year, but their salary can vary depending on experience. Highly experienced data analysts can make up to $112,000 per year. How much data analysts get paid depends on their programming and statistics skills and their ability to query databases.

Working as a data analyst can be challenging at times, as analysts have to work longer hours to meet project deadlines. They also need to maintain deep industry knowledge of the field they work in to give valuable recommendations and hone their skills continuously.

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Data Analyst jobs