What Does a Data Analyst Do?
A data analyst transforms data into insights that inform strategic and operational decisions. They collect, clean, and organize data from various sources, then apply analytical methods to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities. Their work supports functions such as marketing optimization, financial forecasting, operational efficiency, and customer behavior analysis.
Data analysts use tools like SQL, Excel, and data visualization platforms to communicate findings in a way that’s actionable for stakeholders. Whether building dashboards, performing ad hoc queries, or contributing to long-term business intelligence strategies, they help organizations make data-informed decisions that improve outcomes and reduce risk.
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Data Analyst Core Responsibilities
- Collect, clean, and validate data from multiple internal and external sources
- Perform exploratory and statistical analyses to uncover patterns and trends
- Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and KPIs using visualization tools
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define business questions and analytical needs
- Translate data insights into clear, actionable recommendations
- Support data-driven decision-making across departments
- Monitor data quality and suggest improvements in data collection or structure
- Document analysis processes and create reproducible workflows
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SQL for querying relational databases
- Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and formulas
- Experience with BI and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker)
- Familiarity with statistics and data modeling techniques
- Basic scripting skills in Python or R (often preferred)
Soft skills
- Analytical mindset with attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to explain technical findings to non-technical audiences
- Time management and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in data analytics, statistics, business, economics, or a related field
Certifications
Not required, but recommended certifications include Google Data Analytics Certificate, Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate, and Tableau Desktop Specialist.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with large or complex datasets
- Familiarity with cloud data platforms (e.g., BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake)
- Exposure to A/B testing, marketing attribution, or financial modeling
- Background in data governance or compliance-related reporting
National Average Salary
Data analyst salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Data Analyst is:
$86,520
Sample Job Description Templates for Data Analysts
Marketing Data Analyst
Position Overview
A marketing data analyst evaluates campaign performance, audience behavior, and channel attribution to drive marketing strategy and spend efficiency. They transform data from digital platforms into actionable insights for customer acquisition, retention, and engagement.
Responsibilities
- Analyze campaign performance across email, paid media, SEO, and social platforms
- Build and maintain dashboards to track KPIs like conversion rate, CAC, and ROAS
- Conduct customer segmentation, lifetime value analysis, and funnel optimization
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams on targeting and personalization strategies
- Integrate data from CRM, ad platforms, and web analytics tools
- Provide insights and recommendations for budget allocation and messaging
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SQL and Excel
- Experience with marketing analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce, Meta Ads Manager)
- Familiarity with attribution models and customer journey analysis
Soft skills
- Strategic mindset with strong business acumen
- Clear communication with creative and technical teams
- Ability to balance detail with big-picture insights
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business analytics, or data science
Certifications
- Google Analytics Certification (recommended)
- Meta or HubSpot marketing certifications (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with marketing automation or campaign management platforms
- Familiarity with A/B testing tools like Optimizely or VWO
Financial Data Analyst
Position Overview
A financial data analyst supports budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking by transforming financial data into accurate, timely insights. They enable finance teams to make data-informed decisions about cash flow, profitability, and cost management.
Responsibilities
- Build financial models and dashboards to monitor revenue, expenses, and margin trends
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes using historical and projected data
- Analyze profitability by business unit, product, or client
- Prepare variance analysis and highlight key cost drivers
- Collaborate with accounting and FP&A teams on reporting accuracy
- Automate reporting using SQL queries and Excel-based models
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong SQL and advanced Excel modeling skills
- Understanding of financial statements, GAAP, and forecasting techniques
- Experience with financial systems or ERP tools (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks)
Soft skills
- High attention to numerical accuracy
- Analytical thinker with structured problem-solving
- Ability to communicate financial insights clearly to non-finance stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics
Certifications
- None required; CFA or FMVA certifications are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with budgeting software or financial planning platforms
- Familiarity with BI tools for finance (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
Operations Data Analyst
Position Overview
An operations data analyst helps streamline business processes by analyzing operational data across departments like logistics, HR, manufacturing, or customer service. They uncover inefficiencies, monitor key performance indicators, and support workflow optimization.
Responsibilities
- Track operational metrics such as throughput, capacity, and turnaround times
- Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements
- Build dashboards for real-time monitoring of KPIs
- Collaborate with operations managers to align data with workflow initiatives
- Analyze workforce, inventory, and cost data for strategic planning
- Ensure data cleanliness and standardization across sources
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SQL and spreadsheet modeling
- Experience with process management or ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday)
- Familiarity with KPIs relevant to logistics, supply chain, or operations
Soft skills
- Problem-solving mindset focused on efficiency
- Effective communicator with cross-departmental teams
- Process-driven and adaptable
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in operations, industrial engineering, or business analytics
Certifications
- Lean Six Sigma or process improvement certifications (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with workflow automation or time-tracking tools
- Background in service-level analysis or fulfillment
Healthcare Data Analyst
Position Overview
A healthcare data analyst supports clinical operations, regulatory compliance, and patient outcome improvement by analyzing medical, operational, and billing data. They work with sensitive data under strict privacy and accuracy standards.
Responsibilities
- Analyze EMR and claims data to support clinical quality improvement and reporting
- Build dashboards for operational metrics, patient outcomes, or utilization rates
- Support compliance with HIPAA, CMS, or payer reporting requirements
- Collaborate with clinical staff, IT, and administration on data needs
- Perform trend analysis on patient demographics, treatment efficacy, or service lines
- Document data processes and ensure data accuracy and integrity
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with SQL, Excel, and healthcare data systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
- Familiarity with ICD, CPT, or HL7 data standards
- Understanding of healthcare regulations and reporting requirements
Soft skills
- Precision and reliability under high standards of accuracy
- Ability to work cross-functionally with non-technical healthcare staff
- Ethical data handling and clear documentation
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, health informatics, or data science
Certifications
- None required; Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with population health or clinical research data
- Knowledge of risk adjustment or quality measure reporting
Product Data Analyst
Position Overview
A product data analyst supports product development by analyzing user behavior, feature engagement, and performance metrics. They enable product managers to make informed decisions about roadmaps, UX, and functionality based on real usage data.
Responsibilities
- Track feature adoption, retention, and conversion across user segments
- Analyze funnel metrics and identify drop-off points
- Collaborate with product managers on A/B testing, cohorts, and release impact
- Build dashboards that highlight user journeys, pain points, and opportunities
- Translate behavioral data into recommendations for design and functionality
- Help define event tracking and instrumentation requirements
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with SQL and product analytics tools (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap)
- Understanding of experimentation methods and statistical significance
- Familiarity with product lifecycle metrics and behavioral data modeling
Soft skills
- Curiosity and empathy for user needs
- Strong collaboration with product, design, and engineering teams
- Ability to prioritize insights for business impact
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in data science, product management, or UX research
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting mobile or SaaS product teams
- Familiarity with event taxonomy and tracking implementation