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Career guide

Data Analyst career guide

Data Analysts turn raw data into decisions — building queries, dashboards and analyses that answer the questions a business actually has.

What the role involves

  • Pull and clean data from multiple sources
  • Build dashboards and recurring reports
  • Run analyses that answer specific business questions
  • Partner with teams to define the right metrics
  • Communicate findings clearly to non-technical audiences

Skills that matter

SQLData visualizationStatisticsSpreadsheet modelingStakeholder communicationETL basics

Typical pay

Data Analyst total compensation in the US commonly ranges from about $65k to $125k, with a midpoint around $90k. These are broad, illustrative figures — your range depends on scope, industry and location. See the full salary guide.

How to grow into it

  1. Build the core skills above through real projects, not just courses.
  2. Quantify your impact — the numbers are what move you from candidate to hire.
  3. Target roles that fit rather than applying everywhere; fit is what gets responses.
  4. Prepare your stories so your best examples are ready in interviews.
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