Data Career Paths

A comprehensive guide to data careers, organized by experience level. Skills like SQL, programming, and communication are transferable across roles, making it easier to transition between data positions.

Entry-Level Roles

These roles provide a great entry point into the data field. Many skills—such as SQL, problem-solving, and analytical thinking—are transferable across various positions.

Data Analyst

Salary Range: $50,000 – $75,000 per year

Description: Collects, processes, and performs statistical analyses on data to help businesses make informed decisions.

Responsibilities:

Creating reports, dashboards, and visualizations

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Analytical thinking
Excel and SQL
Problem-solving
Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
Critical thinking
Business acumen

Data Scientist (Junior/Associate)

Salary Range: $65,000 – $90,000 per year

Description: Works with large datasets to build predictive models using machine learning algorithms.

Responsibilities:

Assist with coding and exploratory data analysis while learning from senior colleagues
Often work on predictive modeling and machine learning projects

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Programming (Python, R)
SQL and statistics
Machine learning concepts
Communication of technical results to non-technical stakeholders
Curiosity and self-learning

Data Engineer (Entry-Level)

Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000 per year

Description: Builds and maintains the architecture for data generation, storage, and retrieval.

Responsibilities:

Tasks often include ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines and managing databases

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Programming (Python, Java, SQL)
Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Problem-solving and debugging
Knowledge of data structures
Ability to work in teams

Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Salary Range: $55,000 - $80,000 per year

Description: Uses data to help businesses make strategic decisions.

Responsibilities:

Often involves building dashboards and reports to provide insights for management and stakeholders

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Strong Excel and SQL skills
Data visualization (Power BI, Tableau)
Analytical thinking
Communication and presentation
Ability to interpret business needs

Database Administrator (Entry-Level)

Salary Range: $50,000 - $70,000 per year

Description: Manage and maintain databases, ensuring data integrity and security.

Responsibilities:

Troubleshoot database issues and implement improvements

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Database management
SQL
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Technical troubleshooting

Data Operations (DataOps) Analyst

Salary Range: $55,000 – $75,000 per year

Description: Focuses on automating data pipelines and monitoring data processes.

Responsibilities:

Ensure high-quality, consistent data across the organization

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Knowledge of automation tools (Airflow, Jenkins)
Basic programming and SQL
Attention to detail
Troubleshooting and issue resolution
Familiarity with Agile methodologies

Data Entry Specialist

Salary Range: $35,000 – $45,000 per year

Description: Enters, updates, and maintains information in databases or systems. This role has fewer technical demands.

Responsibilities:

Work with databases, spreadsheets, and other software

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Typing and data entry speed
Attention to detail
Basic Excel knowledge
Time management
Organizational skills

Data Quality Analyst

Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000 per year

Description: Ensures the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.

Responsibilities:

Involves identifying data issues, developing solutions, and implementing quality assurance processes

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

SQL and data profiling
Problem-solving and attention to detail
Documentation and reporting
Communication with multiple stakeholders
Analytical mindset

Marketing Data Analyst

Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000 per year

Description: Analyzes marketing campaigns and customer data.

Responsibilities:

Measure performance and recommend improvements

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Google Analytics or other marketing tools
SQL and Excel
Data storytelling
Marketing knowledge
Ability to interpret trends and patterns

Junior-Level Roles

These junior roles offer a bridge between entry-level and mid-level responsibilities, allowing professionals to specialize further or pivot into different areas of the data field.

Junior Data Scientist

Salary Range: $75,000 – $95,000 per year

Description: Assists in building machine learning models and performing statistical analyses to solve business problems.

Responsibilities:

Works under the guidance of senior data scientists

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Programming (Python, R)
Data manipulation (Pandas, NumPy)
Machine learning libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow)
Data visualization (Matplotlib, Seaborn)
Ability to interpret model performance metrics

Junior Data Engineer

Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000 per year

Description: Helps develop and maintain data infrastructure, pipelines, and databases.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with data scientists and analysts to ensure efficient data access

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

SQL and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines
Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Programming (Python, Java, or Scala)
Familiarity with data lakes and warehouses (Snowflake, Redshift)
Problem-solving and system design

Junior Business Intelligence (BI) Developer

Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000 per year

Description: Builds dashboards, reports, and queries to provide insights for decision-makers.

Responsibilities:

Works on transforming raw data into business-ready metrics

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

SQL and data querying
BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)
Analytical thinking and storytelling
Knowledge of KPIs and business metrics
Cross-functional collaboration

Junior Data Analyst

Salary Range: $60,000 – $75,000 per year

Description: Supports senior analysts in gathering and analyzing data, generating reports, and building dashboards.

Responsibilities:

Works with stakeholders to answer business questions

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

SQL and Excel for data analysis
Data visualization (Power BI, Tableau)
Statistical analysis
Presentation and reporting skills
Critical thinking

Junior Machine Learning Engineer

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 per year

Description: Focuses on deploying machine learning models into production systems.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with data scientists and software engineers to ensure scalability and performance

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Python, Java, or C++ programming
Understanding of ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
Data pipelines and APIs
Cloud platforms (AWS SageMaker, GCP AI Platform)
Model performance tuning and deployment

Junior Data Architect

Salary Range: $80,000 – $110,000 per year

Description: Assists in designing data structures, databases, and warehouses to meet business needs.

Responsibilities:

Works on ensuring data integrity and availability

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

SQL and database design
Knowledge of data governance
Experience with cloud data platforms (AWS Redshift, Snowflake)
Data modeling tools (Erwin, Lucidchart)
Problem-solving and analytical thinking

Junior Data Product Manager

Salary Range: $70,000 – $95,000 per year

Description: Manages the lifecycle of data-related products such as dashboards, reports, and APIs.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with engineers, analysts, and stakeholders to align product goals

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Project management (Agile, Scrum)
Understanding of data tools and processes
Cross-functional collaboration
Communication and stakeholder management
Ability to define requirements and success metrics

Junior Data Governance Manager

Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000 per year

Description: Supports data governance initiatives by ensuring data quality, security, and compliance.

Responsibilities:

Works with data stewards to enforce standards

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Knowledge of data governance frameworks
Data privacy and compliance (GDPR, HIPAA)
Collaboration with data stewards and legal teams
Documentation and reporting skills
Detail-oriented mindset

Junior Data Marketing Analyst

Salary Range: $60,000 – $75,000 per year

Description: Analyzes data related to marketing campaigns and customer behavior to optimize performance and ROI.

Responsibilities:

Provides actionable insights for marketing teams

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Google Analytics and digital marketing tools
SQL and Excel proficiency
Understanding of marketing KPIs (CTR, conversion rate)
Data storytelling and visualization
Attention to trends and patterns

Junior Data Consultant

Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000 per year

Description: Works with clients to identify data-driven opportunities and implement solutions.

Responsibilities:

Provides insights on data strategies and tool adoption

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Client communication and presentation
Data analysis tools (SQL, Excel, Power BI)
Business acumen and problem-solving
Time management and organization
Ability to understand client needs

Senior-Level Roles

These senior-level roles are focused on strategic thinking, leadership, and deep technical expertise. They often involve managing teams, complex projects, and cross-functional collaboration.

Senior Data Scientist

Salary Range: $120,000 – $160,000 per year

Description: Designs advanced predictive models, experiments, and analytics to solve complex business challenges.

Responsibilities:

Leads data science projects and mentors junior team members

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expert knowledge of Python, R, or Scala
Machine learning, deep learning, and NLP techniques
Strong statistical and mathematical foundation
Experience with cloud platforms and big data tools
Leadership and project management skills

Senior Data Engineer

Salary Range: $110,000 – $150,000 per year

Description: Builds, maintains, and optimizes large-scale data pipelines and architectures.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure data solutions meet business needs

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Advanced SQL and programming (Python, Java, Scala)
Experience with distributed systems (Hadoop, Spark)
Expertise in ETL processes and data integration
Cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Problem-solving and leadership in engineering teams

Lead Business Intelligence (BI) Developer

Salary Range: $110,000 – $140,000 per year

Description: Oversees BI projects and ensures the delivery of actionable insights.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with stakeholders to define business metrics and drive strategic decisions

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Advanced SQL and experience with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau)
Data storytelling and visualization
Strong business acumen
Project management and stakeholder communication
Cross-functional collaboration

Data Architect

Salary Range: $130,000 – $170,000 per year

Description: Designs data systems and frameworks to meet organizational needs.

Responsibilities:

Focuses on optimizing databases, data flows, and storage solutions

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise in data modeling and database design
Proficiency with SQL and cloud platforms (Snowflake, Redshift)
Knowledge of data governance and security
Experience with data integration tools (Informatica, Talend)
Strategic thinking and system design

Machine Learning Engineer (Senior)

Salary Range: $120,000 – $160,000 per year

Description: Develops, deploys, and maintains machine learning models at scale.

Responsibilities:

Works on optimizing algorithms for performance and integrating models into production systems

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise in Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras
Knowledge of MLOps practices and CI/CD
Cloud platforms (AWS SageMaker, GCP AI Platform)
Data pipeline automation (Airflow, Kubeflow)
Strong software engineering fundamentals

Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Salary Range: $180,000 – $250,000 per year

Description: Sets the overall data strategy for an organization, ensuring data governance, compliance, and innovation.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with executives to align data initiatives with business objectives

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Strategic planning and leadership
Expertise in data governance and compliance
Strong communication and executive presence
Knowledge of analytics and data infrastructure
Cross-functional collaboration with C-suite

Data Governance Manager

Salary Range: $110,000 – $140,000 per year

Description: Manages the organization’s data governance framework, ensuring data quality, privacy, and compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with legal, IT, and business teams

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise in data governance frameworks
Knowledge of privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
Stakeholder management and communication
Data quality management tools and techniques
Analytical and problem-solving skills

Senior Data Analyst

Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 per year

Description: Works on complex analytics projects and delivers insights to leadership.

Responsibilities:

Designs dashboards, conducts in-depth analyses, and mentors junior analysts

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Advanced SQL and Excel skills
Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)
Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail
Business acumen and ability to interpret trends
Communication and stakeholder management

Principal Data Scientist

Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000 per year

Description: Acts as a technical expert within the organization, driving innovation through data science.

Responsibilities:

Leads R&D efforts and solves critical business challenges using advanced techniques

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Extensive experience with machine learning and AI
Proficiency in advanced statistics and research methods
Strong programming and algorithm design skills
Leadership in cross-disciplinary projects
Ability to influence business strategy

Analytics Manager

Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000 per year

Description: Manages a team of data analysts and oversees analytics projects.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for delivering insights to key stakeholders and aligning data initiatives with business goals

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Leadership and team management skills
Advanced data analysis and reporting abilities
Strong communication and presentation skills
Business acumen and problem-solving
Experience with analytics tools (SQL, Tableau, Power BI)

Niche Roles

These niche roles in data require specialized skills and often involve cross-disciplinary work. Transferable skills such as programming, data analysis, and communication remain essential across these roles.

Data Visualization Specialist

Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Description: Focuses on creating interactive dashboards, visual reports, and storytelling with data to communicate insights effectively.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with business teams to customize visuals

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)
UX/UI principles for dashboards
Strong design and storytelling skills
Advanced Excel and SQL knowledge
Communication and presentation skills

Data Ethicist

Salary Range: $90,000 – $130,000 per year

Description: Ensures that data use aligns with ethical standards, including fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with data science, legal, and governance teams

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Knowledge of data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA)
Experience with ethical frameworks
Cross-disciplinary collaboration with legal and data teams
Critical thinking and communication skills
Ability to balance business and ethical needs

Geospatial Data Analyst

Salary Range: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Description: Works with spatial data (GIS) to analyze geographic trends.

Responsibilities:

Creates maps and visualizes data patterns for industries like logistics, urban planning, and environmental science

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

GIS tools (ArcGIS, QGIS)
Data visualization and mapping
Python or R for spatial analysis
Strong analytical thinking
Attention to spatial trends and patterns

Data Privacy Officer (DPO)

Salary Range: $120,000 – $160,000 per year

Description: Manages data privacy initiatives to ensure compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with legal, governance, and data engineering teams to protect sensitive data

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise in GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA
Knowledge of data governance frameworks
Stakeholder management and policy design
Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Strong communication and reporting skills

Data Operations (DataOps) Engineer

Salary Range: $85,000 – $120,000 per year

Description: Focuses on automating and optimizing data pipelines and processes to ensure smooth, scalable operations.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with engineers and analysts to maintain data flow

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Experience with tools like Apache Airflow, Jenkins
Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Knowledge of CI/CD and automation
Programming (Python, SQL)
Troubleshooting and monitoring pipelines

Algorithmic Trader/Quantitative Analyst

Salary Range: $150,000 – $250,000 per year

Description: Develops algorithms to analyze market data and execute trades automatically.

Responsibilities:

Works primarily in the finance industry, optimizing strategies for profitability

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Programming (Python, C++, MATLAB)
Knowledge of financial markets
Statistical and mathematical modeling
Experience with time-series analysis
Ability to work in fast-paced environments

IoT Data Analyst

Salary Range: $80,000 – $110,000 per year

Description: Analyzes data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices to identify trends and provide actionable insights.

Responsibilities:

Works with engineers to improve connected systems

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Experience with IoT platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IoT)
Knowledge of sensors and connected devices
Strong data analysis skills (Python, SQL)
Time-series data analysis
Problem-solving in real-time environments

Healthcare Data Analyst

Salary Range: $75,000 – $110,000 per year

Description: Works with healthcare data (e.g., patient records, clinical trials) to improve outcomes and optimize operations.

Responsibilities:

Ensures compliance with healthcare regulations

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Knowledge of healthcare data standards (FHIR, ICD-10)
Expertise in SQL and Excel
Familiarity with healthcare regulations (HIPAA)
Data visualization (Power BI, Tableau)
Strong analytical skills

Behavioral Data Scientist

Salary Range: $100,000 – $140,000 per year

Description: Analyzes user behavior data to improve product design and customer experience.

Responsibilities:

Works with UX, marketing, and product teams to align insights with strategy

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Expertise in behavioral analytics tools (Amplitude, Mixpanel)
Knowledge of A/B testing and experimentation
Statistical analysis and Python/R proficiency
Cross-functional collaboration with UX teams
Ability to communicate insights effectively

Fraud Detection Analyst

Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Description: Uses data analysis to identify and mitigate fraudulent activities.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with finance and security teams to design fraud detection strategies

Transferrable Skills/Tools Needed:

Experience with anomaly detection algorithms
SQL and Python for data analysis
Knowledge of financial or e-commerce fraud trends
Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Strong collaboration with security and legal teams