Without the ability to analyse their data, companies would not be able to make evidence-based decisions and therefore would lose their competitive edges to those companies that do. Data Analysts can expect to have varied jobs where their analytical mindsets are put to good use by the business they work for to get them to uncover facts in the data.

Data Analyst
Decision Analyst
Web Analyst
Online Analyst
Customer Analyst
Analyst
Trading Analyst
Finance Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Forecasting Analyst
Innovation Analyst
Scientific Analyst
Statistical Analyst
Insight Analyst
Investment Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
Quant Analyst
Support Analyst
Transaction Analyst
Performance Analyst
Integration Analyst
Reporting Analyst
Senior Analyst
Lead Analyst
Technical Analyst
Membership Analyst
Digital Analyst
Quality Analyst
MI Analyst
Information Analyst
BI Analyst
Research Analyst
Platform Analyst
Cyber Analyst
Product Analyst
Commercial Analyst
Policy Analyst
Valuation Analyst
Risk Analyst
Infrastructure Analyst
Operations Analyst

Data Analyst
Senior Data Analyst
Lead Data Analyst
Analytics Manager
Head of Analytics

We’ve outlined the latest salary benchmarks for Data Analyst roles in the guides below:

Data, Insight and Analytics Salary Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Day Rate Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Within Data Engineering Development Salary Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Within Data Science Salary Guide

The skills needed can be split into 3 categories; programming/technical skills, critical thinking skills and data analysis skills.

Programming skills: SQL | R | Python | SAS | MATLAB | Excel | VBA | Access.

Critical thinking skills: Analysing | Applying Standards | Information Seeking | Logical Reasoning | Predicting | Transforming Knowledge.

Data analysis skills: Learning a scripting and statistical language | Adobe and Google Analytics | Reporting  – skilled in reporting and data visualisation software with strong presentation skills | Analytical and Creative mind | Advanced Microsoft Excel, Experience with SQL (Structured Query Language) programming.

An analytical mindset or A-Levels or Bachelors or Undergraduate degree in a subject that develops analytical skills like Maths, Science, Engineering, Psychology, Economics, Econometrics, Finance, Sociology.

Salary: £26k – £35k
What They Do:
Supports data collection, cleans and organises datasets, and produces basic reports and dashboards for business teams.

Skills Needed:

• Strong Excel and foundational SQL skills
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau, Looker)
• Basic understanding of statistics
• Attention to detail and data accuracy
• Good communication and organisational skills

Salary: £35k – £45k
What They Do:
Transforms raw data into actionable insights, builds reports and dashboards, and works with stakeholders to inform business decisions.

Skills Needed:

• Advanced SQL and data querying
• Proficiency in visualisation platforms and dashboards
• Data modelling and ETL processes
• Ability to define KPIs and metrics
• Stakeholder engagement

Salary: £45k – £55k
What They Do:
Takes ownership of data analysis projects, builds advanced models, and supports strategic decision-making with data insights.

Skills Needed:

• Advanced analytics and statistical techniques (R, Python, Excel)
• Strong data modelling and pipeline knowledge
• Predictive analytics and forecasting
• Business acumen and ability to translate data into recommendations
• Mentoring junior analysts

Salary: £55k – £70k
What They Do:
Leads data analysis teams, sets best practices for reporting and data accuracy, and ensures analytics drives measurable business impact.

Skills Needed:

• Leadership and project management
• Data governance and quality management
• Automation and advanced analytics methods
• Close collaboration with business units and data engineering teams
• Setting data strategy and KPIs

Salary: £70k – £100k
What They Do:
Sets the data analysis strategy, manages analytics teams, and ensures data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

Skills Needed:

• Department-wide leadership and strategic vision
• Building and scaling analytics teams
• Driving data literacy and culture
• Budget and resource allocation
• C-suite stakeholder management

Salary: £100k – £140k+
What They Do:
Leads enterprise-wide analytics and data strategy, ensuring data is a competitive advantage and a driver of business growth.

Skills Needed:

• Executive-level leadership and enterprise data strategy
• Data governance, compliance, and security
• Building global data and analytics capabilities
• C-suite communication and influence
• Investment planning for analytics platforms and technologies