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Job outlook for data analysts in the United States
Data analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected data analyst job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 108,400 new jobs for data analysts are projected over the next decade.
Data analyst salaries have increased 8% for data analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 93,471 data analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 167,520 active data analyst job openings in the US.
The average data analyst salary is $74,342.
Are data analyst jobs in demand?
Data analyst job and salary trends over time
Data analyst jobs over time
Data analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93,471 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 83,415 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 80,767 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 81,645 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 79,010 | 0.02% |
Average data analyst salary over time
Data analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,342 | $35.74 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $72,307 | $34.76 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $70,907 | $34.09 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $69,924 | $33.62 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $68,974 | $33.16 | +0.0% |
Data analyst jobs by state
Most common states for data analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 939 | 135% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 290 | 30% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 185 | 30% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,685 | 28% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 160 | 28% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 288 | 27% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,234 | 26% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 195 | 26% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,414 | 25% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 739 | 24% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 316 | 24% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 821 | 23% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 173 | 23% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,831 | 22% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,138 | 20% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 335 | 20% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 211 | 20% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,027 | 19% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,729 | 19% |
| 20 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,329 | 19% |
Most common cities for data analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford | 44 | 36% | $79,618 |
| 2 | Tallahassee | 53 | 28% | $60,873 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 125 | 26% | $69,672 |
| 4 | Washington | 141 | 21% | $82,722 |
| 5 | Des Moines | 40 | 19% | $63,923 |
| 6 | Boston | 102 | 15% | $78,717 |
| 7 | Tampa | 56 | 15% | $60,873 |
| 8 | Miami | 45 | 10% | $60,036 |
| 9 | Denver | 61 | 9% | $66,659 |
| 10 | Sacramento | 45 | 9% | $87,362 |
| 11 | San Francisco | 74 | 8% | $87,591 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 49 | 8% | $79,980 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 53 | 6% | $60,617 |
| 14 | Charlotte | 47 | 6% | $72,712 |
| 15 | Chicago | 96 | 4% | $73,360 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 65 | 4% | $64,912 |
| 17 | Dallas | 48 | 4% | $69,721 |
| 18 | San Diego | 44 | 3% | $76,526 |
| 19 | New York | 169 | 2% | $77,671 |
| 20 | Los Angeles | 66 | 2% | $77,517 |
Data Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data analyst experts
UMass Lowell
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Remember that your first job does not define your career. You may build a career around that first job or you may use it as a valuable learning experience to change careers at some point. Eventually, what we call our careers are only really seen in hindsight. They are part of a narrative we construct about ourselves. So, don't worry to much about whether you are on the 'right path'. The right path is the one you chose at the time given the constraints and alternatives before you. But make the most of every opportunity you can to learn more about yourself - what you like, what you don't like, and what you find fulfilling about your work.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Yipeng Yang: Logic and critical thinking, mathematical modeling, computer programming, data analytics, and communication.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yipeng Yang: Get to know clearly the job duties quickly. Make good connections with colleagues and listen to their advices.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Yipeng Yang: Enhance problem-solving ability. Keep learning and improving new skills in your field.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Swagata Banerjee PhD: Digital literacy: As technology continues to evolve, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will become increasingly essential. Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn new skills and adapt to changing circumstances will be crucial in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Data literacy: Understanding and analyzing data will become more important for making informed decisions and optimizing strategies. Interdisciplinary skills: The ability to work across different disciplines and collaborate effectively with diverse teams will be highly valued. Emotional intelligence: Soft skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork will continue to be in demand as workplaces become more interconnected and dynamic.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Joseph Spivey: I’d start by becoming as knowledgeable as possible about the salaries of people in jobs you are interested in. Compare salaries for open positions; you may be able to use your knowledge as leverage to ask for more money. When you interview, ask not just about starting salary but about how raises and promotions are handled. I wish that I had learned some basic negotiation principles when I started my career. I’d recommend the book Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Spivey: I think technology, especially artificial intelligence, provide increasingly important tools. Mathematics graduates will need to understand how to use technology in all kinds of new ways to improve their output and efficiency. Math graduates will need to be able to identify the best technological tools for a given task and critically interpret the output. As with most technological tools, people will be best served by using technology to augment, rather than replace, their efforts.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Joseph Spivey: My first piece of advice is to recognize that you have achieved something hard and worthwhile by completing a mathematics major. There are not many people on this planet who have the knowledge and skills that you have developed! By completing a math major, you have proven that you have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and these abilities and confidence in your abilities will pay off. I also think it’s worthwhile to identify a mentor early on who can help guide you to be successful.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Sam Engel: Zippia is a job search site with over 5 million visits a month, We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sam Engel: Zippia is a job search site with over 5 million visits a month, We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Sam Engel: Zippia is a job search site with over 5 million visits a month, We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Reshad Osmani PhD: As a new graduate starting your career, I recommend staying curious, being open to learning from others, seeking feedback, building networks, and being proactive in tackling challenges. Keep developing your analytical skills, stay adaptable, and remember that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Learning by doing should be your number one priority.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Reshad Osmani PhD: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career, consider the following strategies: negotiate your starting salary based on market research, demonstrate your value through accomplishments, seek out opportunities for advancement and growth, continuously improve your skills, consider additional certifications or degrees, and be willing to explore job opportunities that offer competitive compensation packages.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Reshad Osmani PhD: In the next 3-5 years, skills like data analysis, digital literacy, adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are likely to become even more important across various fields due to the increasing influence of technology, automation, and remote work trends. Additionally, skills related to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability may also gain prominence.
Renee Robinson Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationWhat Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: What skills do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: That would be awesome! We were hoping you could answer the following questions: 1. What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career in the field?
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca MacGowan: Business graduates encompass a broad set of majors, each of which has their own set of best practices and different applied tools that they use. I highly recommend students become familiar with the dominant trends in their fields including decision making processes (how do individuals in their field draw conclusions about what to do) and what software applications are the most prevalent (what they use for supply chain is going to be different from the applications they use for accounting, and so forth) so that they can ensure they are practicing their domain-specific aptitudes prior to graduation. They can do this via their college courses, outside learning opportunities, or via an internship with applied experience. Regardless of their specific major, all business students benefit from the development of their soft skills – rarely in a business environment will you work independently, the majority of the time you are going to be working in groups and teams, nested within departments, nested within organizations, nested within industries. As such, learning strong communication and conflict management skills, gaining an understanding of the strengths of your personal leadership style as well as an understanding of your weaknesses, and figuring out the best way to maintain your personal motivation and how to motivate others, are all skills that transcend time and are helpful across different positions and organizations. Additionally, as AI becomes more prominent in white-collar positions, the ability to interface with AI engines will continue to emerge as an important general skill to have.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): Skills that will become more important in the future are understanding quality measures. Six Sigma Lean principles are very applicable to what we do and help to keep a balanced workflow. A second thing is to understand that you and your coworkers are human. Find resilience tools that help you to keep a calm focus and practice good communication. Stay connected to national organizations for articles and training to stay connected to the future.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): To maximize your salary potential, obtain some experience while you are in school. If there is a clinic to volunteer at or a student job in a lab, take it. Higher pay is almost always offered to the evening and night shift technicians. If your new workplace is on 8-hour nights or evenings, create a schedule where evenings and nights do 10s or 12s and suggest it to the leadership. This makes a much better work-life balance.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): As a new graduate, remember why you decided on this career. Was it because you liked to help people? Then remember your results are improving the quality of life for another person. Is it because you like detective work? Then view each sample as a puzzle to work through. Is it because you want to further your education? Then never stop learning.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Ning Ye Ph.D.: First of all, the ability to understand and interpret data will be key as businesses increasingly use data analytics for decision-making. One area where there will be huge demand is in data analytics, business intelligence, and data visualization. Secondly, I think the ability to adapt fast and bounce back after a failure is going to be more crucial than ever. This encompasses; embracing new ideas, learning from past mistakes, having a positive attitude when faced with adversities. Emotional intelligence (EQ) together with leadership abilities are also important for any employee. This involves knowing how to control your feelings, being able to share others' pain, and leading different teams in a globalized changing world.
Prof. Mohammad Elahee Ph.D.
Perlroth Professor of Int’l. BusinessWhat will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Prof. Mohammad Elahee Ph.D.: Employers will pay a high salary if a job applicant can show that they can create value for the employer and deliver on time. Prior experience in the form of internship, part-time work, voluntary work, leadership experience etc. along with professional certification and micro-credentials in emerging areas would allow job seekers to negotiate their salary from a position of strength. Possessing cultural dexterity would also enhance salary potentials.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Marilyn Krogh: Statistical and communication skills are always in demand, and familiarity with a little AI would be a bonus.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marilyn Krogh: Know yourself—take time to identify and name your own strengths, interests and priorities in your work life. Take advantage of the services from your university career development center.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Marilyn Krogh: Have a strong undergraduate portfolio, do an internship before graduation, and be willing to 'go an extra mile' for your employer.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Dr. Michael Zhang: In the coming years, turning data into insights and driving business innovation and success is the new compass.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michael Zhang: Don’t worry about your job title. Regardless of what you do, prepare yourself with data and modeling skills and hands-on experience in applying knowledge for developing, evaluating, refining and implementing analytics solutions to your career.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael Zhang: All your study at University is a solid foundation of the bridge between theory and practice. Don’t be afraid of failure, be open-minded, keep learning and adapting to new challenges.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Dr. Laura Gonzalez Ph.D.: Technology, and in particular Artificial Intelligence, are becoming ubiquitous in all professions. New positions are being created and those who know how to use Artificial Intelligence will not be replaced by AI. This requires minimum programming knowledge, and it is useful to have some data analytics knowledge as well.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Laura Gonzalez Ph.D.: My first advice would be to celebrate and then rest a little, because graduation is just the beginning. It is imperative to continue professional and skill development even after finding a job. Interviewing takes both practice and skills. It is also important to stay in touch with the alma mater and attend alumni events to network. Networking within the alma mater circles is a key source of information, recommendations and referrals.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Barr PhD: Do research on what market compensation is for a given role. Review websites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
Understand standard compensation negotiation tactics during the offer stage.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Barr PhD: Embrace a lifelong learning mindset at the outset. Read case books about successful organizations, notable leaders and new business practices.
Establish an unwavering reputation as a disciplined and responsible worker.
Strive to be an excellent listener. Your attention to detail will be noticed as evidenced through your work.
Be creative and take risks. Suggest an idea to your supervisor about how to improve a procedure or system. This will position you as an early career problem solver.
Seize every opportunity to grow and build key skills including communication, interpersonal, critical thinking and technology.
Recognize the strong correlation between emotional intelligence and success. This is particularly important as you advance in your career.
Cultivate mentorship opportunities and network as much as possible. Eventually step into a mentorship role.
Honesty, integrity and character matter. Be true to yourself and never deviate from your moral compass. Listen to your instincts always.
Create a strong LinkedIn profile and update regularly. It is one of the top recruiting sites.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Dr. David Powell Ph.D.: Job security is one of the primary advantages of being a public administrator. Public administrators also enjoy a great variety in job functions and duties. While average salaries may be a bit lower when compared to the private sector, benefits are usually superior to what private firms offer.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Hart: Most businesses may hire you on like a consultant. The employees rarely welcome consultants in their business so that early friction is something that most new Business Analysts find distasteful, however if taken in that context, it is also the most challenging part of the field. When you discover processes that will enhance the productivity of the company and help the employees see more profit sharing you can end up being the hero. Most employees spend most of their work career never feeling fulfilled. This profession will definitely give you that rewarding feeling.
Dany Doueiri
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Dany Doueiri: Don't try to start your own business right after you graduate. Keep your dreams, passions, and aspirations alive but get experience from the field through companies, organizations, and institutions. Gain wisdom from those who have more experience than you and those who make mistakes, including your own shortcomings. Then, you can consider branching out. Finally, learning never stops at the end of your college journey. Be humble and keep on learning for life.
What general advice would you give to a Data Analyst?
Adam Roth: As a liberal arts graduate, it is critical to focus on networking, continuous learning, and gaining practical experience. I strongly advise leveraging campus recruitment fairs, leadership positions, alumni gatherings, and platforms like LinkedIn to build a robust professional network. Utilize career services to seek out internships or volunteer opportunities that will enhance your skills and expand your professional network. Through your coursework and extra- and co-curricular activities, work on developing skills that are highly sought after by employers of new college graduates and which are in short supply; oral and written communication, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and teamwork. Complement these with technical skills that will make you more versatile in the job market. When possible, find mentors among alumni, internship supervisors, and even parents of friends who will offer guidance and support. Embrace opportunities to showcase your abilities, identify areas for improvement, and pursue additional coursework or online credentials to further enhance your skills and marketability.
What Data Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Roth: I recommend that students start by identifying a specific skill in demand within your field, such as data analysis or social media marketing, and focus on developing expertise in that area. Research salary ranges and living costs in particular areas where you’re interested in working to ensure your compensation aligns with the local market. Always negotiate a salary and consider other aspects of the offer, such as funds for continuing education, technology and more. Continuing to network and establish demand for your services is essential; attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals in your field. Never miss an opportunity to reach out to and check in with your professional contacts. Pursue additional learning opportunities and education, such as certifications or advanced degrees, to provide a competitive advantage and increase your earning potential over time.
What will help Data Analysts increase their earning potential?
Bradley Andrew Ph.D.: Once you have your first job, ask about or determine the 20% of your supervisor’s job that they hate and start doing that for them. They will love you for it and it will quickly get you recognition. You’ll also be well on your way to learning your boss’s job. Continue doing this as you progress in your career (Kudos to Theo Epstein, former GM for the Red Sox, for this recommendation)
No matter the task you’re given, do it to the absolute best of your abilities. In the professional world, you may often be given menial tasks or tasks that you don’t believe are part of your job description. Doing those tasks to the absolute best of your ability leads to increased trust, recognition and responsibility and will put you “above class.” If asked, the coffee you bring should be the best your boss has ever had. You never know who’s watching.
Don’t expect credit and don’t ask for credit when things go right; give the credit to others.