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Job outlook for data communications analysts in the United States
Are data communications analyst jobs in demand?
Data Communications Analyst job and salary trends over time
Data Communications Analyst jobs over time
Data Communications Analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 202 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 204 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 182 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,687 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,744 | 0.00% |
Average data communications analyst salary over time
Data Communications Analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $81,308 | $39.09 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $78,629 | $37.80 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $76,849 | $36.95 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $73,768 | $35.47 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $71,343 | $34.30 | +1.0% |
Data Communications Analyst jobs by state
Most common states for data communications analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 483 | 70% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,961 | 29% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 186 | 25% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,467 | 24% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 180 | 24% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 303 | 23% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 198 | 23% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 902 | 22% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 200 | 21% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 605 | 20% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 212 | 20% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,061 | 19% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,036 | 19% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 693 | 19% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 356 | 19% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,126 | 17% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,434 | 17% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 300 | 17% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 225 | 17% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,624 | 16% |
Most common cities for data communications analysts
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Gables | 2 | 4% | $76,247 |
| 2 | Santa Monica | 2 | 2% | $92,001 |
| 3 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $100,335 |
Data Communications Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data communications analyst experts
Belmont University
St. Francis College
Andrews University
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Public RelationsBelmont University
Department of Public Relations
What skills stand out on Data Communications Analyst resumes?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: The strategic communication field is broad and deep-just like the career opportunities for aspiring professionals in the field. Work in this area involves internal and external communication in every industry you can imagine. Behind every organization or brand, you'll find individuals who are managing strategic communication.
The basic skills for entry-level communication practitioners haven't changed much over the years. Writing, design, and content creation are essential. What has changed are the channels we use to communicate. In addition to the basic skills, new practitioners must understand the places and platforms to communicate with their target audience. And we don't have to rely only on face-to-face and traditional media like newspapers, magazines, radio, and television to get our messages out. Social media have empowered the consumer to become engaged creators and influencers. And that's changed the playbook for communication professionals.
It's important to show your proficiency with basic communication skills and traditional and social media platforms. Even better, if your resume can showcase your real-world experience and the results you've achieved, you are sure to stand out from the crowd and get past the initial screening of applicants.
What soft skills should all Data Communications Analysts possess?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: It's hard to showcase soft skills on a traditional resume-but it's not impossible, and there are alternative ways of doing it. In addition to doing the job, employers want someone likable-someone they will enjoy working with. It's also important to be motivated and self-directed and to be able to prioritize and manage one's time. Asking good questions is a good thing, but it's critical to remember that the quality of our questions reflects the quality of our thinking. If you can find the answer to your question with some simple research, do it. This shows that you are a resourceful learner. Of course, being creative and thinking strategically are also soft skills that aspiring communication professionals need. Other soft skills that have come in demand over the past year or so are adaptability and perseverance. You want to show these soft skills-don't just tell a prospective employer that you have them. Show them through examples and stories. That's hard to do on a resume. You can do it with a short video on your online portfolio, personal website, or LinkedIn profile.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Data Communications Analysts?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: Communicating in writing and in oral presentations is a basic skill, but doing so concisely in a manner that captivates and compels your audience is something to work on mastering. It's also important to be able to write with style. Associated Press (AP) style is an industry-standard for communication professionals. However, it's critical to learn and apply the ideal style of the communication channel you're using.
Aspiring communication professionals must be able to use applications for word processing, create presentations, organize data, communicate digitally (e.g., email), and manage tasks and projects. You can do a lot of simple tasks using web-based apps, and that's what many students have used through school. However, you'll stand out if you're a superuser who really knows how to work applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. These applications are powerhouses-if you know how to use them. If you can work magic with them and do it efficiently, you're already ahead of the game, and it will make your life so much easier. Of course, other specialized applications may be required by your organization or your position, e.g., design, photography, audio, and video editing software. Be prepared to learn the ones you need. There is plenty of online tutorials that are free or inexpensive.
Another way to set yourself apart is by earning and showcasing you are invested in your own professional development. There are increasing numbers of industry-recognized courses and exams to earn certificates showing your competencies in the profession. For example, seniors or recent graduates could earn the Principles of Public Relations Certificate offered by the Universal Accreditation Board, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and its student organization, PRSSA. Google, HubSpot, and Muck Rack are among industry service providers who have developed training programs where students can earn certificates to make them marketable.
What skills will help Data Communications Analysts earn the most?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: In addition to the hard and soft skills that can get strategic communication professionals a job, some highly valued skills may help them maximize their earning potential. Being comfortable and competent working with data is in high demand these days. Analytics has become increasingly important to show communication's value to the organization and give communication leaders critical insights to shape strategic decision-making for every department.
Further, a communication professional is likely to advance and earn more if they understand how businesses work. Business literacy is a constant reminder that strategic communication practices must be integrated and supportive of the entire organizational operation.
What technical skills for a Data Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Michelle Steven: Employers should look for basic office skills and even the skills which are rarely used, such as answering the phone properly.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Data Communications Analysts?
Michelle Steven: Yes, there will be an enduring impact on students from the pandemic. Students are used to being social and getting in the full experience of college life and the pandemic has taken that away, hopefully, temporarily.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Data Communications Analysts?
Everett Wiles: I believe that there will be long-lasting effects of this pandemic that will make life for the 2020/2021 graduates a challenge. For many young people graduation is seen as a fresh start, their launch into adulthood, a time to secure a job and to start making a living in the field that they spent the last four or five years preparing and grueling over. However, the reality is that many of those graduates will not be able to venture out into their fields because the job market has taken a huge hit as a result of the pandemic. This means that graduates will find it difficult to find jobs and to make a living. They will need to be flexible and have an open mind and be willing to venture out into other areas outside of their chosen field.
What technical skills for a Data Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Everett Wiles: The assumption is made that anyone graduating with a degree in journalism and mass communication should automatically be well versed in all things technical, that assumption in my estimation is false. However, having a working knowledge of the technical aspects can and will be an asset. Some of the skills that would be helpful are, being able to operate production equipment such as cameras and audio equipment, know how to compose shots and shoot good video with good sound. It will also be an asset to know how to edit the videos that they would have shot. An employer will more than likely be seeking someone who has as many technical skills as possible to help maximize on the investment that they would have made. If they can't find one that has all the technical requirements they will go with the one who has the most.
Another thing to consider that employers will seek, outside of the technical areas is someone who is teachable, someone who has the right work ethic and attitude. You can always train someone to improve on their technical skills, but it is difficult to change someones poor attitude and work ethic.
What technical skills for a Data Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Michael Goude: Most mass media outlets expect employees to be able to do it all, writing, editing, photography, video production. Having a broad spectrum of skills is a requirement. Few firms have the luxury to hire someone for just on specialty.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Data Communications Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Michael Goude: More working remotely, obviously. Now that companies have adapted to flex-time and flex-space, they likely will continue to utilize it for an advantage. In my field of print media, more freelance opportunities have been created to work.with media outlets without ever visiting their office.