How To Become A Data Consultant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a data consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Robin Cormier

A Data Consultant, also known as a System Consultant, is a data expert who performs their job in various industries and markets. They analyze and examine the many operating and data processes and the general data management within the company. The results, paired with their insight, should allow the clients to see where and how they could increase productivity within the organization.

They are also often used to build and maintain databases, data flows, and spreadsheets. They will often need to work with various departments and people within their workplace, including client partners and the engineering team.

Typically, a potential candidate for this position will need to have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT management, or a related field of study. They will also generally need to have good written and verbal communication skills, strong data analysis, and reporting skills.

What general advice would you give to a data consultant?

Robin Cormier

Assistant Professor, Montana State University - Billings

While college graduates begin to launch their careers, they also face uncertainty about job opportunities. This can be a daunting time in their life. First and foremost, they should be proud of their achievements. There are many steps they can take to prepare for a future career, such as developing a network and building a strong resume. However, in my opinion, the most important advice I would offer new graduates is to pursue their passion. When you are passionate about your career, your life is more fulfilling, and you are more determined to achieve success. Passion shows through how you communicate, develop working relationships, and your level of career investment.

ScoreData ConsultantUS Average

Salary

7.4

Avg. Salary $94,945

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 14.26%

Black or African American 7.41%

Hispanic or Latino 8.43%

Unknown 4.44%

White 65.30%

Gender

female 36.76%

male 63.24%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a data consultant

Explore data consultant education requirements

Most common data consultant degrees

Bachelor's

60.7 %

Master's

20.1 %

Associate

9.3 %

Start to develop specific data consultant skills

Skills	Percentages
Analytics	12.98%
Data Quality	6.63%
Data Management	6.27%
Data Governance	4.55%
Informatica	4.00%

Complete relevant data consultant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a data consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data consultant resumes.

Research data consultant duties and responsibilities

Used SSRS to create and manage a number of complex reports according to user specifications.
Analyze, document and manage all project requirements and changes to the requirements throughout the SDLC.
Design and manage postgres database schemas; configure postgres servers in Linux environments to meet business requirements.
Manage weapon system project websites via SharePoint, including troubleshooting technical issues and developing guidelines for public/private information and user permissions.

Prepare your data consultant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data consultant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a data consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable data consultant resume templates

Build a professional data consultant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your data consultant resume.