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Job outlook for data consultants in the United States
Data consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected data consultant job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 108,400 new jobs for data consultants are projected over the next decade.
Data consultant salaries have increased 8% for data consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 9,149 data consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 149,791 active data consultant job openings in the US.
The average data consultant salary is $94,945.
Are data consultant jobs in demand?
Data consultant job and salary trends over time
Data consultant jobs over time
Data consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,149 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,247 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 10,713 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,878 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,922 | 0.00% |
Average data consultant salary over time
Data consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $94,945 | $45.65 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $92,345 | $44.40 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $90,558 | $43.54 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $89,302 | $42.93 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $88,089 | $42.35 | +0.0% |
Data consultant jobs by state
Most common states for data consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 749 | 108% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,423 | 35% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 357 | 34% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 281 | 32% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 417 | 31% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 196 | 31% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 836 | 27% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,438 | 26% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 272 | 26% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,034 | 24% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 865 | 24% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 227 | 24% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 184 | 24% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,913 | 23% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,096 | 23% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 966 | 23% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 419 | 22% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 162 | 22% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,118 | 21% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 355 | 21% |
Most common cities for data consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $106,932 |
| 2 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $95,385 |
| 3 | Lansing | 3 | 3% | $81,465 |
| 4 | Springfield | 3 | 3% | $84,651 |
| 5 | Washington | 11 | 2% | $108,972 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 10 | 2% | $85,205 |
| 7 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $71,542 |
| 8 | Boston | 10 | 1% | $106,028 |
| 9 | San Francisco | 8 | 1% | $123,696 |
| 10 | Detroit | 6 | 1% | $82,154 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $72,153 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 3 | 1% | $91,559 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $77,146 |
| 14 | Miami | 3 | 1% | $68,148 |
| 15 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $96,699 |
| 16 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $86,031 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $85,778 |
| 18 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $90,321 |
| 19 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $108,325 |
Data Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data consultant experts
Kennesaw State University
Mississippi College
Ohio State University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Adelphi University
University of Maryland - College Park
San Francisco State University
Utah State University
Kettering University
Cumberland University
Pennsylvania State University
City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
Robert Morris University
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Yipeng Yang: Logic and critical thinking, mathematical modeling, computer programming, data analytics, and communication.
What Data Consultant 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 Consultants increase their earning potential?
Yipeng Yang: Enhance problem-solving ability. Keep learning and improving new skills in your field.
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
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 Consultant 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 Consultants 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 Consultant?
Dr. Partha Sengupta: Data processing and data science have a rapid growth in job market about 35% which is faster in growth than any other streams of Computer Science. Data is the new petroleum of the modern age. Data storage and management in cloud-based infrastructure, understanding data storage in relational and non-relational databases and secure catching configuration, global accessibility and collaboration of data, data privacy and security, preprocessing and using advanced algorithms to analyze data is the current and future requirement. You are going to take center stage in all other end software applications which will need a robust and secure data workflow for successful implementation of the process.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Partha Sengupta: Skills of data privacy like anonymization, aggregation, user-centric privacy control, homomorphic encryption, and federated learning algorithms. Database security that protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization. Using adaptive security systems in this field is very important for automation of data storage and accessibility. Understanding data privacy laws like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) used in Europe, USA laws like California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) etc. and more cybersecurity laws and ethics to evolve in the future for dynamic nature of data workflow, such that the students understand compliance with myriads of data protection regulations as per individual country, continents, and global data protection and privacy laws. Students should also be aware of quantum computing mechanisms and post-quantum encryption process. Another important aspect is edge computing which involves data processing at the edge, real-time decision-making, optimized data transmission, distributed architecture, and scalability and flexibility. Understanding A.I. models used in multimodal learning process like audio, video, images, 3D maps, natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning algorithms, generative transformer models which correlated relation between words in a sentence using a technique called self-attention, local training of data using A.I models in a distributive network called Federated learning.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Partha Sengupta: Fit to jobs like Data Controllers and Data Processors understanding both USA and International data privacy and protection laws, implementing data protection into system and processes, auditing, authentication, and access control. Creators of robust and secured databases and recommender systems using collaborative, content, hybrid and contextual filtering. One such example is Deep Learning Recommendation Learning (DLRM). Data storage, processability and usage in edge computing in IoT devices including personalized chatbots. Running A.I. (AIoT), analytics, and other business capabilities on IoT devices, consolidate edge data at scale and eliminate data silos, deploy manage and help secure edge workloads remotely, optimize the costs of running edge solutions, and enable devices to react faster to local changes. Handling data related to medical instruments, medical chatbots, and usage of A.I for data analytics in application of telemedicine, diagnosis accuracy, and medical laboratories. Medical data analytics of A.I application in mental health disorders (MHD) and medical image classification. Another important aspect of genetic data and the application of A.I on it. Language Model architectures using human language data, deep learning algorithms, and application of generative transformers
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Dr. Michael Zhang: In the coming years, turning data into insights and driving business innovation and success is the new compass.
What Data Consultant 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 Consultants 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 will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Devin Rafferty PhD: Read anything and everything, especially history. There is an enormous value that someone can gain simply from understanding how different disciplines fit together, because the real-world is not segmented into sociology, politics, economics, etc.; rather it is all one dynamic system. For example, when students ask me what they should really focus on reading to prepare for their careers, I usually respond by asking what *exactly* will be their careers in fifteen years--which is frequently met with indecision. The point is that one should not tailor their knowledge and skill sets to an expected career; rather, just the opposite, one should learn *everything* that the brain can absorb and then the skill sets needed for the career will already be there--and obtaining promotions will be fairly straightforward.
Cornelius Nelan Prof.
Professor of MathematicsWhat Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cornelius Nelan Prof.: Advanced topics are gravy, you should be grounded in the basics: Precalculus skills (especially trigonometry and algebra), Calculus, and Linear Algebra. It is also good to have a background in statistics, and computer science (Learn a computer language, such as Java.) Given the job market today, you should be somewhat familiar with Data Science and AI. If you have time take some business (especially Finance) classes. It is also important to be able to work in group settings. An important skill is your ability to communicate (orally and in writing) to mathematicians but also to non-mathematicians. If you can find a professor who is willing to supervise (and give credit for) some independent research project, do so. It is important to demonstrate that you can work independently (do literature searches, work problems out for yourself). Include this in your resume. It would also be good to get some experience tutoring mathematics (to non-majors or majors). Again, this demonstrates your ability to communicate.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Cornelius Nelan Prof.: Emphasize your ability to learn mathematics independently, and work with groups. In your cover letter emphasize your ability to grow and adapt to the job you are applying for. Even after you find a job, keep looking; something better may come up.
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Dr. Yeol Huh: Avoid falling for the myth of adopting technology just for its own sake. Although it's tempting to experiment with the latest innovations, your approach should be grounded in fundamentals. Begin by defining the goals or outcomes you wish to achieve, and consider relevant theories that guide your approach.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yeol Huh: Pursuing certification programs in data analytics and AI fundamentals, offered by organizations like Google or Microsoft, can be beneficial before starting your career. Additionally, securing an internship to gain firsthand experience in the field can significantly enhance your salary potential. Lastly, developing an electronic portfolio where you can compile the works you have done and showcase your skills and knowledge can be an extra help.
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Remember to problem solve creatively just as you did in your coursework. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills you learned will be continually tested in whatever field you go into from your math degree. Also remember the benefits of collaborating with colleagues both in the field and in other disciplines.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Data analysis is certainly a growing field, and we cannot deny the benefits of having some programming skills. The ability to communicate and work with others will open doors to bigger projects.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Taylor Poe Ph.D.: Sell the strengths that set you apart and be willing to continue learning new skills and areas.
Tim Scales
Director of Center for Entrepreneurship – Director Center for Economic Education and Senior Lecturer in Business and EconomicsWhat general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Tim Scales: I would advise a graduate beginning their career in the field to focus on building a strong network, continuously learning and adapting to new technologies and trends, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals in the industry.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tim Scales: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in the field, it's important to negotiate effectively, demonstrate value through performance, seek out opportunities for advancement and additional responsibilities, and continuously invest in improving skills and knowledge relevant to the industry.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Tim Scales: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills such as data analysis, digital marketing, and adaptability to changing market conditions will become increasingly important and prevalent in the field.
Professor Todd Thompson
Astronomy Chair (potentially)Ohio State University
Astronomy And Astrophysics
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Professor Todd Thompson: Work hard. Be curious. Develop microskills associated with your science projects, but also the macroskills needed to develop and lead projects: question-asking, conceptualization, data interrogation, reading and writing.
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Medical Illustration And Informatics
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.: In terms of hard skills: Data analytics, Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, Mobile health informatics. In terms of soft skills: Problem-solving, Motivation and drive driven by curiosity, Communication skills.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.: By targeting positions that align with your background and expertise and by adjusting aspects of your CV and cover letter to highlight your skills and competencies in relation to the position you are applying for. Also, by negotiating your salary and providing justification as to why you deserve more than the initial offer. Do your research and talk to people to gain a better understanding of what is the salary range of the position you are applying.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.: Continue to build your health informatics skills and competencies; stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your field; create a professional network by going to venues, conferences, workshops, and other social events; and be professional and respectful in all your interactions. Don't forget to send a Thank you email with 24 hours after your interview.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Shana Caro: Graduates beginning their careers should always think about their personal growth and strengths. When picking a career, consider what your strengths are. If you are good at computer programming, pick a career like software design. If you are good at translating complex scientific results into clear English, pick a career like data sciences, sales for a biotech company, or medical writing. In every job, have goals for the skills you want to develop and work on those. Find a mentor in your work who can help you accomplish those.
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Sean Cao: Data analytics skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and communication skills will become more important and prevalent in the next few years. Acquiring these skills positions students to gain a competitive edge in the era of AI.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sean Cao: Acquiring in-demand skills and expanding institutional knowledge through industry experience can maximize salary potential at the beginning of your career. First, enhancing these skills through certifications, internships, and active involvement in pertinent projects can significantly boost your attractiveness to employers. Moreover, obtaining industry experience via internships provides invaluable practical knowledge and insights. Furthermore, networking within your industry can provide access to mentorship, recommendations, and insider information crucial for maximizing earning potential. Last, delving deeply into understanding your industry and specializing in niche areas can elevate your salary prospects.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Sean Cao: First, enhancing proficiency in data analytics is important for accounting students aiming to excel in today's data-rich financial environment. It is imperative that students can effectively use advanced data analytics tools to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, such as 10-K, 8-K, and ESG disclosures. By leveraging analytical tools to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies within financial data, students can transform complex information into actionable insights. This ability not only facilitates informed decision-making but also distinguishes individuals as indispensable assets within any organization. Second, cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is particularly important in the age of AI. As AI technologies increasingly automate routine tasks, the unique human ability to think critically, evaluate complex situations, and generate innovative solutions becomes more valuable than ever. In addition, strengthening effective communication skills. In an era where technology frequently facilitates interactions, the capacity to articulate ideas clearly and convincingly, both verbally and in writing, is important. Enhancing communication skills contributes to better collaboration with colleagues and management, ensuring that your ideas and contributions are duly recognized and appreciated.
Dr. Bob Patterson DNP, MSN, RN
ProfessorSan Francisco State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Dr. Bob Patterson DNP, MSN, RN: I would advise graduates starting their career in the field to focus on continuous learning, networking, and gaining practical experience. It's essential to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field to remain competitive.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Polly Conrad: Entering the job market with a degree in Information Systems or Data Analytics can be both exciting and daunting. The landscape of these fields is dynamic, with continuous advancements in technology and methodologies. Here are some key pieces of advice for new graduates:
1. Embrace Lifelong Learning: The tech industry evolves rapidly, and staying relevant requires continuous learning. Engage in professional development opportunities, attend workshops, and earn certifications in emerging technologies and methodologies (Utah State University Graduate Certificates). 2. Network Actively: Building a strong professional network can open doors to job opportunities and career advancements. Attend industry conferences, join professional associations, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals. 3. Seek Mentorship: Finding a mentor can provide invaluable guidance and insights. Mentors can help you navigate your career path, offer advice on skill development, and provide support during challenging times. 4. Gain Practical Experience: Internships, co-op programs, and project-based work can provide hands-on experience that is highly valued by employers (Utah State University Analytics Solutions Center). Practical experience helps you apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems and enhances your resume.
Dr. Osama Aljarrah
Assistant ProfessorKettering University
Manufacturing Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Dr. Osama Aljarrah: The capacity to solve complex problems in real-time settings. What enables you to do that is the ability to analyze information systematically and make data-driven decisions using artificial intelligence, data analytics, lean manufacturing, lean six sigma, and programming skills.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Osama Aljarrah: As someone who deeply cares about my students' success beyond graduation, I strongly recommend seeking a mentor. Choose someone you respect and whose career path inspires you—whether it's a teacher, manager, or even a family member. A good mentor can offer invaluable guidance and support as you navigate the early stages of your career.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Osama Aljarrah: Enhancing your qualifications through additional education can significantly boost your earning potential. This could mean obtaining an advanced degree or relevant certifications, especially in AI, supply chain, and manufacturing.
Dr Paul Milewski
Head, Department of MathematicsPennsylvania State University
Applied Mathematics
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr Paul Milewski: We live in an age of mathematics: everything around you runs on math. Cell phones, AI and chat GPT, weather prediction, supply chains, drug development and modern medicine, etc… A math major or a minor is a springboard to many different areas for work and further study.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr Paul Milewski: Mathematicians end up in such diverse jobs that its hard to generalize. We love the beauty and power of mathematics; we don’t particularly like everyone telling us they hate math!
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo
Full Professor of EconomicsCity College of New York of the City University of New York, The
Economics
What general advice would you give to a Data Consultant?
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo: Only by constantly learning and adapting. We live in a world which labor dynamics are in constant evolution, so we need to be ready to keep learning and adapt.
What Data Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo: Start building your online presence, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, looks professional (including picture), reflects the resume. Also, it helps considering creating a portfolio or blog to showcase the work that has been done (internships, research, data management projects etc.)
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Prof. Marta Bengoa Calvo: For soft skills: Critical thinking is always and will be always needed, attention to detail, know how to be a team player and empathetic. For hard skills: be able to manage projects in a timely manner, and always helps to have data management and analytic skills, quantitative skills.
What will help Data Consultants increase their earning potential?
Steve Mancini D.B.A.: First, I would seek the wisdom of those who are currently working in the field. That experience is important because it helps one determine which path may be best suited for them without having to repeat mistakes. Second, don't expect to know the exact job you will likely end up performing. Be flexible. Every opportunity to work gives you new experience and a new perspective so take advantage of whatever you are offered if it is even close to what you are interested in doing.