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

What is a data processing analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Joseph Byrum

A Data Processing Analyst needs many skills. Several of these skills are a high level of mathematical ability, programming languages like SQL and Oracle, plus the ability to analyze, interpret data, and model. You will also need problems solving skills, know how to be methodical and logical when researching and searching. You need to plan work and meet deadlines, and have good attention to detail skills. You will need to analyze and maintain the data system of an organization, interpret data, analyze statistical results, and create databases. You will need to identify patterns from data sets and use data filtering. You are also required to prepare analytical reports, mine data sets from primary or secondary sources, and develop data visualization.

As a Data Processing Analyst, you will process data validation, process automation, document client requirements, and continuously monitor the performance metric of projects. In the next ten years, the career of a Data Processing Analyst is expected to grow by 9%, and 56,000 job opportunities will be produced. You will need the skills of analysis, communication, and creativity to maintain your career. You will need a bachelor's degree in computer science or business management information systems. You will also need experience as an administrative assistant or a data analyst. A Data Processing Analyst can make an average of $31.18 an hour or $64,855 a year.

What general advice would you give to a data processing analyst?

Joseph Byrum

Chief Data Scientist, Principal

The next revolution will happen when every aspect of a business, from top to bottom, is designed with AI and OR in mind. Call this new construct the intelligent enterprise. A joint cognitive system view is the first step in creating the intelligent enterprise - a large, complex organization with global distribution of its resources and processes run by people who make consistently excellent adaptations to rapid changes in the world. They also share the execution of these rapid adaptations seamlessly across the entire organization without loss of consistency and coherence.

ScoreData Processing AnalystUS Average

Salary

6.0

Avg. Salary $76,487

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.46%

Black or African American 10.49%

Hispanic or Latino 11.33%

Unknown 5.03%

White 58.51%

Gender

female 45.58%

male 54.42%

Age - 42

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 - 42

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a data processing analyst

Explore data processing analyst education requirements

Most common data processing analyst degrees

Bachelor's

59.0 %

Associate

17.9 %

Master's

12.7 %

Start to develop specific data processing analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Analysis	16.23%
Process Improvement	10.49%
Visualization	7.65%
Tableau	7.54%
Analyze Data	5.45%

Complete relevant data processing analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data processing analysts 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 processing analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data processing analyst resumes.

Research data processing analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage and contribute to EDI processes ensuring HIPAA compliance and access to clearing house review on individual case status.
Develop and teach seminars on the use of statistical software including SPSS and SAS.
Implement and maintain Microsoft SharePoint.
Supervise SharePoint migration while insuring adherence to data governance, disaster recovery and backup policy compliance.

Apply for data processing analyst jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a data processing analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams