What does a data processing analyst do?
Data Processing Analysts are responsible for analyzing and maintaining the data systems of an organization. Their duties include interpreting data, analyzing statistical results, creating databases, identifying patterns from data sets, and undertake data filtering. They are also involved in preparing analytics reports, developing data visualizations, and mining data sets from primary or secondary sources. Data Processing Analysts also execute process automation, data validation, and documenting client's business requirements. They continuously monitor the performance metric of a project.
Data processing analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data processing analyst resumes:
- 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.
- Contribute with management and business teams to develop and implement documentation and operational guidelines design to support MDM and business strategies.
- Maintain and update Winshuttle transaction scripts.
- Notify appropriate business users of relevant updates to Winshuttle forms and relate guides.
- Introduce 'retry' logic to the existing DB2 modules to improve efficiency and automatically resolve database contention.
- Design, code, test, and implement into production new and existing batch DB2, COBOL VSAM and CICS programs.
- Perform job flow analysis, data recovery, creation/modification of COBOL programs and associate JCL.
- Support changing to customer's JCL, COBOL, and PL/1 batch and on-line programs.
- Design and develop batch interfaces for transferring Medicaid information to and from online processing systems using XML files.
- Implement objects in database: tables, views, functions, triggers, etc.
- Involve in designing the logical data structures, write triggers, functions, and store procedures.
- Convert claims data for migration from mainframe system to replacement server-base system ahead of schedule while meeting all business requirements.
Data processing analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Data Processing Analysts are proficient in Data Analysis, Process Improvement, and Visualization. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Data Processing Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Analysis, 16%
Conducted data analysis, implementing business logic to text analytic models.
- Process Improvement, 10%
Implement process controls to sustain process improvements, increase compliance assurance and improve internal/external customer satisfaction.
- Visualization, 8%
Perform descriptive analysis, data visualization and statistical significance analysis for global student surveys * Write and present reports on analyses results
- Tableau, 8%
Created dashboards of commercial cost of removals with few different metrics (Tableau).
- Analyze Data, 5%
Collect and analyze data to identify financial representatives based on incomplete/inaccurate information
- Data Collection, 5%
Automated data collection process by writing VBA macros and web application increasing efficiency and quality.
Common skills that a data processing analyst uses to do their job include "data analysis," "process improvement," and "visualization." You can find details on the most important data processing analyst responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a data processing analyst to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Data processing analysts often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop and maintain pc inventories. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform data processing analyst duties is analytical skills. Data processing analysts responsibilities require that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Data processing analysts also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "develop financial models and analysis utilizing advanced visualization techniques to identify financial and operational opportunities and gaps. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for data processing analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how data processing analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a data processing analyst: "provided technical support to staff in regards to general pc issues, including forgotten passwords, telecommunication issues and application troubleshooting. ".
The three companies that hire the most data processing analysts are:
- Change Healthcare48 data processing analysts jobs
- Bank of America17 data processing analysts jobs
- Kion Group4 data processing analysts jobs
Compare different data processing analysts
Data processing analyst vs. Analyst lead
The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between data processing analysts and analyst lead. For instance, data processing analyst responsibilities require skills such as "tableau," "analyze data," "data quality," and "business processes." Whereas a analyst lead is skilled in "analytics," "project management," "customer service," and "excellent interpersonal." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Analyst leads really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $110,488. Comparatively, data processing analysts tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $85,952.The education levels that analyst leads earn slightly differ from data processing analysts. In particular, analyst leads are 5.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a data processing analyst. Additionally, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data processing analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real data processing analyst resumes. While data processing analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "visualization," "tableau," "analyze data," and "data quality," analysts use skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "management system," and "project management."
Analysts earn a lower average salary than data processing analysts. But analysts earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $79,330. Additionally, data processing analysts earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $85,952 annually.In general, analysts achieve similar levels of education than data processing analysts. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for data processing analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Pavel Chernyavskiy Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Statistics, University of Wyoming
Data processing analyst vs. Technical system analyst
Technical Systems Analysts are employees who are adept in information technology (IT). They work in the IT department, where they oversee the different networks and systems that exist in the company. They manage the technical systems and ensure that these systems are working properly at all times. They generate reports related to the networks and systems. They then study and analyze these reports to identify existing problems or anticipate challenges that may come their way. These reports help them craft solutions to problems and invest in infrastructure that will address challenges.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from data processing analyst resumes include skills like "process improvement," "visualization," "tableau," and "analyze data," whereas a technical system analyst is more likely to list skills in "project management," "troubleshoot," "technical support," and "san. "
Technical system analysts make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $94,207. On the other hand, data processing analysts are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $85,952.When it comes to education, technical system analysts tend to earn similar degree levels compared to data processing analysts. In fact, they're 3.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Data processing analyst vs. Gis analyst
A GIS Analyst is responsible for the development and implementation of geographic information systems. They provide expertise, support, assistance, and guidance to various geographic variables in a specific area.
Types of data processing analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
