What does a data specialist do?
A data specialist's role is to process data, transferring them into an electronic platform or database for record-keeping or creating systems. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the accuracy of every inputted data point and verify its authenticity by reaching out to clients or using specific software. There are also instances when they must perform various analyses or take part in different product development processes. Furthermore, it is crucial to be able to identify any anomalies or inconsistencies; this way, corrective measures can be quickly implemented.
Data specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data specialist resumes:
- Manage the FAA's classify operations program.
- Manage and prepare pharmaceutical records for multiple FDA audits.
- Create UNIX and LINUX shell scripts to automate data migration process.
- Create packages in SSIS to automate importing text files into a data mart.
- Participate in data profiling activities and lead root cause / impact analysis sessions.
- Manage offshore developers to support DBA operations.
- Work alongside JSU professor helping with data entry using SPSS.
- Detail all upgrade procedures to the Japanese DBA counterparts, while teaching them Sybase internals.
- Involve in Informatica admin activities.
- Migrate enterprise application from MS-SQL to Sybase.
- Serve as the primary contact for data extraction.
- Monitor and maintain MPI within hospital information system.
- Clean windows, mope floors, and dust counters.
- Perform math calculation uses formulas and percentages dosage levels.
- Involve in developing parallel and sequence jobs in Datastage.
Data specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Data Specialists are proficient in Data Analysis, Data Entry, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Problem-solving skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Data Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Analysis, 7%
Provided decision support along with data analysis for the Quality Management Department and to other departments and Leadership throughout the organization.
- Data Entry, 7%
Performed data entry for individual personal finance applications and history * Re-arranged filing system for maintaining hard copies of aged records
- Data Collection, 7%
Consulted with nonprofits to monitor grant investments including: establishing metrics, data collection, program evaluation and capacity building.
- Customer Service, 7%
Maintained a positive over the phone experience for Sprint customers, and received several customer commendations for providing excellent customer service.
- Data Management, 6%
Managed the grant-related data management system; conducts periodic reviews to ensure information is up-to-date, accurate and consistently generates reports.
- Visualization, 6%
Produce interactive data visualization information focused on business intelligence, as well as provide flight load ratio, using Tableau software.
Common skills that a data specialist uses to do their job include "data analysis," "data entry," and "data collection." You can find details on the most important data specialist responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a data specialist to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what data specialists do because "working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems." Additionally, a data specialist resume shows how data specialists use detail oriented: "completed data entry projects when necessary requiring high attention to detail. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform data specialist duties is problem-solving skills. Data specialists responsibilities require that "when database problems arise, administrators must troubleshoot and correct the problems." Data specialists also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide data visualization best practices for jaspersoft's product development and engineering as well as spotfire customer solution teams. "
The three companies that hire the most data specialists are:
- Deloitte116 data specialists jobs
- Microsoft62 data specialists jobs
- Masco52 data specialists jobs
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Compare different data specialists
Data specialist vs. Encoder
Data entry clerks are employees who work on the proper documentation of the data sets within the organization. They are responsible for copying in or typing in items from a source to the company database. In doing so, they provide and validate essential information to the organization. Data entry clerks are expected to assess the data and ensure that they are correct before logging them into the company database. They are required to have good attention to detail, to be able to type swiftly and accurately, and to be able to work with minimal supervision.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between data specialists and encoder. For instance, data specialist responsibilities require skills such as "data analysis," "data entry," "data collection," and "customer service." Whereas a encoder is skilled in "process checks," "data entry system," "encoders," and "subtitles." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Encoders tend to reach lower levels of education than data specialists. In fact, encoders are 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Data specialist vs. Data entry clerk
A data entry processor is primarily in charge of performing data entry tasks in a company or office. Their responsibilities revolve around updating databases and spreadsheets, coordinating with different departments to gather data, conducting extensive research and analysis, and keeping an eye for errors and inconsistencies. Moreover, a data entry professor may perform administrative support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, answering calls and correspondence, organizing files, monitoring office supply inventory and schedules, and helping staff in projects and programs when necessary.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that data specialist responsibilities requires skills like "data analysis," "data collection," "data management," and "visualization." But a data entry clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "computer database," "word processing," "wpm," and "office equipment."
Data entry clerks may earn a lower salary than data specialists, but data entry clerks earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $32,306. On the other hand, data specialists receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,054.In general, data entry clerks achieve lower levels of education than data specialists. They're 6.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data specialist vs. Data entry processor
Data entry representatives are professionals who are responsible for entering data from different documents into the computer systems for storage, processing, and data management. These representatives must prepare documents for data entry and check the accuracy of the data that has been inputted into the database software. They must resolve the discrepancies in information as well as create data backups as part of their contingency plan. Data entry representatives must also test the new database systems so that information can be used by other people for reference or reports.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a data specialist is likely to be skilled in "data analysis," "data collection," "customer service," and "data management," while a typical data entry processor is skilled in "data entry system," "computer database," "laboratory specimens," and "centrifuges."
Data entry processors earn the highest salary when working in the insurance industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,948. Comparatively, data specialists have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $77,054.Most data entry processors achieve a lower degree level compared to data specialists. For example, they're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data specialist vs. Data entry representative
Types of data specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
