{"id":37381,"date":"2026-09-04T13:35:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/?p=37381"},"modified":"2026-09-04T13:36:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:36:04","slug":"data-analyst-what-they-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/blog\/data-analyst-what-they-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Analyst: What They Do and How to Become One"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"hero-post\" class=\"hero-post\">\n  <picture class=\"hero-post__bg\">\n    <!-- tatamiento horizontal -->\n    <source media=\"(orientation: landscape) and (min-width: 1024px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-6.jpg\">\n    <!-- tatamiento vertical -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-post__img\" src=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-6.jpg\" alt=\",\" title=\"\">\n    <noscript>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-6.jpg\" alt=\",\" title=\"\">\n    <\/noscript>\n  <\/picture>\n  <div id=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n    <p class=\"container\">\n      <span>\n        <span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/\" data-gtm-container=\"breadcrumb\" data-gtm-action=\"navigation\">\n            Home          <\/a>\n        <\/span>\n        &gt;\n        <span class=\"breadcrumb_last\" aria-current=\"page\">\n          <strong>Data Analyst: What They Do and How to Become One<\/strong>\n        <\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <h1 class=\"hero-post__title\">\n    Data Analyst: What They Do and How to Become One  <\/h1>\n      <div class=\"hero-post__wysiwyg\">\n      In today\u2019s digital world, where businesses rely increasingly on websites, apps, sales platforms, etc., there\u2019s a strong demand for experts in data analytics. Data analysts bring together technical skills and business strategy to support problem-solving and data-driven decision-making in organizations across industries.    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re wondering <strong>how to become a data analyst<\/strong>, graduate programs like MIU\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/academics\/master-degree\/\">Master&#8217;s Degree in Business Intelligence<\/a><strong> <\/strong>and<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/academics\/master-degree\/masters-visual-analytics-big-data\/\">Master\u2019s in Visual Analytics and Big Data<\/a><strong> <\/strong>or the<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/academics\/continuing-education\/expert-certificates\/corporate-finance\/\">Continuing Education Course in Corporate Finance<\/a> can help provide you with the skills and real-world knowledge organizations value.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a data analyst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A data analyst is a professional who collects, organizes, interprets, and presents information to help organizations make more informed decisions. Typically, a <strong>data analyst\u2019s job description<\/strong> includes responsibilities like preparing reports, identifying trends, building dashboards, and presenting information to stakeholders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Analysts help organizations in numerous industries, such as healthcare, finance, technology, retail, and marketing, be more efficient, cost-effective, and aware of their customers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between a data analyst and a data scientist?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These two professionals are similar in that they both involve working with information and business insights, but they\u2019re not the same thing. The difference between a <strong>data analyst vs.&nbsp; data scientist<\/strong> is that analysts focus on interpreting and reporting on existing data, while data scientists work with predictive models, machine learning systems, automation projects, etc., that require more programming and statistical expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does a data analyst do in a company?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, <strong>what does a data analyst do<\/strong> or what does a typical day in this role look like? In general, their responsibilities within a company include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Organizing raw information so it can be analyzed more efficiently<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building reports and visual summaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracking performance metrics and operational results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Detecting customer trends or unusual patterns in company data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assisting with forecasting and long-term planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Presenting insights during meetings or internal reviews\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributing to <strong>business intelligence<\/strong> initiatives that support strategic planning and operational decisions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What skills do you need to become a data analyst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strong <strong>data analyst skills<\/strong> include a combination of technical knowledge, communication, and problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technical skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>SQL for data analysis<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Python for data analysis<\/strong> and workflow automation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using <strong>Power BI <\/strong>and<strong> Tableau <\/strong>for dashboard creation and <strong>data visualization<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Familiarity with advanced analytical tools for working with<strong> big data<\/strong> environments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Analytical and statistical skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data analysts need the ability to recognize patterns in complex information, interpret results accurately, and identify insights, which requires strong analytical thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business and communication skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because data analysts frequently need to explain technical information to non-technical audiences, clear communication skills are essential. Teams need to understand how to apply analytical findings in real business situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What tools do data analysts use in 2026?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Data analyst tools<\/strong> are constantly evolving and adapting to the increasing use of cloud platforms and automation technologies among businesses. Some of the most commonly used tools today are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Excel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SQL databases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Python<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Power BI<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tableau<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Google Looker Studio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learning these tools can help me become a more effective data analyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to become a data analyst step-by-step?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first steps in how to become a data analyst usually involve acquiring knowledge and skills regarding spreadsheets, SQL, visualization tools, and basic statistics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re aspiring to become a data analyst, you can strengthen your profile and prepare for <strong>entry-level data analyst<\/strong> positions with a <strong>Google Data Analytics Certificate<\/strong> or other industry-recognized <strong>data analyst certifications<\/strong>. Practical experience, a strong portfolio, and graduate studies like a<strong> master in data analytics <\/strong>can help to further advance your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the average salary of a data analyst in the US?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The average <strong>data analyst salary<\/strong> in the United States can vary depending on factors such as experience, education, industry, and location. <strong>Entry-level data analysts<\/strong> can start out earning between $60k and $75k per year, and experienced professionals can earn significantly more. In fact, advanced technical skills and leadership responsibilities can bring salaries above six figures in certain markets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall <strong>data analyst job outlook<\/strong> is expected to remain strong, since companies are investing more and more in analytics, automation, and digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What industries hire the most data analysts?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the industries with the strongest demand for data analysts include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Healthcare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retail<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marketing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizations that rely heavily on reporting, forecasting, customer insights, or operational efficiency have an especially strong demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to advance your data analyst career with a master&#8217;s degree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advanced education is a great way to deepen your technical and strategic expertise and make your way further down the <strong>data analyst career path<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graduate programs like MIU\u2019s Master&#8217;s Degree in Business Intelligence<strong>, <\/strong>Master\u2019s in Visual Analytics and Big Data,<strong> <\/strong>and<strong> <\/strong>Continuing Education Course in Corporate Finance can help equip you with critical skills and real-world experience to prepare you for advanced roles like <a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/blog\/analyst-bi\/\">BI analyst<\/a>, reporting specialist, and <strong>business intelligence<\/strong> manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google. (n.d.). <em>Google Data Analytics Certificate<\/em>. Google Career Certificates.<a href=\"https:\/\/grow.google\/certificates\/data-analytics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> https:\/\/grow.google\/certificates\/data-analytics\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Microsoft. (n.d.). <em>Power BI overview<\/em>. Microsoft Learn.<a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/power-bi\/fundamentals\/power-bi-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/power-bi\/fundamentals\/power-bi-overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). <em>Operations research analysts<\/em>. Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/math\/operations-research-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/math\/operations-research-analysts.htm<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re wondering how to become a data analyst, graduate programs like MIU\u2019s Master&#8217;s Degree in Business Intelligence and Master\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":37384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_programas_asociados":[],"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37381"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37390,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37381\/revisions\/37390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}