Mastering Big Data Analysis: The Role of a Big Data Analyst

Businesses collect, store, and analyze data to support strategic decision-making, and they hire professionals such as data analysts to achieve these goals. If you’re interested in working with large, complex data sets, a position as a big data analyst could be an excellent match for your goals and interests.  According to Statistica, this career is in high demand, with 87.9 percent of businesses surveyed in 2023 claiming that investing in data and analytics is a top priority for their organization [1].

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Read on to learn more about big data analysts, including the various types of big data analyst jobs available and the average salary for this profession.

What is a big data analyst?

A big data analyst is a data analyst who works with vast and often complex data sets that require more than traditional data management techniques typically provide. As a big data analyst, you would take these immense data sets and use your skills to identify insights that inform strategic planning and decision-making. In this role, you are responsible for streamlining complicated data into actionable reports that help minimize employee turnover, increase profits, and solve problems.

What is big data?

The term b data refers to huge data sets so vast that they require non-traditional management methods and often stem from multiple sources. Companies typically store big data in data lakes or data warehouses. Some examples of big data include stock market data, research, and social media.

Big data analyst skills

Big data analysts need to have a multifaceted skill set that helps them address this role's complex and dynamic responsibilities. While the specific skills might vary based on the industry you might work in, some typical workplace and technical skills include:

Technical

• Advanced analytical skills

• Statistical analysis

• Predictive modeling

• Scripting and software languages

• Data warehousing and database management

• Numerical skills

• Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Workplace

• Communication skills

• Time management

• Problem-solving skills

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Attention to detail and accuracy

Big data analyst tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of a big data analyst vary based on what company and industry you choose to work within. Some common duties you might expect to accomplish include:

• Data collection

• Translate complex data into accessible reports

• Perform analysis on large data sets

• Verify data quality

• Collaborate with other professionals to identify goals for data analysis

Big data analyst tools and technologies

While working as a big data analyst, you tend to use a wide range of tools and technologies to successfully fulfill the expectations of your job. Many of these professionals use various tools to address different types of analysis and data. Some of these tools and technologies include:

• Hadoop is an open-source framework that stores both structured and unstructured data sets. 

• Amazon Redshift is a scalable data warehouse that allows you to analyze all of your stored data quickly and easily.

• YARN, or “Yet Another Resource Negotiator,” refers to a cluster management technology that helps manage resources and scheduling.

• Apache Cassandra is a scalable NoSQL database that manages data sets across multiple data centers.

Career paths and opportunities for big data analysts

Big data analysts have the opportunity to either advance within their role or move into other adjacent job titles that also handle data and analytics. For example, a big data analyst might choose to advance into management positions, such as a database manager, or move into a business intelligence analyst role.

Other career options include big data engineer, data architect, or data scientist. Your decision will depend on what interests you or what you feel passionate about pursuing within your career.

Big data analyst salary and job outlook

Big data analyst jobs exist across various industries, such as marketing, finance, or sales. They'll support businesses that want to use data to advance their strategic goals further. The big data analyst salary in the US averages $94,432 per year, with the potential to earn additional pay of about $27,572, according to Glassdoor [2]. Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that data scientist roles—under which big data analyst jobs fall—will see a 36 percent increase through 2033, which is much faster than average [3].

How to become a big data analyst

Earning a bachelor’s degree is a solid first step on your big data career path. Computer science, statistics, engineering, or mathematics are all good choices to help you develop the strong mathematics foundation necessary for the job. While a master’s degree isn’t always necessary, some jobs prefer employees with advanced degrees. Depending on your chosen field, you might also need to develop more specific skill sets, such as a banking background for a finance role.

Once you earn your degree, you can apply to entry-level positions in the data analysis field such as junior data analyst, data coordinator, or SQL data analyst. These roles allow you to grow and develop your analysis and data management abilities.

Read more: 4 Data Analyst Career Paths: Your Guide to Leveling Up

Certifications for big data analysts

You can also develop these skills through other means, including certifications and professional credentials. The Data Science Council of America (DASCA) offers two such certifications for aspiring or current big data analysts.

• The first is the Associate Big Data Analyst (ABDA) credential, which is meant for someone with a degree in areas like business, economics, or statistics who wishes to begin a career in big data.

• The second credential is the Senior Big Data Analyst (SBDA) certification, and you can earn this one if you are already an experienced analyst who wants to transition into big data analysis. Additionally, if you are currently working in the field of big data and wish to advance your career, the SBDA certification may be a good one for you.

Challenges and trends in big data analysis to consider

The field of big data analysis has positive trends but also some challenges you should consider when deciding to pursue a job. For example, big data analysts are typically in high demand, which means you’ll find lots of chances for advancement and high compensation.

Some challenges in a big data analyst role include the high-pressure nature of the job. You’ll be expected to handle immense data sets and produce accurate insights under tight deadlines, which might feel stressful. These roles sometimes involve tedious, repetitive tasks and might require extensive collaboration with non-tech professionals.

You’ll also want to consider growing trends in the big data field. For example, the rise of generative AI (GenAI) means that, for many businesses, you’ll no longer work with a single source of truth but rather need to spend time vetting collected data for accuracy and value. AI, in general, transforms how data professionals and their teams work and collaborate, so you’ll need to be ready for a changing workplace.  You’ll also find a larger focus on data governance and data privacy frameworks since sensitive data in industries such as health care get used for analysis.

Learn more about big data on Coursera

Big data analysts are professionals who interact with massive data sets and use them to create insights and strategies for businesses to meet specific goals. It’s a dynamic field with ample opportunities.

If you’re interested in big data, you can explore courses and Professional Certificates on Coursera. With options such as UC San Diego’s Big Data Specialization or Google Cloud’s Data Engineering, Big Data, and Machine Learning on GCP Specialization, you can learn more about the foundations of big data and if the field is one that sparks a passion for you. Explore more on Coursera today.