When making the decision to begin a career in data analytics, it’s important to be aware of the pay scales and benefits that typically come with this career choice.
To help you navigate this, here is a helpful guide to average UK data analyst salaries and benefits.
Data analyst jobs are frequent across a range of areas, including:
Business intelligence
Data quality
Finance
Education
Marketing
Sales
Average data analysts salary ranges
Data analysts, across a variety of sectors, are in high demand due to the value they provide to business operations through their ability to analyse insights and trends, helping to futureproof an organisation.
As a result, the average salary for a data analyst in the UK is £35,000 per year, but can range anywhere between £30,000 and £40,000.
For those looking to start their careers, an entry-level data analyst can expect an average starting salary range between £23,000 - £25,000, while those at the opposite end of the spectrum – professionals with years of relevant experience – may receive a salary exceeding £60,000 depending on their type of experience and sector.
Data analyst salaries may also vary depending on location, as professionals can often earn more in larger cities like London, Edinburgh or Manchester. The average salary for a data analyst in London is between £40,000 - £50,000 per year.
Figures are intended as a guide and are based on data from reed.co.uk.
How data analysts salaries compare to other specialisms
Other specialist roles with a similar scope include research analysts, data scientists, business analysts and research scientists.
The average annual salary range for some of the above specialist roles are:
Research analyst
The average salary range for a research analyst in the UK is £35,000 - £45,000 per annum.
Data scientist
The average salary range for a data scientist in the UK is £50,000 - £65,000 per annum.
Business analyst
The average salary range for a business analyst in the UK is £55,000 - £75,000 per annum.
Research scientist
The average salary range for a research scientist in the UK is £39,000 - £45,000 per annum.
Roles and responsibilities
Data analysts are expected to analyse, model and interpret data using specialist tools to generate information that helps business leaders make decisions. By looking into data, and the trends, patterns and anomalies within it, data analysts play an integral part in bringing an organisation closer to its stakeholders and customers.
Typical duties of a data analyst’s job in the UK include:
Using specialist tools to extract data
Responding to data-related requests
Analysing data and carrying out surveys to identify trends
Setting up and maintaining automated data processes
Researching new ways to make use of data
Producing and tracking key performance indicators
Monitoring and auditing data quality
Producing reports and charts communicating data trends
Presenting information from data to clients, managers and stakeholders
Holiday entitlement
The majority of data analysts, regardless of sector or location, will receive similar holiday entitlement for their services. This will usually be in the form of 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, and may rise over time when certain service requirements are met.
This is in line with the regulated statutory leave entitlement.
Data analyst benefits
Additional benefits for data analysts can include a company pension plan, private medical insurance and enrolment into a company bonus scheme. Each organisation’s offer will differ, but the aforementioned benefits are often included as standard, and can be negotiated depending on the seniority of the position.
Data analyst roles were usually office-based, but since the pandemic, most companies are willing to offer hybrid working, where time can be split between the office and at home. Consultation roles, where you work directly with a client’s in-house team, may involve travel to specific locations, where expenses can be claimed.
Qualifications and training
As with most analytics roles, data analyst jobs usually require professionals to be educated to an undergraduate degree level or similar. As there are limited university courses for data analytics, a bachelor's degree in a related field – like mathematics, statistics, computer science, or data science – is desirable.
You can become a data analyst with any degree subject, so long as it demonstrates the relevant skills employers are looking for, which include:
Sound numerical and analytical skills
Knowledge of data analysis tools
Knowledge of data modelling, cleansing, and enrichment techniques
The ability to develop procedures and workflows
Sound understanding of data protection issues
Professional certifications aren't usually required but may be offered by some companies as personal development and training. You can choose to specialise in a particular programme or tool, or even become certified with bodies such as The Chartered Institute for IT or The Operational Research Society.
After a few years, there may be an opportunity to develop in other key areas such as project management or senior leadership.
Plenty of training providers offer courses for upskilling in data analytics. See more on Reed Courses here.
Career progression
The career progression of a data analyst can vary, but is likely to follow a traditional route from entry-level through to senior level or management positions.
After a few years’ experience, there may be scope to secure roles such as a senior data analyst or analytics manager. The average salary for a senior data analyst in the UK is £41,000 per year, and the average salary for an analytics manager is £50,000.
Other options might be to work as a data specialist, where you specialise in specific areas of analytics and data, or as a data scientist, working on advanced technology including automation, machine learning and data modelling. New emerging roles within business intelligence are also highly sought after, with the average salary for a business intelligence analyst in the UK ranging from £40,000 - £50,000 per year.
If you want to learn more about the salaries and benefits you could be earning for your role, download our 2024 salary guides now.
