What Do Data Specialists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for data specialists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what data specialists do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Data Specialists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about data specialists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Data Specialists design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
Popular Job Titles For Data Specialists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Data Architects
- Database Developers
- Data Governance Managers
- Infrastructure Architects
- Data Specialists
- Data Engineering Managers
- Data Managers
- Data Coordinators
- Data Stewards
- Database Architects
- Azure Architects
- Data Management Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for data specialists can be found.
Best Industries for Data Specialists
Data Specialists Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 23.3%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 9.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 6.2%
- Insurance Carriers: 5.9%
- Software Publishers: 5.8%
- Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: 5.7%
- Other: 44%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of data specialists can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 23.3% of all jobs for data specialists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (9.1%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (6.2%), Insurance Carriers (5.9%), Software Publishers (5.8%) and Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (5.7%).
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What Do Data Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what data specialists do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work data specialists do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that data specialists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for data specialists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Data Specialists
Based on 111,022 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Data Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| SQL (Programming Language) | 28,142 | 25% |
| Data Management | 25,123 | 23% |
| Computer Science | 24,399 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 24,001 | 22% |
| Project Management | 19,108 | 17% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Data Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 49,096 | 44% |
| Management | 41,989 | 38% |
| Leadership | 29,659 | 27% |
| Operations | 25,601 | 23% |
| Problem Solving | 24,438 | 22% |
Based on 111,022 job postings related to data specialists, sql (programming language) was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 25% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for data management, computer science, data analysis, project management and data governance were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for data specialists, followed by management, leadership, operations, problem solving and research.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| SQL (Programming Language) | 28,142 | 25% |
| Data Management | 25,123 | 23% |
| Computer Science | 24,399 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 24,001 | 22% |
| Project Management | 19,108 | 17% |
| Data Governance | 17,740 | 16% |
| Data Modeling | 17,271 | 16% |
| Data Warehousing | 17,190 | 15% |
| Data Quality | 17,166 | 15% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 16,087 | 14% |
| Data Architecture | 15,725 | 14% |
| Extract Transform Load (ETL) | 15,005 | 14% |
| Agile Methodology | 14,891 | 13% |
| Amazon Web Services | 13,789 | 12% |
| Microsoft Azure | 13,016 | 12% |
| Business Intelligence | 11,442 | 10% |
| Automation | 11,104 | 10% |
| Auditing | 11,072 | 10% |
| Workflow Management | 10,733 | 10% |
| Business Requirements | 9,717 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 49,096 | 44% |
| Management | 41,989 | 38% |
| Leadership | 29,659 | 27% |
| Operations | 25,601 | 23% |
| Problem Solving | 24,438 | 22% |
| Research | 18,865 | 17% |
| Planning | 18,854 | 17% |
| Writing | 17,905 | 16% |
| Detail Oriented | 17,649 | 16% |
| Customer Service | 16,204 | 15% |
| Microsoft Excel | 14,511 | 13% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 13,812 | 12% |
| Innovation | 13,551 | 12% |
| Presentations | 13,467 | 12% |
| Governance | 12,905 | 12% |
| Microsoft Office | 11,983 | 11% |
| Information Technology | 11,850 | 11% |
| Coordinating | 11,636 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 11,557 | 10% |
| Influencing Skills | 11,157 | 10% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Data Specialists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Architects | 11,944 | 21.2% |
| Database Developers | 4,516 | 8% |
| Data Governance Managers | 4,837 | 8.6% |
| Infrastructure Architects | 4,153 | 7.4% |
| Data Specialists | 3,638 | 6.5% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was data architects, with 6,433 unique job postings. Database developers were second, with 2,262 postings, followed by data governance managers, infrastructure architects and data specialists.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to data specialists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Architects | 11,944 | 21.2% |
| Database Developers | 4,516 | 8% |
| Data Governance Managers | 4,837 | 8.6% |
| Infrastructure Architects | 4,153 | 7.4% |
| Data Specialists | 3,638 | 6.5% |
| Data Engineering Managers | 2,752 | 4.9% |
| Data Managers | 2,873 | 5.1% |
| Data Coordinators | 3,229 | 5.7% |
| Data Stewards | 2,197 | 3.9% |
| Database Architects | 1,954 | 3.5% |
| Azure Architects | 1,421 | 2.5% |
| Data Management Managers | 1,938 | 3.4% |
| Directors of Data Engineering | 1,575 | 2.8% |
| Big Data Developers | 1,597 | 2.8% |
| Knowledge Managers | 1,588 | 2.8% |
| Data Product Managers | 1,347 | 2.4% |
| Information Specialists | 1,582 | 2.8% |
| Cloud Infrastructure Architects | 1,193 | 2.1% |
| Data Warehouse Architects | 862 | 1.5% |
| Data Warehouse Developers | 1,062 | 1.9% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for data specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for data specialists.
How much do data specialists make?
Data Specialists: How do you become one?
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