Data analyst-statistician
Data analyst-statisticians collect data and statistics to identify trends, create forecasting models and help organisations to improve their service.
Also known as: Statistics officer
- Starter salary£28,000 a year
- Experienced£65,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a data analyst-statistician, you could:
- help to design scientific research studies
- gather and organise data ready for analysis
- check the quality of data and remove exceptions
- use analytical tools and techniques to find patterns, trends and relationships
- develop artificial intelligence methods to automate work on large datasets
- create models to predict likely outcomes, for example in weather forecasting
- prepare analyses in different formats, such as graphs
- present findings to clients and policy makers to help them make decisions
- use and store data in line with data protection and information security standards
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- analytical thinking skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- persistence and determination
- the ability to work on your own
- concentration skills
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to become a data analyst-statistician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- a graduate training scheme
University
You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- statistics
- mathematics
- economics
- operational research
- psychology
You may be able to apply for jobs if you have a degree in a subject that included statistics as part of your course, for example social science or geography.
Courses that give you the chance to spend a year in industry or get work experience through placements, internships or real business projects may give you an advantage when you are looking for graduate jobs.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
You may be able to start in a junior position after completing a college course. Relevant courses include:
- maths
- statistics
- computing
- economics
- T level in Digital Data Analytics
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply for an apprenticeship to get a trainee position, such as:
- Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Data Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Data Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Data Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
If you want to work in health data analysis, you may be able to do a Medical Statistician Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
Volunteering
You can develop your professional skills and gain real work experience by helping community organisations and charities. For example, through schemes run by the Royal Statistical Society .
Other routes
You can apply to join the Government Statistical Service (GSS) as a graduate trainee through the Civil Service Fast Stream programme . You'll need a good degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as statistics, maths or economics.
The GSS also directly recruits graduates and people with relevant experience into positions like statistical officer.
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Career path and progression
You can use your skills to work in a lot of different areas, for example healthcare, finance, environment, sports and e-commerce.
With experience, you could:
- become a senior or lead data analyst, or data team manager
- work as a freelance consultant
- move into teaching and academic research
- become a data scientist , developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help businesses overcome challenges and be more efficient
Career tips
Skills in data analysis and statistics can be used in many areas of work. For instance, you might:
- use statistical software to analyse risk in banking and insurance
- investigate market research into consumer habits
- analyse results from clinical trials
- create models to predict demand for services or goods
- check quality control standards in drug and food testing
Guides for this industry
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