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Sector

Careers in Data & Analytics Services

Data and analytics services help organizations understand and use their data. Remote-friendly work with moderate credentials and growing demand.

477K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$87K
Median salary
Across all roles
Data & Analytics Services jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Data & Analytics Services employment by metro ยท ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ10K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA6K
3.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX5K
4.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV5K
5.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN4K

Jobs per 100K workforce โ€” measures industry density

1.San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA278.5
2.Boulder, CO199.3
3.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA172
4.Durham-Chapel Hill, NC168.7
5.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV165.6
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Data & Analytics Services

Data and analytics services turn information into insight โ€” there's satisfaction in finding patterns, informing decisions, and making data useful. Many find meaning in the detective work of analysis.

The challenge can come from data quality and communicating findings. Real-world data is messy; cleaning takes time. Stakeholders want simple answers from complex data. Tool proliferation requires constant learning. Competition from internal analytics teams exists.

The field varies by specialization and model. Consulting differs from embedded analytics, market research, or data platforms. Advanced analytics differs from business intelligence or reporting. Large firms differ from specialized boutiques.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are substantial: intellectual challenge, growing demand, strong compensation, and insight generation. If you enjoy working with data, can translate findings to business terms, and want analytics careers, data services offers excellent opportunities.

How people break in

Analyst positions require quantitative skills. Data engineering requires programming. Business understanding develops with experience. Communication skills matter for client-facing roles.

Work environment tends toward
Technical analysisBusiness communicationCross-industry applicationTool proficiencyInsight delivery
Industries it connects to
Salary vs. national average
+23%
$87K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$38K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level โ†’
Salary range across all data & analytics services roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$94K
2. Boulder$80K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$77K
4. Trenton-Princeton$71K
5. Durham-Chapel Hill$71K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$73K in mid-market metros to ~$107K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap โ€” metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $107K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ยท $90K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $83K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $94K adj.
Boulder ยท $80K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $77K adj.
Most jobs
New York ยท 21.1M
Los Angeles ยท 13.7M
Chicago ยท 10.3M
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts โ€” signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Data & Analytics Services.

๐Ÿšช
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Technology & Information data
16%
People tend to stay in Technology & Information. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
โ†“ 6%vs. 22% all industries
๐Ÿข
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
88%
Small
<50
9%
Mid
50โ€“249
3%
Large
250+
๐Ÿ 
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Remote-friendly
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
๐Ÿ“‹
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
๐Ÿค
Union Presence
Based on all Technology & Information data
~6%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
โ†“ 6%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Data & Analytics Services

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Technology
13%
$92K median
Explore โ†’
Business Operations
12%
$84K median
Explore โ†’
Engineering
10%
$99K median
Explore โ†’
Admin & Office
10%
$67K median
Explore โ†’
Arts & Media
8%
$102K median
Explore โ†’
Sales
7%
$82K median
Explore โ†’
Median salary for occupations employed within Data & Analytics Services. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Data & Analytics Services

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.