What does a Data Analyst do ?

A data analyst plays a vital role in modern organizations by transforming raw information into actionable business intelligence. Their primary responsibilities involve the end-to-end processing of information to support strategic decision-making.

The core workflow includes:

• Data Collection & Data Management: Gathering information from various data sources and maintaining robust databases.
• Data Cleaning: Ensuring accuracy by removing inconsistencies or errors from complex datasets.
• Analyzing Data & Data Mining: Applying statistical techniques and data mining to identify trends, patterns, and correlations.
• Data Visualization: Using tools like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI to create clear reports and dashboards.

Through business analytics, a data analyst interprets metrics related to CRM, finance, and operations. By collaborating with stakeholders and data scientists, they provide the insights necessary for companies to grow and respond to market changes in real time. Ultimately, their work bridges the gap between technical IT infrastructure and executive business goals.

A data analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data to help organizations make data-driven business decisions. Their primary mission is to manage and model company data, ensure data quality, and transform raw data into actionable insights.
 

Key Responsibilities of a Data Analyst

• Transform raw data from multiple sources into structured, statistical datasets
• Clean, validate, and prepare data to ensure accuracy and reliability
• Integrate data into databases and data warehouses
• Develop dashboards and data visualizations using tools like Power BI and Tableau
• Define, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Automate data processes and write queries to improve efficiency
• Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends and patterns
• Maintain and manage data analysis tools and reporting systems
• Stay up to date with new data analytics tools, techniques, and best practices

Role of a Data Analyst in Business

Data analysts play a critical role in turning complex datasets into meaningful insights that support strategy, planning, and operational decisions. By ensuring high data quality and delivering clear visualizations, they enable stakeholders across teams to understand performance, identify opportunities, and reduce risk.

As data analysts gain experience, they often contribute to designing advanced data solutions, improving analytics workflows, and solving complex business problems using data. Their work directly impacts efficiency, growth, and competitive advantage.

Core data analyst responsibilities include:

• data analysis
• data cleaning
• data visualization
• data quality management
• KPI reporting
• business intelligence
• actionable insights

A data analyst must master various tools and software, such as Excel, Web Analytics, BI, SAS, VBA, and Python, and have fundamental programming skills. They should also be proficient in writing reports and recommendations. This professional must have a genuine passion for numbers and statistics.

In terms of soft skills, a data analyst must:

• Have good interpersonal skills;
• Be meticulous, organized, and responsive;
• Possess analytical thinking;
• Be proficient in English.

Data analysts often work with large datasets, including both structured and unstructured data. They must be able to clean and transform raw data into a format suitable for analysis. Data collection is an essential part of their role, as they gather information from various sources to build comprehensive datasets.

Data management is another critical skill for data analysts, as they are responsible for organizing and maintaining data systems. They must also be proficient in using data transformation tools like Power Query to prepare data for analysis. Analysts use their statistical analysis skills to interpret data and provide actionable insights to decision-makers.

To become a data analyst, pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Data Science for Responsible Business (BSc) at emlyon business school is an optimal choice.

This four-year program, taught in English, offers a hybrid education combining engineering sciences and management. This BSc program relies on the expertise of two prestigious schools: emlyon business school and École Centrale de Lyon.

BSc in Data Science brochure

For students with a bachelor's degree, enrolling in a Master or Master of Science (MSc) degree in data are learning path the door to careers as a data analyst.

• The Master in Digital Marketing & Data Analytics offered by emlyon business school will allow you to build four key skill areas over the course of the year: you will learn to manage a digital strategy and its performance indicators, produce and analyze data, develop programmatic skills to meet a company's marketing challenges, and identify new opportunities and development potentials with ethical and environmental considerations.

Master in Digital Marketing & Data Analytics brochure

• The Master in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to teach advanced methods and techniques to master essential concepts and skills for designing AI strategies. Understanding artificial intelligence and data science responsibly is achievable through learning methods that combine technical, strategic, and ethical approaches. You will develop a global vision and discover the specificities of markets in two distinct countries, and benefit from a genuine international perspective.

Master in Data Science & AI Strategy brochure 

• To specialize in healthcare, the Master of Science in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science aims to diversify your skills and acquire in-depth knowledge covering health ecosystems, big data processing, and AI integration.

These programs provide students with the essential training needed to become proficient data analysts. Students will learn to analyze complex data sets and use programming languages to perform data analysis. The curriculum includes hands-on experience with tools and techniques used in the industry, preparing students to meet the demands of the job market.

MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science brochure

The salary of a data analyst varies based on experience, industry, company size, and location. Overall, data analysts earn competitive compensation due to strong demand in the job market.

• Entry-level data analyst salary: €38,000–€45,000 gross per year
• Mid-level data analyst salary (3–5 years experience): €55,000–€65,000 gross per year
• Senior data analyst salary: Higher compensation depending on specialization, leadership responsibilities, and industry

Salaries tend to be higher in sectors with large data volumes such as finance, technology, consulting, healthcare, and industrial analytics.

What factors influence a data analyst’s pay?

A data analyst’s income and compensation depend on:

• Level of experience (junior, mid-level, senior)
• Company size and data complexity
• Industry and business activity
• Technical expertise (SQL, Python, BI tools, machine learning)
• Geographic location

Career prospects for data analysts

The career prospects for data analysts are strong and diverse, with opportunities across multiple industries. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, demand for skilled analysts continues to grow.

Common career paths include:

• Lead Data Analyst: Managing teams and overseeing analytics projects
• Chief Data Officer (CDO): Leading data strategy and governance at an executive level
• Data Scientist: Transitioning into advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and AI
• Specialized roles: Business intelligence analyst, product analyst, or healthcare data analyst

Job market outlook

The job market for data analysts is strong and continues to grow as organizations rely on data to drive decisions, improve efficiency, and gain competitive advantage. Data analyst jobs are in demand across industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, retail, government, and manufacturing. Employment opportunities range from entry-level roles focused on data cleaning, reporting, and basic analysis to senior positions involving advanced analytics, strategy, and leadership.

Career opportunities for data analysts are supported by steady job growth, competitive salaries, and flexible work options, including hybrid and fully remote roles. Entry-level candidates benefit from the expanding need for junior analysts, while experienced professionals see strong demand for specialized skills in SQL, Python, machine learning, and data visualization. Overall, the data analyst job market offers broad industry access, long-term employment stability, and clear pathways for career advancement from junior to senior roles.

Professionals who enhance their skills through certifications, advanced analytics, and industry specialization can significantly increase both salary and long-term career growth.

Founded in 1872, emlyon business school hosts over 9,050 students from 125 nationalities. It has a global presence with four campuses around the world and 200 international partners. The action learning pedagogy of emlyon business school emphasizes the "learning experience journey," preparing students for new business challenges.

The School's programs include courses in data analytics, preparing students to excel in roles that require analytical and technical skills. Students have access to a range of resources, including online education platforms and practical exercises, to enhance their learning experience. The School's strong network of alumni and industry connections provides students with valuable opportunities to grow their careers.

Professors at emlyon business school focus on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the data analytics field. The curriculum is designed to be both comprehensive and practical, ensuring that graduates are ready to tackle the challenges of a data-driven world. Students are encouraged to explore different aspects of data analytics, from data collection and analysis to the implementation of data-driven solutions.

With a strong emphasis on real-world applications and experiential learning, emlyon business school prepares students for successful careers in data analytics and related fields. The School's programs equip students with the technical skills and business acumen needed to excel in today's competitive job market.