Data visualisation analyst: job description
Last updated: 21 Jun 2023, 15:37
Data visualisation analysts produce graphic representations of data for use by data experts and organisation leaders.
What does a data visualisation analyst do? Graduate salaries | Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills
Data visualisation is about presenting large amounts of information – big data – in ways that are easy to understand and use to identify trends and anomalies. This work can be done by data analysts or data scientists, but it’s becoming more common for organisations employ specialist data visualisation analysts.
Typical duties include:
- identifying data sources and appropriate ways to analyse data
- using coding languages such as R and Python to analyse data
- using specialist tools such as Tableau and PowerBI to present data in visual forms such as dashboards
- working with managers and business analysts to establish briefs for data-related projects
- managing projects, often using agile methodology
- researching and testing data analysis and visualisation tools
- training and supporting colleagues using datasets
- reporting on data trends, including to non-expert colleagues
Graduate salaries
Salaries for graduates in data visualisation roles tend to start at around £25,000, according to Adlib Recruitment. This is an in-demand role and your earnings will increase as you gain experience. As a senior data visualisation analyst, you could earn around £60,000.
Typical employers of data visualisation analysts
- Banks
- Specialist software development companies
- Consulting firms
- Telecommunications companies
- Public sector organisations, including the NHS
- Large voluntary sector organisations
- Retailers
- Universities.
Jobs are advertised on targetjobs and by careers services. You’ll also find them advertised by specialist IT recruitment agencies and on sector-specific jobs boards such as jobs.nhs.uk (for jobs in the NHS) and thirdsector.co.uk (for jobs in voluntary organisations).
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Qualifications and training required
It’s common for data visualisation analysts to start out in a data analyst or data scientist role. You’ll typically need a degree in a STEM subject to do this, and many recruiters will look for degrees that focus on analytical skills, such as maths, statistics and computer science.
Data analyst apprenticeships are also available for school leavers.
If you want to specialise straight away in data visualisation, you could consider studying via a MOOC or a postgraduate degree.
Key skills for visualisation analysts
Recruiters in this field will be looking for:
- excellent technical skills, including programming and data analysis
- communication skills, both written and oral
- project management skills
- attention to detail
- presentation skills
- the ability to communicate complex information accurately and concisely to non-experts.
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