Data Analytics Jobs in Comparison: Data Analyst vs. BI Analyst vs. Data Scientist

There are different career paths in Data & Analytics, ranging from Data Analysts to BI Analysts to Data Scientists. But how do they differ from each other?

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Data analytics is an important part of the modern working world. The goal of data analytics is to gain insights, identify trends and make informed business decisions by processing and analyzing large volumes of data. Companies want to use data analytics to optimize business processes, reduce costs and improve decision-making. That's why most digital companies are currently hiring for data jobs.

In this article, we'll go over the roles, skills, and differences of Data Analysts, Data Scientists, and BI Analysts, as these are arguably the most important data roles in organizations today.

Data analytics jobs in comparison: What does a data analyst do?

Data Analysts are subject matter experts in the field of data analysis and play an important role in companies that work with large amounts of data. They are responsible for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to enable stakeholders to make informed business decisions and optimize processes.

A Data Analyst should have skills in data analysis, statistics, programming, and data visualization. In addition, a data analyst should also be able to understand and interpret complex data models in order to make informed recommendations.

Typical tasks of a data analyst include identifying trends and patterns in data, creating reports and presentations based on data. Furthermore, a data analyst should be able to develop data models to make possible predictions on business results.

A data analyst in Germany earns an average of 55,000 euros per year. As in other professions, the salary depends on factors such as professional experience, skillset and location. Depending on professional experience, the salary can rise up to 68,000 euros per year. The easiest way to become a Data Analyst as a career changer:in is to take an online course that teaches all the necessary skills or supplements existing skills. One way to become a data analyst in just four months while working is to take the Data Analyst Training From StackFuel.

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Data Analytics Jobs in Comparison: What is a BI Analyst?

BI Analysts are in the business intelligence field and analyze data in a manner similar to Data Analysts to provide a basis for making informed decisions. However, BI Analysts have lower entry-level requirements. As a BI Analyst, you should be able to process and analyze large amounts of data using any business intelligence tool such as Power BI. Knowledge of a database language is very helpful here. In addition to technical skills, communication and presentation skills are essential to present and communicate results in an understandable manner.

Although the tasks of a BI analyst can vary depending on the company and industry, a BI analyst is mainly responsible for collecting, organizing and analyzing data to support stakeholders in decision-making. Specific areas of responsibility may include reporting, monitoring KPIs and optimizing business processes.

A BI analyst in Germany earns an average of 56,132 euros per year. With increasing professional experience, up to 70,000 euros per year can be expected. To become a BI Analyst, you should have a good working knowledge of a business intelligence tool such as Power BI or Tableau, as well as sufficient expertise in a database language such as SQL. The easiest way that combines these two aspects is the BI Analyst Training From StackFuel.

Data Analytics Jobs Comparison: What is a Data Scientist?

Data Scientists are also responsible for gaining insights from large amounts of data that help optimize business processes and improve decision-making. However, data scientists very often also work with unstructured data such as texts, images or recordings.

A Data Scientist needs a sound knowledge of mathematics, statistics and a programming language such as Python or R. In addition, a Data Scientist must be able to set up machine learning algorithms and should also be familiar with SQL. Furthermore, a creative way of thinking, an understanding of logic and the ability to solve complex problems are indispensable.

In companies, Data Scientists typically take on tasks that involve collecting, cleansing and analyzing data. In addition, Data Scientists set up machine learning algorithms, e.g. to project company data into the future, and present their results to management via dashboards.

A Data Scientist in Germany earns an average of 65,000 euros per year. With increasing professional experience, the salary rises to up to 80,000 euros. Many data scientists have a master's degree in a STEM field (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences or technology). However, you should not be deterred by this, as there are also opportunities to enter the field as a Data Scientist. The most practical solution for this is the Data Scientist Course from StackFuel, which both teaches the theoretical principles and teaches practical application.

Conclusion: Data Analyst, BI Analyst and Data Scientist in comparison

Data Analysts, BI Analysts and Data Scientists all three have a similar job description. Despite the similarities, there are some significant differences:

Data Analysts are primarily concerned with analyzing data to make decisions and analyze trends. The focus for BI Analysts is primarily to guide business process improvement and provide data-based recommendations. Data Scientists, on the other hand, have a deeper understanding of mathematics and are expected to use machine learning to make predictions about the future and, ideally, automate decision-making processes.

In terms of specific skills and knowledge, Data Scientists usually have more in-depth knowledge of mathematics and computer science than Data Analysts. BI Analysts, on the other hand, usually have more business knowledge than Data Analysts and Data Scientists, but do not need Python or R knowledge for this.

Infographic in Data Analytics Jobs blog article: "Data Analyst vs BI Analyst vs Data Scientist, Skills, Duties and Salary Comparison".

In general, data analytics jobs offer a variety of career opportunities and allow for long-term stability due to the growing demand. Which of these three jobs is right for you depends on your skills and individual preferences. A lateral entry into all three fields is possible with an online course from StackFuel. If you're interested in one of these courses, feel free to consult with one of our digital training experts to find out which course is the best fit for you.

Banner for StackFuel's free continuing education counseling with and without an education voucher and for financing options for online courses.

Sources

Glassdoor (2023):" Salary as Data Scientist in Germany" [12.04.2023]

Glassdoor (2023):" Business Intelligence Analyst Salary in Germany" [12.04.2023]

Glassdoor (2023):" Salary as Data Analyst in Germany" [12.04.2023]

Louisa is a native of Berlin and a Junior Data Scientist at StackFuel. She studied biochemistry in her hometown and bioinformatics in nearby Potsdam. After graduating, she worked in medical research, where she was specifically tasked with analyzing medical data to study cancer prognosis in children. Evaluating the vast amounts of data was very valuable to Louisa and she fondly remembers the feeling when she was able to extract relevant, actionable information from the data. Louisa wants to bring this valuable skill and her enjoyment of data analysis to learners at StackFuel and make it fun to experience.

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