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Numbers are your thing - but you lack attractive career prospects? You know your way around Excel, but you want your job to be more than just "secretarial"? Are you currently looking for a job - and are you looking for something with a future? No matter which of these questions you answered "yes" to: a lateral entry job as a data analyst is an option for you!
As a data analyst, you will collect, prepare and evaluate data so that business decisions can be made on a reliable basis. But in addition to banks and insurance companies, data analysts are also in demand in many other industries: from weather forecasting to environmental research and from e-commerce to online marketing, the interests are diverse and the job as a data analyst is a door opener to exciting topics. If you meet all the requirements and have a good knowledge of the subject, data analyst is a really promising profession - also in terms of your potential salary!
Sounds good? We think so too! In the next few paragraphs, we will explain the tasks of a Data Analyst and tell you what you need to bring to the table for a career change.
By the way: If you are interested in further training as a Data Analyst, you can do so thanks to the education voucher even free of charge under certain conditions.
What does a data analyst do?
As a data analyst, you collect and process various types of data: whether it's usage data from the Internet, business figures or financial market data is of secondary importance. Where necessary, you put the data into context, identify business trends or problems and make the data available to decision-makers.
You often work closely with other data-driven colleagues, such as data scientists or business analysts. To better understand this, we have described it here, How to become a data analyst and what distinguishes the different job titles from one another.
What requirements do you need to meet to become a Data Analyst?
The job of a data analyst is not precisely defined. Data analyst is not a classic apprenticeship - the ideal prerequisite for a lateral entry. As a data analyst, a lot happens through "learning by doing" - but that doesn't mean that everyone has what it takes to become a data analyst! So what do you need to become a data analyst?
Depending on what you have done professionally, what you have learned or studied, it will be easier or more difficult for you to start as a data analyst. Experience in certain industries can also help you. However, you don't have to be able to do everything straight away; the hard and soft skills you bring with you are much more important:
Technical skills:
- Strong knowledge of mathematics and statistics
- Programming skills
- Proficiency in programming languages, e.g. Python, Java, R, SQL
- Software knowledge, e.g. Excel
Personal characteristics:
- Good ability to concentrate
- Analytical thinking
- Willingness to learn and interest in innovation
- High sense of responsibility
- Ability to work in a team and independently
You now know what you need to bring to the table as a Data Analyst - but you're worried because you can't fulfill every point? Further training is ideal for closing one or two knowledge gaps - which, by the way, can also be funded with an education voucher from the Federal Employment Agency! In the next section, we will show you what you need to look out for.
What further training should you have as a Data Analyst career changer?
Due to the high demand for data analysts on the job market, there are also numerous further training and retraining opportunities. Providers include, for example, the Chambers of industry and commerce or private providers.
As there is so much to choose from, you should think a little beforehand about the requirements for the job, where you see gaps in your knowledge and which form of further training is suitable for you.
Specialist areas of data analyst training
The following Topics are often covered in further training for lateral entry data analysts included:
- Basics of mathematics and statistics
- Basics of AI and data analysis
- Project Management
- Tool knowledge
- Programming skills, e.g. with Python
So give yourself a few thoughts about yourself: Do you already have a lot of practical experience in project management and had mathematical introductions during your studies? Then you should perhaps pay more attention to ensuring that your further training gives you the professional tools you need, e.g. how to use standard job tools and programming languages.
If you already have an IT background, you may be able to pick up programming languages such as Python more quickly. In this case, you may be more interested in deepening your understanding of mathematics - there are also in-depth courses here.
Either way, always make sure that best practices and practical applications play a major role in the training courses! This allows you to test your knowledge directly and gain first-hand insights that will set you apart from applicants with purely theoretical training and further education.
The right training provider for your Data Analyst lateral entry
Whether you work full-time, need a lot of time for the children or prefer to learn new things on site: the form of your further education has an immense influence on your learning success. The methods are varied and there is something suitable for everyone:
- Courses on site
- Digital face-to-face event
- Hybrid forms
- Blended learning
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. With StackFuel For example, we rely on blended learning: this means that we combine e-learning content with webinars, personal consultation hours with our mentors and practical challenges and cases. This means that you can learn the theoretical basics flexibly, anytime and anywhere, always have an expert available as a contact person and can Put your new knowledge into practice.
And the best thing is: you can organize your time as you wish - so the training fits in with your everyday life. At the end of the course, you will receive a recognized certificate that will catapult your application to any company as a data analyst.
Our training programs.
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Data Analyst lateral entry salary 2025: what you can expect
According to the Remuneration atlas of the employment agencywhich is based on data from real payrolls, the average remuneration for data analysts and similar positions in Germany is approx. € 68,900 gross per year (median). For newcomers who do not yet have in-depth professional experience in the data sector, the lower quartile is typically used as a guide. This lies at around € 54,500 per year. However, it should be noted that specialized professions are also included here and that there are regional differences.
Another data point for orientation is provided by the Salary information on KununuThe lower salary threshold there is €40,500 gross per year.
For lateral entrants, this means that you can realistically start with around 40,000-55,000 € gross per year depending on the federal state, company size and personal skillset and qualifications. With increasing experience, specializations or additional qualifications, salaries can quickly rise to 85,000 € and more rise.
Would you like to understand in more detail which factors influence your income as a data analyst? In our blog article on the Data Analyst Salary we have broken down in detail what exactly influences how much you earn as a Data Analyst.
Job market: How many open data analyst jobs will there be in 2025?
As of October 2025, there are over 5,700 vacancies for Data Analyst and related job descriptions on Stepstone alone. Indeed shows for example 1,070 vacanciesThe number may vary depending on the search filter (e.g. home office, part-time).
Distribution by location
- Numerous analysts are also needed in rural areas and in cities outside the metropolitan areas, e.g. in Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Lower Saxony.
- In Berlin there are currently around 203 Data Analyst Jobs according to Indeed. Stepstone even lists over 1,000 vacancies for Berlin
- Data analyst jobs are also in high demand in other major cities such as Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne.
Home office and part-time options
Many of the advertised positions offer at least partial home office, so that applicants from more distant regions also have good opportunities for flexible working models. Currently over 1,180 part-time positions for Data Analyst listed on Stepstone.
Our three tips: What you should bear in mind when starting out as a Data Analyst!
Do you think the job of Data Analyst could suit you? Are you looking for a salary of over 40,000 euros per year gross upwards? Then we have a valuable summary for you here: Here's what you should definitely consider before starting your career as a Data Analyst!
Tip 1: Know your worth
As a Data Analyst career changer, you are not an isolated case: Data analysts often used to have another job. So you are no exception! It is therefore important that you first think carefully about which skills and abilities you have for working as a data analyst - and which you should develop further.
Tip 2: Choose your training consciously
Whether you have a degree, are a trained office administrator or have already written thousands of lines of programming language: The job as a data analyst requires every career changer to close other gaps.
The wide range of further training courses allows you to choose exactly the right training for your needs. At StackFuel, for example, we offer two different ones: One for those who primarily Deepen your programming skills and one for career changers who prefer to start with the technical basics.
Tip 3: Don't be afraid of programming
We at StackFuel are told this time and time again: Many prospective students are afraid of programming, especially if it has not played a role in their previous professional life. Our training courses with lots of practical experience and motivating forms of learning will help you to overcome this fear.
You don't believe that? Then read our interview with career changer Siegfried: Just a few weeks after completing his certificate, his Career as a Data Analyst.
As you can see, a lateral entry as a data analyst is not only attractive, it doesn't have to remain a dream! Because with a realistic self-assessment, the right training and motivation, nothing stands in the way of your professional future.
Let's get started: How to succeed as a Data Analyst lateral entry 2025!
Time for a summary: As a data analyst, you are in demand like never before. Thousands of job offers on portals such as Indeed and Stepstone speak for themselves! Many industries are crying out for data specialists - and you could be one of them! With a very good salary and exciting in-depth topics ranging from weather to marketing to finance, the analytical job as a data analyst offers a lot on the plus side.
As a career changer, you must above all have an understanding of mathematics, an interest in programming, a willingness to learn and team spirit - You can acquire the rest with the right further training. Providers such as the IHK or StackFuel offer a wide range of courses that fit in perfectly with your everyday life and your knowledge gaps.
Are you really „data-hungry“ now? Then let our experts advise you and find out exactly which training course is right for you.
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