Salary for Entry-level / Junior Data Specialist during 2024

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Data Specialist salary lies between USD 46,000 and USD 88,640 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 29, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Entry-level / Junior Data Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Data Specialist job listings are Excel, Data management and Mathematics. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Excel | 151 jobs Data management | 72 jobs Mathematics | 67 jobs Research | 62 jobs Power BI | 62 jobs E-commerce | 58 jobs Data quality | 55 jobs SQL | 52 jobs Finance | 48 jobs Data analysis | 46 jobs Python | 36 jobs Testing | 36 jobs R | 32 jobs Tableau | 26 jobs Engineering | 26 jobs KPIs | 25 jobs Security | 24 jobs Computer Science | 24 jobs Statistics | 22 jobs Machine Learning | 20 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Data Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Data Specialist job listings are Career development, Startup environment and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 163 jobs Startup environment | 93 jobs Health care | 62 jobs Salary bonus | 48 jobs Flex hours | 40 jobs Team events | 39 jobs Competitive pay | 31 jobs Relocation support | 28 jobs Insurance | 25 jobs Medical leave | 20 jobs Flex vacation | 19 jobs Equity / stock options | 16 jobs Parental leave | 13 jobs Wellness | 11 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Flexible spending account | 7 jobs Gear | 6 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Travel | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior data specialist typically consists of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. In the United States, this base salary can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like San Francisco or New York may offer higher base salaries compared to smaller cities. In addition to the base salary, some companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can range from 5% to 15% of the base salary. Larger companies or those in competitive industries might also provide additional remuneration such as stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off are also common components of the total compensation package.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously upgrade your technical skills, especially in programming languages like Python or R, and tools like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's degree in data science, computer science, or a related field can open up higher-paying opportunities.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending industry conferences, joining relevant online communities, and connecting with peers on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Certifications: Obtain relevant certifications to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently exceed performance expectations and take on challenging projects to showcase your capabilities.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level data specialist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, or engineering. Some employers may also consider candidates with degrees in business or economics if they have strong analytical skills and relevant coursework. A solid foundation in mathematics and statistics is crucial, as is proficiency in programming and data analysis tools.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty

These certifications can help validate your skills and make you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Required Experience

For entry-level positions, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or relevant projects during your academic studies. Experience with data manipulation, statistical analysis, and data visualization is often required. Familiarity with machine learning concepts and tools can also be beneficial, even if not mandatory.

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