Businesses are recognizing the increasing importance of data experts to help the company grow. As a result, the hiring demand for Data Scientists and Data Management Analysts has grown by 46% since 2019. This projection will only continue to rise in the next few years. So if you’re planning to become a data analyst or a data scientist, then here’s what you need to know.Data Analytics and Data Science: What’s the Difference?Data Analysts and Data Scientists are both proficient in statistics and experienced in using database management systems. However, the key differences between these two professions revolve around their purpose for using the data.The Role of a Data AnalystThese professionals organize and examine structured data to create solutions that will drive a business’ growth. They are tasked with studying sets of data using various tools, such as Excel and SQL, to uncover insights and trends that will serve as an answer to certain queries. For example, they can provide data-driven answers that can explain your marketing campaigns’ conversion rates or improve the logistics of your products. Then, they present these findings to concerned individuals and departments so they can formulate strategies that would boost revenue, efficiency, and other improvements.The Role of a Data ScientistData Scientists are required to use their mathematical and programming skills to build statistical models that can provide solutions for a company’s potential problems. These professionals handle huge sets of both structured and unstructured data and prepare these for processing and analysis. They have to be very proficient in programming to utilize Predictive Analytics, statistics, and Machine Learning in unearthing meaningful insights from all the collected data. Their multidisciplinary approach towards data helps them draw conclusions that are valuable for specific business needs and goals.Career Paths for Aspiring Data AnalystsBusinesses, governments, and other institutions are on the search for individuals who are qualified in interpreting and communicating data. Data analysts are often offered huge salaries and great work benefits because the demand is so high and yet, the pool of talent is very limited.You can become qualified for a wide array of careers in data analytics through a comprehensive master’s degree program that will teach you how to interpret data and present actionable insights. These careers span from digital marketers to quantitative analysts. Graduates can work in governments and insurance companies as financial analysts who are in charge of assessing financial statements and economic trends to boost profit. On the other hand, you can also work as a marketing analyst whose responsibilities involve monitoring sales venues and evaluating consumer data. Their salaries range from $62,000 (Insight Analysts) to as much as $225,000 (highly paid Customer Analysts).Career Paths for Aspiring Data ScientistsData Scientists are experts in statistical analysis and in programming languages, such as Python and R. Thus, the average starting salary for professionals in this field is around $100,000 per year.Data Scientists would need to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in computer science so that they would be adept at using complex software programs that are necessary for the position. If you’re more interested in software development, then you can work as a data engineer. These professionals create infrastructures that can gather and store data that analysts and other scientists may need to use. Data modellers, on the other hand, use techniques and databases to design and document data architecture.You can become a great asset to top companies in the US by pursuing a degree and a career in data analytics or data science. In this digital age, you can only expect that the demand for these positions would rise as data becomes increasingly important in driving business growth. Browse our fantastic data science jobs and data analyst jobs today. Written by Jena Burner for harnham.com