7 Data Analytics Careers That Are in High Demand, and How to Stand Out
Worried about AI taking your job? If you have the right skills in business and data analytics, AI could actually boost your chances of keeping it.
Luke Cherveny, senior lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at Bentley and director of the Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA) program, attributes the rise in analytics jobs to three things:
- the exponential growth of business data
- an increasing reliance on data-driven insights and analytics
- the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into decision-making
“A wide range of careers now rely on analytics — from business intelligence and operations research to healthcare and financial analytics — and demand for these roles continues to grow,” Cherveny says.
A prime example: According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow by 36% from 2023 to 2033 — far outpacing the average for other occupations. The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024.
Cherveny agrees the projection is likely to hold true, but he cautions it’s important to read the fine print when it comes to specific roles.
“While there’s broad agreement within the analytics world about variations like soft versus technical roles, or data analyst versus data scientist, job titles can vary widely across companies and industries, and often don’t fully reflect a position’s actual responsibilities,” he says. “What’s consistent, though, is that all analytics roles draw on a foundation of statistical thinking, to generate insights and support decision-making, along with skills in software, communication, business acumen and domain expertise.”
Analytics Careers to Watch
Here are seven analytics jobs that are particularly in high demand right now:
Business analyst
Translates business needs into actionable insights by identifying patterns in data, evaluating processes and supporting strategic initiatives. Combines analytical thinking with communication skills to align technical analysis with organizational goals.
Data analyst
Interprets complex datasets to uncover trends, monitor key metrics and guide evidence-based decisions. Uses statistical tools and quantitative techniques to distill clarity from noise, supporting teams across domains with reliable, data-driven narratives.
Operations research analyst
Applies statistical modeling and optimization techniques to improve decision-making in areas like logistics, resource allocation and planning. Balances mathematical rigor with practical problem-solving to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Systems analyst
Evaluates and improves how technology supports business functions, bridging the gap between technical teams and operational needs. Leverages analytical tools to assess system performance and recommend scalable, data-informed solutions.
Business intelligence analyst
Designs and develops dashboards and other reporting systems that synthesize performance data into clear, actionable insights. Focuses on enabling real-time visibility and long-term strategic understanding through careful data interpretation.
Marketing analyst
Analyzes customer behavior, campaign performance and market trends to refine messaging and target the right audience. Uses data to quantify impact, anticipate market shifts and support creative and strategic marketing choices.
Product analyst
Evaluates user engagement, feature adoption and product performance to inform design and development priorities. Translates behavioral data into recommendations that improve the customer experience and align product strategy with business goals.
When it comes to job title variations, Cherveny adds that modifiers might indicate industry — such as health data analyst, financial analyst and sports analyst — or a focus within a company — marketing analyst, human resources analyst and supply chain analyst, for example.
Developing Skills to Analyze and Communicate Data
The Bentley MSBA is uniquely designed to build both deep and broad technical skills to analyze data. But to stand out, analysts also need to know how to present business solutions. Effectively combining the two takes practice.
Bentley MSBA students benefit from a wide range of experiential learning opportunities:
- A dedicated MSBA Project Course in which student teams develop data-driven solutions for a corporate partner, present progress updates and receive direct feedback from the company.
- Students can collaborate with faculty on research projects or work on consulting projects for corporate and nonprofit clients through Bentley’s Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS).
- CADS hosts a variety of events that connect students with the broader analytics community — including alumni panels, data competitions, topical talks and workshops led by industry professionals.
Bentley MSBA students can choose to tailor their degrees by taking electives in one of five focus areas: data science, finance, information management, management and marketing. Graduates land jobs at businesses like Adidas, Boston Children’s Hospital, Deloitte, Epsilon, Fidelity Investments and Google. Zaida Pimentel, MSBA ’25, MBA ’26 joined the Strategic Sales and Analytics team at SharkNinja.
“From predictive modeling to storytelling with numbers, the Bentley MSBA program sharpened my ability to spot insights that move business strategies forward,” Pimentel says. “Whether we were debating AI ethics or dissecting startup case studies, conversations pushed me to merge analytical rigor with real-world empathy. I learned that at the heart of every spreadsheet and event plan was a simple goal: build connections and drive measurable impact. That purpose will continue to guide me.”
And as businesses increasingly rely on AI to analyze data and guide strategy, the outlook for analytics careers remains strong. Those who can analyze data — and communicate how it can drive solutions and innovation — will help future-proof their career.