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Top 7 Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs (and How to Get One)

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Top 7 Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs (and How to Get One)

So, you want to break into data analytics—but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. With companies in every industry relying on data to drive decisions, there’s never been a better time to launch a career as a data analyst.

But “data analyst” is just the beginning. There are several roles you can target at the entry level, each with its own flavor, focus, and opportunity to grow.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • The top 7 entry-level data analyst jobs
  • What each role involves
  • What skills you need
  • And how to land one—even if you’re just starting out

🔍 1. Junior Data Analyst

The classic starting point.

What You’ll Do:

  • Clean and organize raw data
  • Run simple queries using SQL
  • Build reports in Excel or BI tools (like Tableau or Power BI)
  • Support senior analysts with larger projects

What You Need:

  • Basics of Excel, SQL, and a data viz tool
  • A good understanding of data types and structures
  • Strong attention to detail

Bonus:

Many junior roles are open to career changers or bootcamp grads.

📊 2. Marketing Data Analyst

Where data meets digital strategy.

What You’ll Do:

  • Track campaign performance (Google Ads, email, SEO, social)
  • Analyze customer behavior and website traffic (Google Analytics, GA4)
  • Build dashboards for marketing KPIs
  • Help optimize conversion funnels

What You Need:

  • Familiarity with marketing platforms (GA4, Meta Ads, HubSpot)
  • Basic SQL and spreadsheet skills
  • A good grasp of metrics like CTR, CPC, ROAS, and bounce rate

Bonus:

This role often leads to roles in growth or performance marketing.

🛍️ 3. Ecommerce/Data Reporting Analyst

Perfect if you love products, numbers, and user behavior.

What You’ll Do:

  • Analyze sales trends and inventory data
  • Segment customers and track retention
  • Build automated sales dashboards
  • Work closely with ops and product teams

What You Need:

  • Excel, SQL, and familiarity with ecommerce platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce)
  • Understanding of revenue, margin, and order data
  • Experience with tools like Looker Studio or Power BI helps

Bonus:

This is a great role to learn end-to-end business operations.

🧪 4. Product Data Analyst (Entry-Level)

For the tech-savvy and curious.

What You’ll Do:

  • Analyze user behavior in apps/websites
  • Support A/B testing efforts
  • Work with product managers on feature usage reports
  • Help define KPIs like DAU, MAU, retention, etc.

What You Need:

  • SQL and data visualization experience
  • Familiarity with product analytics tools (Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap)
  • Basic statistics or experimentation knowledge

Bonus:

A great way to break into tech and transition into product roles.

🧮 5. Operations Analyst

Keep the business running like clockwork.

What You’ll Do:

  • Monitor and improve internal workflows
  • Forecast staffing needs or delivery times
  • Track efficiency metrics and build reports
  • Identify bottlenecks or trends in business ops

What You Need:

  • Excel, SQL, and strong logic skills
  • Comfort working with messy or manual data
  • Great communication and problem-solving abilities

Bonus:

Often leads to project management, analytics, or strategy roles.

💳 6. Financial/Business Analyst

For the data pros who like dollars and cents.

What You’ll Do:

  • Analyze budgets, forecasts, and P&L reports
  • Support monthly/quarterly financial reporting
  • Help identify cost savings or investment opportunities
  • Build financial dashboards

What You Need:

  • Excel, pivot tables, and some financial knowledge
  • SQL or Power BI is a plus
  • Attention to accuracy and trends

Bonus:

Great for those coming from accounting, finance, or econ backgrounds.

🌎 7. Data Analyst Intern or Apprentice

Not technically a full-time job—but a fantastic foot in the door.

What You’ll Do:

  • Assist in cleaning and organizing data
  • Shadow senior analysts
  • Run simple queries and build test dashboards
  • Learn company tools and workflows

What You Need:

  • A portfolio with sample projects (even personal ones)
  • Passion to learn and grow
  • Some SQL + Excel basics

Bonus:

Many internships turn into full-time offers if you show potential.

🛠️ How to Land Your First Data Analyst Job

Here’s a simple roadmap to help you get from "learning" to "hired":

✅ 1. Learn the Must-Have Skills

Focus on:

  • SQL – Your best friend for querying databases
  • Excel – For data wrangling and modeling
  • A BI Tool – Like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio
  • Basic Statistics – Mean, median, standard deviation, A/B testing

✅ 2. Build a Portfolio

Don’t wait for experience—create it.

  • Use free datasets from Kaggle, Data.gov, or Google BigQuery
  • Analyze something you care about: sports stats, Netflix shows, Airbnb prices
  • Visualize your findings and publish them on GitHub or a personal website

✅ 3. Tailor Your Resume

Highlight:

  • Technical skills (SQL, Excel, Tableau)
  • Projects with measurable results
  • Soft skills like problem-solving, communication, attention to detail

Bonus tip: If you’ve done customer service or admin work, frame it in terms of data—e.g., tracking reports, analyzing trends, improving workflows.

✅ 4. Apply Smart (Not Just Fast)

  • Target roles that match your current skill level
  • Use LinkedIn filters for titles like “entry-level,” “junior,” or “associate”
  • Follow up on applications and connect with people in data roles

✅ 5. Practice Interviewing

You’ll likely face:

  • SQL challenges (write simple queries)
  • Excel case studies
  • Behavioral questions (how you solve problems, collaborate, etc.)

Sites like StrataScratch, LeetCode (SQL section), and DataLemur can help you prep.

🎯 Final Thoughts

You don’t need a master’s degree or years of experience to land your first data analyst job. What you do need is:

  • A solid grasp of the fundamentals
  • A portfolio that proves you can work with data
  • And a willingness to keep learning and growing

Start where you are, build one skill at a time, and apply with confidence. The data world needs fresh thinkers—and that means you.

Want help building your first data project, writing a beginner resume, or choosing what tools to learn first? Just ask—I’ve got your back!