7 Career Paths for a Certified Data Professional | Coursera

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Explore possible careers as a certified data professional and the requirements for each role.
Certified data professionals can choose from several rewarding career paths in data analysis, data science, statistics, and more.
Data professionals can prepare for various roles by earning a data certification, such as the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or Certified Analytics Professional (CAP).
With a certification, you can demonstrate that you possess valuable skills to excel in a data-focused career.
You can also pursue Professional Certificates in data analytics to enhance your knowledge and prepare for your career.
Explore potential careers for a certified data professional, including salaries and requirements for each role. If you’re ready to start building your data skills, consider enrolling in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate. In as little as four months, you’ll have the chance to learn up-to-date skills and knowledge vital for a data science role. By the end, you’ll have earned a career credential to add to your resume.
Explore seven career paths for a certified data professional below:
*All salary information is the median total pay from Glassdoor as of September 2026. These figures include both base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation.
Median total pay (Glassdoor): $94,000 [1]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 12 percent [2]
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
As a data analyst, you’re responsible not only for collecting and reviewing data, but also using it to solve problems. You communicate your findings to other members of your organization or team, and working with them, you use the data to discover insights about customers, create new strategies, and write research reports for presentation purposes. Your goals are to increase profits and grow the business.
To become a data analyst, you typically need to enter the field with a bachelor’s degree. When studying for your bachelor’s degree, common majors include mathematics, computer science, data analytics, or economics. If you’re looking for more job opportunities, including higher-paying roles, you may consider getting your master’s degree as well.
Median total pay (Glassdoor): $121,000 [3]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 7 percent [4]
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Data analytics consultants use data and their analytical skills to determine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and create new strategies based on their analysis for a business or organization. When you work as a data analytics consultant, you take a look at various data points, such as the outcome of an email or social media campaign, and use the results to figure out what to do next to ensure your company's marketing tactics are successful.
To become a data analytics consultant, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, finance, information technology, or a related field. You may also choose to further your education and experience through internships, certifications, and graduate degrees.
Median total pay (Glassdoor): $181,000 [5]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 4 percent [6]
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
As a data architect, you analyze and utilize data to create databases for companies and businesses using coding infrastructure, which means it’s a good idea for you to have a strong grasp of programming languages such as SQL, Python, or Java. You test out these databases to ensure their functionality and collaborate with others to implement necessary changes to existing database software.
To become a data architect, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field of study. You may choose to receive a master’s degree, which some employers encourage applicants to have.
A certified data professional often refers to someone who has earned the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) credential from DAMA International, though many organizations offer data analytics certifications for you to explore. Earning a data science certification typically indicates that you have met the program's requirements and qualifications, passed a final exam, and demonstrated the skills necessary to excel in a data-centric career.
As a certified data professional, you may possess specific data skills, including problem-solving and the ability to think critically, knowledge of programming languages, and the ability to visualize data.
Median total pay (Glassdoor): $310,000 [7]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 5 percent [8]
Requirements: Master’s degree
Chief data officers oversee and manage a business or company's data team. As a chief data officer (CDO), you must have strong leadership skills and work well with others to ensure accurate data collection and presentation. You are responsible for recruiting a team of well-trained data analysts and ensuring that they deliver data in a timely and organized manner.
To become a chief data officer, employers typically require applicants to hold a master’s degree in a technology-related field, such as computer science, or an advanced degree in business, such as an MBA. As a chief data officer, you must communicate effectively, understand data analysis, and have excellent organizational skills.
Median total pay (Glassdoor): $109,000 [9]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 8 percent [10]
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
As a statistician, you combine statistics and analysis to find trends within data. You also participate in collecting data through surveys, polls, and research. Statisticians typically work in the health care or government industries.
Your requirements to become a statistician may include obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in either statistics or data analytics. Some employers require a