7 Career Paths for a Certified Data Professional

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Explore possible careers as a certified data professional and the requirements for each role.

[Featured Image] A certified data professional sits at their laptop at home and researches new career paths they can take with a new certification.

Key takeaways

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.

7 career paths for a certified data professional

Explore seven career paths for a certified data professional below:

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of January 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Data analyst

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $93,000 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 21 percent [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

As a data analyst, you’re responsible for not only 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.

2. Data analytics consultant

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $120,000 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 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.

3. Data architect 

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $177,000 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 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.

What is a certified data professional?

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.

4. Chief data officer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $311,000 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 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.

5. Statistician

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $109,000 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 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 master’s degree, while others may hire those with only a bachelor’s degree, depending on the position. You need strong analytical and communication skills to succeed as a statistician.

6. Director of operations

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $156,000 [11]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [8]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

As a director of operations, you ensure that a business runs smoothly and efficiently. You manage a team of individuals and collaborate with others to meet your organization’s long- and short-term goals. You use data and strong analytical skills to create new, innovative strategies that will lead your team and company to financial and operational success.

To become a director of operations, you typically need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, as well as an in-depth understanding of data analysis. You may choose to further your education by obtaining a master’s degree, which some larger businesses will prefer. Completing relevant professional certifications may help you stand out to potential employers in addition to your educational background.

7. Data scientist

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $154,000 [12]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 34 percent [13]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Data scientists collect and analyze data to create machine learning programs and algorithms and then present their research to colleagues and stakeholders. As a data scientist, you often use the data you collect to solve problems, identify problems, and suggest changes that could save money.

To become a data scientist, you need a background in a related field, such as mathematics, data analytics, or computer science. Depending on your employer, you may need either a bachelor’s or master’s degree to qualify for a position. The industry you work in may determine additional requirements for any given role, such as years of experience or certifications.

Read more: Data Science Jobs: Resources and Career Guide

How to become a certified data professional

To become a certified data professional, some certifications require you to study data analytics in an educational setting by pursuing either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Additionally, it would be best if you considered pursuing well-respected data analytics certifications that can help you boost your resume and stand out to future employers.

What are the best certifications for data analysts?

Certifications differ from Professional Certificates, though both expand your knowledge of a subject and allow you to gain more experience and credibility in the field you choose to study. Certifications typically require more time to complete, as well as a final exam to put what you’ve learned to the test. You may pursue a Professional Certificate if you want to build skills and continue learning a specific subject or field of study. Essentially, a Professional Certificate is about learning something new, while earning a certification is about proving to potential employers and your industry that you have the necessary knowledge.

Top data certifications and Professional Certificates for an aspiring certified data professional include:

  • Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP): The global data management community offers this certification, which contains four different levels: CDMP Associate, CDMP Practitioner, CDMP Master, and CDMP Fellow. Each level requires more experience and prerequisites to qualify and can enhance your knowledge of data management, ethics, and business intelligence.

  • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): The CAP certification focuses on the seven domains of analytics, giving you advanced knowledge in multiple areas of analytics to ensure career success. Prerequisites for the CAP certification include varying levels of education and work experience. For example, if you have a master’s degree, only two years of experience are necessary. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need four years of work experience to qualify.

  • IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate: This data analyst credential from IBM explores applying data analysis to everyday problems and expands your knowledge of programming and various programs used for data analysis. With this credential, you can qualify for entry-level roles in data analytics.

  • SAS Certified Data Scientist: The SAS Academy for Data Science offers a certification program that expands your programming, machine learning, and data analytics knowledge. To qualify for this certification, you must have programming experience and know at least one programming language, preferably SAS.

Discover resources for your career as a certified data management professional 

Explore our Career Resource Hub to evaluate your skills and plan your career. Then, consider your options in data analytics by checking out these resources: 

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses. 

Article sources

1. 

Glassdoor. “Salary: Data Analyst in United States, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.htm.” Accessed January 25, 2026.

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