Data analyst-statistician

Data analyst-statisticians collect numbers and statistics to identify trends, create models and present results.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Depending on the industry or sector, you might:

  • help to design scientific research studies
  • use statistical software to analyse risk, for example in insurance
  • look for trends and patterns to help organisations and government make policy decisions
  • investigate market research into consumer habits and feedback
  • analyse results from clinical trials
  • create models to predict demand for services or goods
  • check quality control standards in areas like drug and food testing

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

You can use your skills to work in a lot of different areas, for example healthcare, finance, environment, sports and e-commerce.

With experience, you could:

  • become a manager
  • move into teaching and academic research
  • work as a freelance consultant
  • become a data scientist to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve businesses

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work on your own
  • concentration skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Data analyst-statisticians use mathematics every day – from calculating averages and probabilities to building complex statistical models that predict trends. Algebra, probability, and statistical methods are the core tools they rely on to make sense of large datasets.
  • Computer Science - Data analyst-statisticians use programming languages like Python, R, and SQL to process and analyse large datasets. They write scripts to automate data cleaning, build algorithms for statistical modelling, and develop tools to visualise their results.
  • Economics - Data analyst-statisticians often work in finance, government, and business, analysing economic data to inform policy and strategy. Understanding concepts like supply and demand, market behaviour, and economic indicators helps them interpret the trends they find in the data.

Also relevant

  • Business - Data analyst-statisticians frequently work with organisations to investigate market research, consumer habits, and demand forecasting. Understanding how businesses operate helps them ask the right questions and present findings in ways that support real decision-making.
  • Biology - Data analyst-statisticians who work in healthcare or pharmaceuticals analyse results from clinical trials and help design scientific research studies. Understanding biological concepts helps them interpret medical data and ensure quality control in areas like drug testing.
  • Geography - Data analyst-statisticians working in environmental or government roles often analyse spatial data, population trends, and regional patterns. Geography teaches skills in data collection, fieldwork analysis, and interpreting maps and datasets – all directly useful in this career.
  • Psychology - Data analyst-statisticians who work in market research or social policy need to understand human behaviour and how to design studies that produce reliable results. Psychology involves learning statistical methods for analysing survey data and experimental results.
  • English Language - Data analyst-statisticians need to communicate complex findings clearly to people who aren't experts in statistics. Writing reports, presenting results to stakeholders, and explaining what the numbers actually mean are all regular parts of the job.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate degree in:

  • statistics
  • mathematics
  • economics
  • operational research
  • psychology

You may be able to apply for jobs if you have a degree in a subject that included statistics as part of your course, for example social science or geography.

Courses that give you the chance to spend a year in industry or get work experience through placements, internships or real business projects may give you an advantage when you are looking for graduate jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

You may be able to start by doing a T level in Digital Business Services. This could give you some of the skills you need to apply for a trainee position with a company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

You could start in a junior data analysis role through a data technician advanced apprenticeship.

You could go on to complete a data analysis higher apprenticeship or data scientist degree apprenticeship.

If you want to work in health data analysis you could do a medical statistician degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

You can develop your professional skills and gain real work experience by helping community organisations and charities. For example, with the Royal Statistical Society.

You can apply to join the Government Statistical Service (GSS) as a trainee through the Civil Service Fast Stream programme. You'll need a good degree or postgraduate qualification.

The GSS also directly recruits graduates and people with relevant experience into positions like statistical officer.

Further information

You can find out more on careers in statistics from the Royal Statistical Society.

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