6 Entry-Level Analyst Jobs: Salaries and Skills to Get Hired

Key takeaways

Analytics is essential to the success and efficiency of modern businesses. Explore key information about entry-level positions in this field:

• Operations research analysts and information security analysts have projected growth rates between 21 and 29 percent over the next decade [1, 2].

• As an analyst, you may work in industries such as marketing, data science, and business, depending on your interests.

• You can prepare for an entry-level analyst job by completing your education, networking, applying for internships, and gaining experience from other roles.

Explore six entry-level analyst jobs you can pursue, along with the skills, education, and experience you'll need to land them. Afterward, if you want to start building foundational entry-level analyst skills yourself, consider enrolling in the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate. In as little as six months, you’ll have the opportunity to gain an immersive understanding of the practices and processes used by a junior or associate data analyst in their day-to-day job. Upon completion, add this career credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What are entry-level analyst jobs?

An analyst is responsible for researching and evaluating information. They glean valuable insights from data and possess skills in data collection and management, business intelligence (BI), communication, and data visualization. Analysts work to identify methods to improve processes related to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. They often collaborate with different departments to present their data and solutions in a way that is easy to understand through reports, presentations, and visualizations.

As an entry-level analyst, you'll support more senior-level analysts to improve your organization's efficiency and decision-making. The projects within this role typically entail researching, analyzing data, presenting findings, and implementing strategies for improved company performance. Tasks involved with this process can include:

• Communicating across departments to gather data on business functions

• Organizing and analyzing collected data from various data sources

• Generating proposals and plans for changes to operations

• Presenting proposals to various levels of management

• Producing reports from the data obtained

• Assisting business managers with enacting changes

• Assessing the effectiveness of the implemented plan

Job outlook for analysts

The job outlook for analyst positions, such as computer systems and financial analysts, is projected to grow faster than the national average from 2024 to 2034 [3, 4]. Certain specialties, like operations research and information security analysts, have strong projected growth rates between 21 and 29 percent [1, 2].

6 entry-level analyst jobs

As an entry-level analyst, there are a wide range of industries and organizations where you can find employment. Below, you'll find six different entry-level analyst roles, along with their pay and required skills, that you might consider pursuing.

*Note: Salary information was sourced from Glassdoor in October 2025 and represents the median total salary in the US. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Entry-level marketing analyst

Median salary: $81,000 [5]

Entry-level marketing analyst positions require skills in data analysis, web analytics, and marketing platforms. As a support member of a digital marketing team, a junior analyst is responsible for gathering data connected to market conditions, designing strategic marketing plans, and implementing digital and email marketing campaigns.

A background in marketing, communication, business, or data analytics is recommended. Analysts should have strong research skills and experience with Excel, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and Google Analytics.

2. Entry-level cybersecurity analyst

Median salary: $141,000 [6]

This role requires advanced technical and cloud-network abilities. A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for monitoring and analyzing network traffic and security. A successful analyst will write threat and incident reports, create security strategies, and identify security gaps within a system. As a team's junior member, you'll work under the supervision of a senior analyst until you've established significant skills and experience.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information systems, or related fields is required.

3. Entry-level data analyst

Median salary: $81,000 [7]

The principal task of a data analyst is to collect, analyze, and organize data into reports and visualizations for relevant stakeholders. Entry-level data analyst jobs require cross-functional collaboration with senior-level analysts and sharing the data with other business teams. A bachelor’s degree in an analytical field such as mathematics, statistics, finance, computer science, or engineering is preferred for this role.

4. Entry-level research analyst

Median salary: $94,000 [8]

An entry-level research analyst focuses on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of investment markets and strategies. Analysts must effectively communicate their findings to a broader team of investors, financial officers, and business leaders. An excellent academic record and knowledge of finance are highly recommended.

5. Entry-level customer support analyst

Median salary: $72,000 [9]

A customer support analyst is skilled in data management, research, scalable processes, and client and product advocacy. This role focuses on customer experience, company profit margins, and sales. As a customer support analyst, you'll need strong technical skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, statistics software training, and customer service experience.

6. Entry-level business analyst

Median salary: $90,000 [10]

A business analyst identifies business areas that need improvement. They work closely with other departments throughout the business to increase efficiency, strengthen business processes, and implement changes. An entry-level business analyst might be responsible for more technical aspects, like using SQL and Excel to analyze large data sets and create financial models.

How to get an entry-level analyst job

To become an analyst, you'll need a combination of education, experience, and technical skills. Many companies list a bachelor’s degree as a requirement, listing finance, business, and accounting as the preferred fields of study. Some employers may accept candidates with equivalent work experience, skills, and certifications. However, these majors can provide a solid foundation for the types of assignments you will work on as an analyst.

Earning a relevant certificate and completing an internship can also provide helpful experience toward your career path. Internships and certificate programs offer professional exposure to the tasks and duties of an analyst and allow you to develop skills in a business setting.

Expanding your proficiency with technology is advisable if you're considering a career as an analyst. Typically, analysts must continually update their knowledge and skills of technical programs and software to obtain, organize, analyze, and present data.

1. Gain hands-on experience.

If you're already in the workforce and interested in gaining experience as an analyst, you can find opportunities within your company to volunteer for projects that will provide relevant analytical training. These projects can give you exposure to the role, make you a more significant asset to your company, and add a favorable component to your consideration as a candidate when a position opens up within the organization.

As you gain experience, keep a portfolio of the work you create to boost your strength as an applicant when applying for a position. Proof of the work you're capable of doing can give a prospective employer additional confidence that you are the right candidate for the job.

If you don't yet have anything to add to your portfolio, consider getting started with an online Guided Project. The list below contains a couple of relevant options that you can complete in hours:

• Scrape and Analyze Data Analyst Job Requirements with Python. This intermediate-level project guides you through helping a recruitment agency improve its job-sourcing process. By the end, you'll be able to write a Python script to extract and store data from websites.

• Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel. This intermediate-level project guides you through account setup, document upload, and the use of data analysis functions in Excel to sort and filter data. It can be completed in just two hours.

2. Study for a degree.

A key to landing an entry-level job as an analyst is having the right combination of education and skills to perform the job. Business, accounting, marketing, and finance degrees provide frameworks in relevant fields and are often listed as the preferred degrees for analytical job postings. You can add skills in computer programming to your resume to help you become a versatile candidate with the aptitude to excel at your position.

3. Obtain certifications or certificates.

Additional technical skills certifications can significantly enhance your likelihood of obtaining a job in analytics. Many companies require candidates with specific technical proficiencies, such as SQL, Python, and MS products, which can be validated by obtaining either a certificate or certification.

Interested in building job-specific skills? Consider enrolling in the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate on Coursera, which offers training in Microsoft Excel, Python Programming, SQL, and DataViz. Plus, upon completion, you'll gain a certificate to show to potential employers.

4. Build your network.

Networking is one of the best ways to land a job in your dream career successfully. Connections made through people you already know, college mentors, classmates, or coworkers during internships can be valuable in getting your resume in front of the right people. Online communities can also be a great place to start.

Read more: 9 Networking Tips to Expand and Strengthen Your Network

5. Consider an internship.

An internship is a great way to gain work experience in an analyst role before starting your career in the field. Many companies offer internships for college students during the school year and summer that provide valuable real-life work experience. This exposure to the job can equip you with additional information to help you determine what career path you would enjoy most as an analyst.

Get free resources for your career as an analyst

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter to network with other professionals and gain career insights and tips. Then, explore free, digital resources designed to guide your career growth:

• Watch on YouTube: Data Analyst vs. Business Analyst: Which Career Path Is Right for You?

• Explore career paths: Career Paths in Data Analysis: Decision Tree

• Enhance your knowledge: SQL Basics Cheat Sheet

With Coursera Plus, you can learn and earn credentials at your own pace from over 350 leading companies and universities. With a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 programs—just check the course page to confirm your selection is included.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial