Have you ever wondered how major companies make accurate decisions amidst the chaos of information? How does an e-commerce platform know the best day to launch a promotion? Or how a supermarket chain predicts the ideal stock before holidays?
The answer lies in data. But data alone says nothing. It must be organized, analyzed, and transformed into insights. That’s where one of the most valuable professionals of the digital age comes in: the Data Analyst.
In a world where everything is recorded — clicks, purchases, likes, locations, preferences — the professional who knows how to extract meaning from this ocean of information becomes essential for any organization.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a Data Analyst does and why they’re so important
- How much this professional earns in Brazil and abroad
- The most in-demand technical and behavioral skills
- How to start in the field, even with no experience
- Trends and opportunities for data professionals in 2025 and beyond
1. Why Data Is the New Oil (and Those Who Refine It Are Worth Gold)
In the digital world, data is generated constantly: a card purchase, a website visit, an Instagram like, a form submission. According to IDC, by 2025, the world will have generated over 180 zettabytes of data — more than any human could read in a lifetime.
But this data, if not interpreted, is just noise. The Data Analyst is the one who finds patterns, anomalies, and opportunities. They turn numbers into decisions.
Why do companies invest in data professionals?
- To predict customer behavior and improve offers
- To optimize operations, reducing costs based on performance
- To monitor metrics and KPIs in real time
- To test and validate marketing, sales, and product strategies
- To make decisions based on evidence, not assumptions
Major companies like Nubank, iFood, Magazine Luiza, Globo, Amazon, and Spotify already have consolidated data teams — but demand is growing across businesses of all sizes.
2. What Does a Data Analyst Do?
A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, processing, interpreting, and presenting data clearly to help solve real business problems. They act as the bridge between technical information and decision-making.
Main activities:
- Collect data from various sources (databases, spreadsheets, APIs, internal systems)
- Clean and organize data (remove duplicates, treat missing values)
- Analyze data using statistics, math, and business knowledge
- Create reports, dashboards, and visualizations for easy understanding
- Present results to areas like marketing, sales, logistics, product, and finance
Analogy: A Data Analyst is like a digital detective — investigating hidden clues in large volumes of data and offering insights for smarter decisions.
3. How Much Does a Data Analyst Earn in 2025?
This career offers a great balance between salary, stability, and growth. Professionals who master analytical tools and statistical fundamentals are highly valued.
| Level | Salary Range (monthly) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | R$ 4,000 – R$ 6,500 | Basic analysis, works with guidance |
| Mid-Level | R$ 7,000 – R$ 10,000 | More autonomy, strategic reporting |
| Senior | R$ 11,000 – R$ 17,000 | Leads projects and predictive analysis |
| International Remote | US$ 2,500 – US$ 6,000 | Requires English and experience in BI/cloud |
Tip: Mastering Power BI, Python, and SQL can double your market value in under a year.
4. Essential Tools and Skills You Need to Master
Hard Skills:
- Advanced Excel: foundation of many reports
- SQL: extracting and manipulating data from databases
- Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio: for visualizations and dashboards
- Python: with Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib for analysis
- Basic Statistics: mean, median, standard deviation, regression
- Google Analytics, CRM, ERP: depending on industry
Soft Skills:
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Clear communication, especially with non-technical teams
- Critical thinking and metrics focus
- Curiosity and continuous learning
- Organization and attention to detail
5. How to Start a Career in Data Analysis
You don’t need to be a math genius or hold a specific degree. Dedication and practice are key.
Step-by-step:
Learn the fundamentals
- Databases, statistics, and BI
- Take courses on DIO, Alura, DataCamp, Coursera, YouTube
Master SQL and Excel
- Write queries using public datasets
- Practice filters, joins, subqueries
Learn Power BI or Tableau
- Build dashboards with charts, KPIs, segmentations
- Use sample data from Google Trends, IBGE, Kaggle
Start with Python
- Import, clean, and visualize data using Pandas and Matplotlib
- Simulate e-commerce, marketing, or logistics analyses
Build your portfolio
- Analyze sales, marketing campaigns, or user behavior
- Publish on GitHub and present on LinkedIn
Apply for junior or internship roles
- Search for terms like “BI”, “data analyst”, “analista de dados”
- Show practical applications in your projects
6. Career Trends for Data Analysts in the Coming Years
- Predictive analytics and machine learning: opens doors for modeling the future
- Big Data and Cloud integration: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud are differentiators
- DataOps and automation: less time cleaning data, more time generating value
- Data storytelling: communicate insights using narratives and visuals
- Data in non-technical fields: HR, healthcare, marketing, and education now rely on data-driven decisions
Conclusion
If data is the future, the Data Analyst is the one building it — with intelligence, logic, and strategic vision. They turn numbers into decisions, trends into opportunities, and reports into real results.
June is the perfect month to plant the seeds of a solid, valued career full of possibilities. Whether as a springboard into Data Science or a rewarding career on its own, data analysis can transform your future — and that of the companies around you.
🎯 Practical Challenge:
Choose a public dataset (IBGE, e-commerce, etc.) and create a Power BI dashboard with at least 3 actionable insights. Publish it on GitHub and share it on LinkedIn. Your future starts with this step.
