Salary survey: despite pandemic, data professionals continue to thrive

Harnham, a global leader in data and analytics recruitment, recently released the company’s ninth edition of its Data & Analytics Salary Guide. The report reveals average salaries, an analysis of the latest hiring, workplace and technological trends, and how the industry can continue to drive progress in the world of data and analytics. The most interesting and notable finding to emerge from this data is that, despite the huge drops in employment and the immense worries around job security in recent months, 81% of respondents say they are as secure or more secure in their role than they were this time a year ago. This suggests businesses are more reliant on data professionals than ever before.

The research is categorized by six areas: data and tech, data science, digital analytics, life science analytics, marketing and insight, and contract/temporary.

Other key findings include:

• Active job market: The data and analytics job market continues to move quickly, with respondents only remaining in their roles for an average of 2.25 years. Additionally, 80% are either actively looking for a new role or open to the right opportunity.
• Gender diversity: The number of female data professionals continues to increase and now makes up 27% of the industry.
• Flexible working: Businesses offering flexible working conditions grew from 64% to 80% even prior to COVID-19, suggesting “the new normal” of remote and flexible working was already a way of life.
• Career priorities: Data professionals have seen a shifting in priorities in the wake of COVID-19. When seeking a new role, respondents prioritize career progression over salary increases, as well as an emphasis on job security and working for a stable and growing business.

The guide includes input from more than 3,000 global professionals, an analysis of the 1,000+ job placements made by Harnham over the last year, and a review of worldwide job views to convey a clear understanding of the market. In the wake of COVID-19, the report includes a special dedicated section on the impact the pandemic has had on the data and analytics space, as the industry has had to adjust to “the new normal.”

“As COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of our daily lives, its effects on the data and analytics industry have been widespread,” says Dave Farmer, founding partner at Harnham. “That being said, however, we have found that professionals in the data and analytics space have adjusted to ‘the new normal’ reasonably well and have become even more vital to businesses looking to streamline existing processes and establish new ones in the wake of the pandemic. This has resulted in increased job security and shifting career priorities that suggest that data professionals will continue to thrive in the coming year.”

To download a copy of the guide, click here.