What is a Data Specialist?

Similar Job Titles:

Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Database Administrator

Data Specialists play a crucial part in managing organizational data ecosystems. From ensuring data accuracy and integrity to facilitating data analysis and insights, your work will empower teams to make data-driven decisions. 

What does a Data Specialist do, typically?

Collects and Integrates Data

Data Specialists collect, integrate, and cleanse data from various sources to ensure a unified and accurate data repository. 

Drive Data Quality Assurance

Data Specialists implement and maintain quality control procedures for all incoming and existing data. They regularly audit data systems for accuracy, completeness, and integrity.

Provides Data Analysis Support

Data Specialists support data analysis by preparing and structuring data sets for easy analysis. They assist in developing custom reports and dashboards as required by users.

A Data Specialist is not:

A Data Architect

Data Architects design the blueprint for managing data across organizations. Unlike Data Specialists, who are more involved in the operational aspects of data management and maintenance, Data Architects work on a strategic level to plan and implement the data infrastructure that supports business needs and data strategy.

A Business Intelligence (BI) Developer

BI Developers design and develop strategies to assist business users in finding the information they need to make decisions. Their focus is more on driving solutions that enable data analysis and reporting, compared to the more generalized data management role of a Data Specialist.

Important Metrics for a Data Specialist

Data Specialists are commonly evaluated based on their efficiency, accuracy, and impact on data management and analysis projects. Simplified, standard metrics cover:

  • Data Accuracy and Quality
  • Efficiency in Data Processing
  • Project Impact
  • Innovation and Impact in Data Management Practices
  • Collaboration and Communication

Data Specialist Salary

US Based, employer-reported data for a Data Specialist:

  • 25th Percentile $45.7K
  • Average $59K
  • 75th Percentile $81.5K

Data Specialist Job Description

Bonus copy for your Data Specialist job description or job ad!

Copy the text below and paste it into your own job description, or, into our FREE downloadable template in the section that looks like this: <INSERT JOB DESCRIPTION COPY FROM BLOG POST HERE>

As a Data Specialist at <Company XXX>, you’ll get to showcase your expertise by managing data lifecycles, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data assets. 

More specifically, you’ll get to:

  • Implement effective data collection, integration, and maintenance procedures across various sources and systems.
  • Conduct regular audits to ensure data integrity and accuracy. 
  • Oversee the operation of databases, ensuring optimal performance, security, and compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Assist in the development of reports and visualizations to communicate insights to stakeholders.
  • Continuously assess and improve data management practices, incorporating new technologies and methodologies to enhance data accessibility and usability.
Free Job Description Template

Hire a Data Specialist

We can help you find a qualified Data Specialist that would fit your specific needs. Send us a few details about your ideal candidate and we'd love to start the search for you!

Start The Conversation

The Celarity Mission

celarity-favicon

Celarity is an award-winning Staffing & Recruiting agency for Marketing, Creative & Digital talent with a mission: Creating happy careers with meaningful connections. For 30 years we have proudly connected 600+ companies with over 5,000 candidates.

youtube-video-thumbnail

Looking to hire a Data Specialist?

Let us know the qualifications and skills and we'll do the rest!