In today’s economy, it is simply not enough to collect data from all available sources. Rather, it’s about gaining useful insights from large amounts of data that counts. That is why big data is so hyped in the 21st century. Hence, there is huge demand for big data professionals from global corporations. Companies are looking for experts to manage data collection and software developers to create systems to analyze data. Therefore, we looked through all major job boards and curated 5 of the best big data jobs in 2020.
It’s no secret that big data developers and Big Data analysts are in high demand across various industries. These specialists are not only in demand from within the IT industry. Moreover, a career in big data offers major opportunities even for an entry-level executive. These are some of the most highly-paid jobs of the 21st century!
Before we delve into the best big data jobs of 2020, let’s see why big data experts are so in-demand.
Why Should You Join The Big Data Industry?
Our knowledge-based economy is hungry for data. Chances are, even your local grocery store is tapping on big data algorithms to analyze consumer data and gain insights.
Your future self-driving car wouldn’t be possible without all its sensors. These sensors are equipped with algorithms that collect and process data in real-time. The car then connects to big data databases to make decisions on the road. Hence, big data applications are everywhere and the salaries of big data professionals will increase together with demand.
Like it or not, big data is already a crucial element of businesses today. It is said that for businesses to thrive globally, they’ll need to successfully adopt big data systems. This is to cope with a worldwide consumer base. This is when organisations have big data job positions to fill. And we’ll observe global demand for big data specialists.
Top 5 Big Data Jobs In 2020
We have compared dozens of big data jobs and curated 5 of the best positions for you. Here are the 5 best big data jobs in 2020.
1. Big Data Analyst
Data analysts are arguably the most in-demand as these specialists are needed across all industries. A Big Data Analyst is responsible for gathering and analyzing various data streams.
The median annual salary of a Big Data Analyst is about $60,000. You need to be skilled in programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SharePoint and SQL databases.
If you develop an excellent knowledge of database software like MySQL and Oracle, you can take the next step and develop as a Database Manager. A Database Manager takes home an annual salary of about $73,500 on average.
2. Data Security Engineer
Data Security Engineers oversee the entire IT security infrastructure of organizations that rely heavily on data. You need to be adept at setting up and running security software such as firewalls for this position. Of course, the job usually requires more than that.
Candidates should also be well-versed in different programming languages and required to have advanced knowledge of different operating systems.
The median salary for a Data Security Engineer is about $102,000 a year.
3. Big Data Engineer
Big Data engineers create and improve algorithms to collect and analyze data, improve data accessibility and design tools for end-users to have access to readable and actionable data sets.
Besides having a degree in computer science, engineering or another related field, be prepared to show certifications for programming languages like Java, Python, Kafka, Hive and Storm. You have to be familiar with Linux-based systems and SQL database design if you want to get $106,000 a year as a Big Data Engineer.
4. Big Data Scientist
The job of a data scientist is to collect and analyze complex data. The difference between an analyst and scientist is that a data scientist is also expected to create different models of data for the purpose of taking strategic management decisions.
A data scientist should ideally hold a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. in computer science. This professional must also have good knowledge of data processing methods like clustering, regression analysis, decision trees, and support vector machines.
The median annual salary for a Big Data Scientist is $108,000.
5. Big Data Architect
Most Big Data architects hold a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and have advanced knowledge in programming languages such as SQL and XML.
A data architect is the mastermind behind data architecture strategies that result in the creation of relational databases used to manage the entire enterprise data model. This is not a C-level position but it earns you an average of $113,000 a year, which makes it one of the best-paid jobs within the Big Data sector.
Final Thoughts On Big Data Jobs
There are plenty of career growth opportunities within the Big Data industry. Starting as a Big Data developer, you can progress to other positions such as Big Data Architect or Big Data scientist at a later stage.
Most importantly, big data jobs also come with lucrative salaries. You can expect an entry-level executive to take home at least $60,000 per year.
