A data modeler is a specialized analyst who takes large amounts of data and tries to pull usable information from it. The data modeler then uses the information to come up with data reports for clients and businesses that can be used to make business decisions. These reports detail findings and provide analysis that can be used to take actions based on the micro and macro trends the data modeler found (Payscale.com).
Sponsored School(s)
Data modelers usually review statistics taken from measurable consumer or marketplace actions. The data may already exist, but more often, the company uses data modelers to create computer systems or applications that pull data in real-time. This data usually is more current and useful. Data modelers usually need to be proficient at computer programming to create these systems from scratch or adapt current data-culling software to the specific needs of the organization.
Typical tasks of data modelers are:
- Extract, evaluate, and aggregate data from several databases to come up with predictive or relational data models.
- Perform gap analysis and offer ways to improve the quality of the data.
- Evaluate and document data quality and data clean up efforts.
- Create and maintain data models
- Establish standards for data modeling and design standards, best practices, and related development methodologies.
- Make recommendations to management regarding proper data usage and standardization.
Data Modeler Salary Outlook
Students who desire a career as data modelers need to have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, statistics, or a related field. It is important to understand your salary outlook before getting your degree. We have compiled detailed salary information below for data modelers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
BLS reports the median annual wage for the related field of computer systems analyst was $88,700 as of May 2018, with a range between $54,200 and $142,000. The top industries for salary in this profession were: (BLS.gov)
- Computer systems design and related services: $91,500
- Management of companies and enterprises: $91,200
- Information: $90,700
- Finance and insurance: $90,700
- Government: $80,300
BLS also reports the median salary for database administrators in May 2018 was $90,700 with a range between $50,300 and $138,000. (BLS.gov). Top industry wages in this field were:
- Insurance carriers: $96,400
- Computer system design: $95,900
- Data processing, hosting, and related services: $95,500
- Management of companies and enterprises: $94,900
- Educational services: $74,00
Payscale.com
Payscale.com reports the average data modeler salary is $81,500 with a range between $59,000 and $121,000. Popular skills for data modelers and corresponding salaries are: (Payscale.com)
- Data modeling: $83,500
- SQL: $83,300
- Statistical analysis: $76,200
- Data analysis: $83,100
- R: $77,300
Pay for data modelers varies based on years of work experience:
- Less than one year of work experience: $68,900
- One to four years of work experience: $75,800
- Five to nine years of work experience: $88,300
- 10 to 19 years of work experience: $104,500
- More than 20 years of work experience: $116,700
Salaries for data modelers also can vary by city:
- Houston: +28%
- San Francisco: +23%
- New York City: +14%
- Washington DC: +25
- Philadelphia: -2%
- Atlanta: -5%
- Detroit: -6%
For the related occupation of database manager, the average salary is $59,400 with a range between $40,000 and $126,000. (Payscale.com).
Database managers will earn a higher salary as their job experience increases:
- Zero to one year of experience: $43,700
- One to four years of experience: $51,300
- Five to nine years of experience: $56,500
- 10-19 years of experience: $68,600
- 20 years of more of experience: $101,300
Indeed.com
Indeed.com reports the average salary for data modelers is $87,500 with a range between $73,000 and $121,000. (Indeed.com).
Ziprecruiter.com
Ziprecruiter.com reports the average salary for data modelers is $115,000 with a range between $54,500 and $164,500. Most in the field earn a salary between $96,000 and $133,500. (Ziprecruiter.com)
Zippia.com
Zippia.com reports the average data modeler salary is $99,000 with the highest paying city being San Francisco. The highest paying state is Hawaii, and the average level of experience for that wage is only 2.4 years. (Zippia.com)
Data Modeler Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide job outlook data for data modelers, but the related profession of computer systems analyst will experience a job growth rate of9% by 2028, faster than average when compared to other occupations. (BLS.gov).
Companies across the country are boosting their reliance on data and IT systems, so these data and computer systems analysts will be hired to design and install new computer systems to handle large quantities. Smaller companies with less robust IT requirements may find it more cost-effective to work with cloud services providers, or with industries that work with IT service providers for these employees. This type of contracting should lead to significant job growth in data processing, hosting and related services.
Average Data Modeler Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York - Data Modeler | $61.76 | $128,462 |
| Massachusetts - Data Modeler | $61.32 | $127,538 |
| New Hampshire - Data Modeler | $59.83 | $124,443 |
| Maryland - Data Modeler | $56.91 | $118,375 |
| Hawaii - Data Modeler | $56.64 | $117,817 |
| Connecticut - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,476 |
| Alaska - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| Montana - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| North Dakota - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| Wyoming - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| Nevada - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| Idaho - Data Modeler | $56.48 | $117,469 |
| Vermont - Data Modeler | $56.33 | $117,157 |
| Nebraska - Data Modeler | $56.22 | $116,929 |
| Washington - Data Modeler | $56.18 | $116,860 |
| Rhode Island - Data Modeler | $55.60 | $115,655 |
| California - Data Modeler | $55.57 | $115,589 |
| Virginia - Data Modeler | $55.30 | $115,017 |
| Arizona - Data Modeler | $54.71 | $113,788 |
| New Jersey - Data Modeler | $54.35 | $113,058 |
| Colorado - Data Modeler | $53.64 | $111,568 |
| West Virginia - Data Modeler | $53.61 | $111,503 |
| Minnesota - Data Modeler | $53.40 | $111,069 |
| Pennsylvania - Data Modeler | $53.39 | $111,061 |
| South Dakota - Data Modeler | $53.38 | $111,020 |
| South Carolina - Data Modeler | $53.30 | $110,857 |
| Tennessee - Data Modeler | $53.09 | $110,426 |
| Delaware - Data Modeler | $53.07 | $110,376 |
| Oregon - Data Modeler | $53.02 | $110,272 |
| Utah - Data Modeler | $52.64 | $109,500 |
| Ohio - Data Modeler | $52.54 | $109,288 |
| Kentucky - Data Modeler | $52.48 | $109,165 |
| Indiana - Data Modeler | $52.18 | $108,542 |
| Oklahoma - Data Modeler | $52.06 | $108,275 |
| Louisiana - Data Modeler | $51.90 | $107,960 |
| Wisconsin - Data Modeler | $51.81 | $107,773 |
| Kansas - Data Modeler | $51.65 | $107,439 |
| Maine - Data Modeler | $51.60 | $107,336 |
| Iowa - Data Modeler | $51.49 | $107,092 |
| Texas - Data Modeler | $50.62 | $105,300 |
| Georgia - Data Modeler | $50.44 | $104,923 |
| Arkansas - Data Modeler | $50.25 | $104,527 |
| New Mexico - Data Modeler | $49.97 | $103,934 |
| Alabama - Data Modeler | $49.60 | $103,161 |
| Michigan - Data Modeler | $49.54 | $103,046 |
| Illinois - Data Modeler | $49.39 | $102,722 |
| Mississippi - Data Modeler | $48.83 | $101,562 |
| Missouri - Data Modeler | $48.33 | $100,529 |
| Florida - Data Modeler | $47.61 | $99,021 |
| North Carolina - Data Modeler | $43.30 | $90,056 |
Source: Ziprecruiter.com, January 2020.
Summary
The field of data modeling is growing quickly as more companies want to make actionable business decisions with the large amounts of data they have in their computer systems. With a degree in analytics, statistics, or computer science, you should have a good base for data modeling jobs.
However, some experts note that the skills needed for data modeling differ from programming and systems administration. Programmers and administrators need to have some expertise on the technical side, data modelers need to have more skills in the logic of data. Skills required for good data modeling are:
- Conceptual design
- Abstract thinking
- User communication
- Internal communication
Based on the above requirements, a professional who does not have extensive software and system knowledge can still be a data modeler if they can think conceptually and abstractly. If that is the case, you can earn salaries in the $80,000 to $100,000 range and possibly more. (Simplilearn.com)