The data-driven economy continues to expand, with businesses increasingly relying on data professionals to optimize operations and drive strategic decision-making through a wide selection of data jobs. As organizations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver compete for top tech talent, Prosum connects skilled data experts with companies seeking to leverage data analytics, engineering, and management to gain a competitive edge.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth in these various data-related roles. Despite concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing data professionals, AI and machine learning (ML) are instead enhancing their capabilities and improving efficiencies across industries.

In-Demand Data Roles and Their Business Impact

The field of data science offers diverse career paths that cater to various industry needs. According to Oracle Cloud Business Analytics (OCI), “Data analytics is the process of collecting information for the purpose of studying it to generate insights.” Some of the most in-demand data roles include:

1. Data Analyst – Data analysts interpret trends and provide actionable insights. They are essential in industries like finance, healthcare, and marketing, helping organizations make informed decisions.
2. Data Scientist – Combining statistics, programming, and domain expertise, data scientists develop predictive models and extract insights from complex datasets. These professionals are highly sought after in sectors such as healthcare and finance. According to DataCamp, data scientists remain one of the top analytics careers in 2024.
3. Data Engineer – Data engineers design and maintain data ensuring seamless data flow between systems. This position is a challenge is constantly learning new information as technology changes and new systems and techniques are developed. Business Insider highlights the increasing demand for data engineers as companies continue to expand their data infrastructure.

4. Machine Learning Engineer – Specializing in developing AI-driven algorithms, ML engineers apply automation and predictive modeling to fields such as finance, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. According to ResearchGate, ML engineers are instrumental in risk assessment, fraud detection, and investment forecasting in finance, as well as cybersecurity threat detection and response in e-commerce.
5. ERP Data Analyst –These analysts optimize enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, ensuring data-driven efficiencies in operations, finance, and logistics. According to GetGuru, ERP analysts play a critical role in managing and optimizing an organization’s ERP systems, integrating various business processes into a unified platform

Types of Data Driving Business Success

Different types of data play a crucial role in decision-making and strategy development:

• Structured Data – Organized and easily searchable data stored in relational databases and spreadsheets, commonly used for analytics and reporting.
• Unstructured Data – Includes emails, social media posts, images, and videos, requiring advanced AI tools for processing and analysis.
• Big Data – Large-scale datasets from IoT devices, web traffic, and transaction logs, requiring scalable data management solutions. This data is used in data analytics.
• Real-Time Data – Critical for industries such as finance and cybersecurity, where immediate insights drive decision-making.
• Historical Data – Used for trend analysis, forecasting, and business intelligence to refine strategies and optimize machine learning models.

Data professionals take the data and use data analytics software to derive meaning and craft strategies from the date, per OCI. The analytical tools used give the end user the following types of data to use:

Predictive data analytics is defined as identifying trends, correlations, and causation per OCI. This also includes predictive modeling and statistical modeling.

Prescriptive data analytics is artificial intelligence (AI), and big data combine to predict outcomes and to assist in what actions to take.

Diagnostic data analytics is the final data category that OCI describes. This includes cause and effect, data discovery, data mining, and correlations in data.

How Data Jobs Enhance Business Operations

Data professionals play a key role in driving efficiency and innovation across industries. Each industry uses data differently and this will continue to evolve with AI and new technologies. Successive Cloud lists the industries below as some of the top 10 for the use of data analytics.

• Healthcare – Data scientists develop AI-assisted diagnostic tools and predictive analytics for patient care.
• Finance – Data analysts assess investment risks and optimize financial forecasting.
• Manufacturing – Data engineers improve supply chain efficiency and predictive maintenance.
• Retail & E-commerce – Data analysts track consumer behavior and enhance targeted marketing strategies.
• Enterprise Operations – ERP data analysts integrate business data to streamline inventory management, HR planning, and financial reporting.

AI and ML: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Data Professionals

As AI and ML technologies evolve, they are transforming how data professionals work rather than replacing them. These automating technologies help to scrub and validate data, and can identify and correct errors, inconsistencies, and duplicates in large datasets, ensuring higher data quality and reliability.  AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing data experts to focus on complex problem-solving and strategic initiatives. However, human oversight remains essential for AI model training, validation, and ethical decision-making.

The Future of Data Jobs: Strong Growth and Competitive Salaries

The demand for skilled data professionals remains strong, with CNBC reporting salaries exceeding $100,000 for many roles, even without a traditional degree. As businesses increasingly integrate data-driven solutions, opportunities in the field will continue to grow.

The data-driven economy shows no signs of slowing down, and organizations that invest in skilled data professionals will continue to gain a competitive edge. With competitive salaries, strong job growth, and expanding opportunities across sectors, now is the time for businesses to harness the power of data and for professionals to advance their careers in this dynamic field. At Prosum, we are committed to bridging the gap between top tech talent and forward-thinking companies, ensuring success in an increasingly data-centric world. Whether you’re looking to build a high-performing data team or seeking your next career move, Prosum is your trusted partner in navigating the future of data careers.