Collecting and analyzing data has become common in just about every Los Angeles industry, so by learning data analytics, you can gain a lot of job options. Businesses use data to improve the way they operate and to make better decisions about the future. In a recent Forbes article titled “Being Data-Driven Is Likely Your Best Bet,” the author explains, “The push for incorporating data and analytics into business is widespread, and empirical evidence confirms it's not just hype. Data-driven companies are 23 times more likely to top their competitors in customer acquisition, about 19 times more likely to stay profitable and nearly seven times more likely to retain customers.” She adds, “The advantages of being data-driven are internal as well. Leaders can make informed decisions while having the flexibility and responsiveness to course-correct quickly.” A job search in the Los Angeles area reveals hundreds of job openings in this field.
Data science skills can also open you up to lots of freelance opportunities. Freelancing is attractive to many people because it offers so much flexibility in where and when you work and the type of projects you work on. Los Angeles has one of the largest freelancer populations in the country. According to the popular freelance work site Upwork, data analytics is the number one most in-demand work skill for its website for 2024. In a December 16, 2024, NBC4 Los Angeles article by Morgan Smith, Lisa Gevelber, who is a vice president at Google, talks about data analytics jobs. She says that there are hundreds of thousands of unfilled data analytics jobs in the United States. These include many freelance opportunities. “It doesn’t matter what part of the world you live in or what industry you’d like to work in,” she says, "The demand for people who understand data and who can make sense of it and use it to guide important business decisions is huge. Everybody needs data analysts."
Most data analytics jobs in Los Angeles pay well, and strong future job growth is projected in this field. Data Scientist ranks at number four on the BLS list of Fastest Growing Occupations and has a median pay of about $130,000 in Los Angeles. Between 2023 and 2033, BLS predicts that data science jobs will grow by an astounding 36%. (The average U.S. job growth rate is just 4%.) The agency predicts more than 20,000 job openings each year over the next ten years. It explains that job growth is being driven by the growth of data, stating, “The volume of data available and the potential uses for that data will increase over the projections decade. As a result, organizations will likely need more data scientists to mine and analyze the large amounts of information and data collected. Data scientists’ analysis will help organizations to make informed decisions and improve their business processes, to design and develop new products, and to better market their products.” Los Angeles employs more than 10,000 people in data science, according to BLS, making it the second largest employer in the country for metropolitan areas.
What Los Angeles industries are hiring data analytics experts?
While some cities have an economy dominated by a few key industries, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation maintains that in Los Angeles, there are more than a dozen strong industries. On the “Industry Cluster Development” page of its website, it says, “There are more electric vehicles and more gaming businesses clustered in Los Angeles County than any other location. There are innovative Biotech, Space, and Ocean robotics start-ups with supporting venture capital and market partners. And there are large, mature industries including Aerospace, Trade, and Entertainment & Digital Media which sets Los Angeles apart as the creative content capital of the world.” This means a lot of different data analytics-related employment options.
- Healthcare: In recent years, the healthcare industry has started to increase its focus on using the vast amount of data that it already collects in order to improve patient care. Data analysis helps researchers find patterns, make predictions, and uncover other insights, all of which can improve treatment. One example is SAS, analytics software that is used by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The SAS website explains that data analytics has been instrumental in improving decision-making and patient care in Los Angeles. For instance, an article titled “Analytics Helps Major Public Health System Run Efficient Programs and Improve Patient Care” talks about COVID-19, stating, “At the beginning of the pandemic, clinicians desperately sought information on how to best treat patients against the novel virus. Likewise, lawmakers, researchers and administrators were thirsty for insight, so they could do things like predict surges and make smart health policies. The department quickly spun up a COVID-19 dashboard. . . . Today, that dashboard is widely used by the Los Angeles County DHS clinicians and C-suite executives at DHS hospitals. By seeing metrics such as admission counts, patient discharge status, ER visits, and lab test results, hospital staff can make more informed decisions.”
- Aerospace: The aerospace industry is using data analytics to improve safety, increase efficiency, and help it innovate. According to the recent Los Angeles County Regional Report posted on the Labor & Workforce Development Agency website, “Los Angeles County remains a key player in aerospace engineering and manufacturing, with employment in this sector being significant due to the presence of large defense contractors and a network of suppliers.” Top Los Angeles aerospace companies include Anduril, Boeing, The Aerospace Corporation, SpaceX, and Northrop Grumman, according to Built In Los Angeles.
- Marketing: Understanding the needs of customers is a key part of marketing, and data analytics provides a very effective way to do that since it allows marketers to easily analyze large data sets. In addition, data analytics lets marketers get a detailed understanding of the effectiveness of their campaigns. According to the Regional Report, the marketing industry in Los Angeles supports more than 86,000 jobs,
- Retail: Los Angeles is home to millions of people and sees millions more visits every year. Its massive retail sector uses data analytics to streamline business operations, for instance, managing supply and demand and setting pricing. Data also helps retailers better understand customers and offer them a more personalized shopping experience. Many experts argue that data analytics in retail has become a necessity for any modern company.
- Technology: Data can help technology companies get a better understanding of how their products are being used and how to improve them. Los Angeles is a tech hub with hundreds of tech companies, including many startups. According to CompTIA’s “State of the Tech Workforce 2024” report, Los Angeles tech jobs pay an average of 129% more than the national average tech salary.
Will I need to learn to code to work in data analytics?
Data analytics skills are used in many different industries and for many different types of jobs. This means that you can probably find data analytics roles that don’t require coding. Additionally, there are an increasing number of powerful data analytics tools, such as Power BI and Tableau, that let you analyze data without coding. However, while it is possible to skip the coding part of this discipline, coding languages are a fundamental tool for manipulating and analyzing data, and most experts argue that if you want to work in this field, you should learn how to code. Python, R, and SQL are three fundamental coding languages used for data analysis. By learning languages like these, you’ll have a much better understanding of the data analysis process, and you’ll be better prepared to solve complex data problems. In addition, if you want to advance in the field of data analytics–for instance, if you want to become a Data Scientist–you’ll probably find that you need to learn coding since it is generally required for higher-level jobs. Overall, coding is likely to be a good investment for anyone who plans to work in data analytics.
Is it hard to learn data analytics?
Most people say that this field is relatively challenging; however, a lot depends on your educational background. While Los Angeles offers many data analytics classes designed for beginners, you’ll find learning easier if you already have basic math skills (statistical analysis in particular) and some coding knowledge (Python, SQL, and R are common in data analytics). In addition, while many people focus on the technical skills that they’ll need to work in this field, it's important not to overlook communication skills. As a data analytics professional, you’ll need to be able to communicate your insights to other people. This means that you’re likely to struggle if you don’t have strong communication skills, including both verbal and written skills.
Finally, regardless of your existing skill level, you’ll need to spend a lot of time practicing your data analytics skills. Practice is one of the best ways to gain confidence and understand how to apply your skills to real projects. It forces you to adapt your knowledge to a variety of situations and reveals any areas of weakness. If all of this seems overwhelming, a formal data analytics class can be an excellent choice because you won’t have to figure everything out yourself.
