_{I analyzed 101 current Data Analyst & Business Analyst jobs.}

Here are the 5 most in-demand skills for these roles… but more importantly, how to learn them!

TL;DR

If you are reading only one thing today, here is the takeaway.

• To become a Data Analyst in 2025, focus on these 3 technical skills first (and in this order)

  1. SQL

  2. Tableau

  3. Excel

• Wrap this up in strong verbal & written communication skills — because none of the tech skills matter if you can’t explain it!

Before we dive into it, here are the parameters of my data collection process:

• Country: US roles only

• Role titles: Titles that contains “Data Analyst” or “Business Analyst”

• Role types: Full-time, individual contributor (i.e. non-manager)

Side note: I decided to look at both Data Analyst and Business Analyst roles at the same time because these two roles are very similar in job description and requirements.

So, without further ado, here are the top 5 skills required of Data Analysts in 2025… <drumroll please>

#5: Python

Python made the list… but just barely.

It’s a great skill to have as a Data Professional, but for Data Analyst and Business Analyst roles specifically, it’s more of a nice-to-have. Only 24% of listings asked for it.

Personally, I would not prioritize learning Python if I’m aiming for Data Analyst and Business Analyst roles. The other tech skills ranked higher on this list are way more important.

That said, if you do want to learn Python, here’s what I recommend:

• Use DataCamp – I learned Python entirely through their platform and still recommend it today: https://datacamp.pxf.io/XYBVka

• Build projects – Start with guided tutorials on YouTube. Then level up by finding datasets on Kaggle and creating your own projects from scratch.

#4: Excel

“Excel is old-school. It’s no longer useful in 2025.”

Right? Wrong. 45% of Data Analyst & Business Analyst jobs still require Excel. While it is not the most sexy, it’s a foundational skill to have.

When I was a Business Analyst at Amazon, at least 50% of my days were spent in Excel. It’s a versatile tool, that is still highly-adopted in many companies and industries.

How do I learn Excel?
YouTube University is free education. Check out these two YouTube playlists:

• Beginner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwbho0CgEAE&list=PL_iwD7O7FG7i6PCpD7cSoW3AkvSgS0Vgj

• Intermediate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxq_46nY43g&list=PL_iwD7O7FG7jliMf1QaYMMPn9Q603gFic

Is there a free version of Excel?
Technically, yes. You can use Excel Online for free with a Microsoft account—it’s a very stripped-down version of desktop Excel, but a good place to start.

What about Google Sheets vs. Excel?
Skills are mostly interchangeable between these two tools. Formulas, functions, and workflows are super similar. But Excel is still the go-to tool in most corporate environments. So even if you're comfortable in Google Sheets, you still need to learn Excel if you're aiming for analyst roles.

#3 Data Visualization

53% of jobs required this skill.

The most commonly requested tools were:
↳ Tableau (43%)
↳ Power BI (20%)

Since Tableau is the most popular tool, I recommend starting with Tableau if you’re learning Data Visualization.

How do you learn Data Visualization?

Start with Tableau Public, the free version of Tableau. It’s user-friendly and widely used across industries. Once you get the hang of it, build a portfolio by recreating dashboards you find online or analyzing fun datasets from Kaggle.

Need a step-by-step plan? I’ve got you covered: The only Tableau learning roadmap you need

But of course, data visualization is more than just making pretty charts. It’s about turning raw data into insights people can actually understand and act on. Check out Storytelling with Data to learn more about storytelling with data (as their name suggests).

#2 Communication

58% of jobs explicitly ask for strong communication skills. And they specifically ask for both verbal and written communication skills.

Start by practicing how you explain your projects—both in writing and out loud. Use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to get feedback and improve your clarity.

Here are a few other ways to build this skill:
• Write LinkedIn posts breaking down your projects
• Record yourself explaining your work, then watch it back
• Practice “translating” technical work into business impact
• Read great product updates or case studies—then mimic how they explain things

The thing about communication? The best way to get good at it… is to do it. A lot.
It’s not a skill you learn once—it’s a muscle you build through repetition.

#1 SQL

No surprise here—SQL is the most in-demand skill for Data and Business Analysts. 63% of job listings require it.

How to learn SQL?
Echoing the advice from earlier: don’t just learn SQL syntax—learn how to use it in real business settings. Focus on writing queries that answer actual business questions.

1. Start by learning the SQL syntax through W3 Schools.
   Need a roadmap? I got you: My SQL learning roadmap

2. Get hands-on practice applying SQL to real business problems, check out www.InterviewMaster.AI — it’s free to get started and built for exactly this.

3. Then start building your own projects, using datasets from Kaggle.