What’s 2026 going to look like for Data Analysts? I’ve been thinking about this for awhile…

And while, I'm not a fortune teller, I have been watching the data job market very closely since 2018. And I’ve got some ideas.

Here are three things I think you should watch out for next year as a data analyst.

1. I Think It's Going to Get Easier to Land a Data Job

This might sound crazy, but hear me out. I think landing a data job in 2026 could be easier than it was in 2025. Now, I'm not saying it's going to be a walk in the park. Job hunting is never easy - especially in tech. But I've noticed something interesting.

From 2015 to 2022, data analytics was on fire. Everyone wanted to be a data analyst. But then around 2022, things got crowded. The number of jobs stayed about the same. But way more people were applying. Now I think the hype is moving somewhere else.

Everyone's chasing AI roles: Prompt Engineer, AI Product Manager, AI Engineer, Automation Specialist, etc. And honestly? I think that's good news for you. Same number of data jobs. But maybe less people fighting for them.

The hype around data analytics is going down. But companies still need data analysts just as much.

2. Companies Will Start Using AI More (But Not the Way You Think)

I do think companies are going to start using AI for data work. But I also think people are freaking out way more than they need to.

First, I don’t think AI will replace humans. I sure can’t get it to replace me (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot 🤣).

Second, big companies move very slowly. Like really, really slow. I worked at ExxonMobil. It was the seventh biggest company in the world at the time. And most of our analysis? We did it in Excel. Excel! Python's been around since the 1990s. And we still weren't using it that much. Why? Because rolling out new tech at big companies is a nightmare. There's security checks. IT approval. Training. Everything breaks. It takes forever.

It’s gonna take a long time to get AI actually being used in corporate America.

But I do think some companies (the more nimble ones) will start giving individual analysts access to AI tools. Things like ChatGPT, Claude, Julius AI. And those tools will help you work faster. But they won't replace you. They'll just change what you focus on. I've used AI to analyze data myself. And trust me, it's not ready to replace anyone.

So yeah, I think your job will change. You'll probably use AI more. But I also think you'll become MORE valuable because you'll be the person connecting the data to the actual business decisions.

I’m personally not worried about AI taking your job.

3. Your Domain Experience Matters More Than Ever

This one gets me excited. Especially for people switching careers. The "how" of data analysis is starting to matter less. AI can help with the technical stuff. But I think KNOWING what to analyze and WHY it matters will be more important than ever.

Let me give you an example. Say you used to be a teacher. You know how schools work. You know how classrooms operate. You know how decisions get made in education. I don't. And ChatGPT definitely doesn't. You could teach me SQL, Python, and Tableau in a few months. But I can't learn 10 years of teaching experience in a few months. And I think that experience is what's going to make you valuable.

So if you're coming from another career, I think that's actually going to be your advantage in 2026.

Here's what I'd do if I were starting out today:

There you have it. 3 bold predictions for 2026.

I guess bookmark this and email me in 365 days and let me know if I was right or wrong!

In the mean time, here’s what you can focus on:

Focus on the basics. SQL, Excel, and one BI tool. Master those before chasing the next shiny thing.

Use your background. Whatever you did before data, lean into it. That knowledge might be what separates you from everyone else.

Don't be scared of AI. Learn to use it as a tool. Let it help you work faster, but don't let it do your thinking for you.

If you want a place to practice these skills with real projects and honest guidance, that’s what we’re building in The Accelerator.