How to Become a Data Warehouse Architect
In our technology-focused world, data warehouse architects are particularly in demand as they are responsible for aligning all IT assets and objectives of a business. Their work requires knowledge of data, software, cloud services, and networks, and they can find employment in various fields including healthcare, finance, retail, and computer science.
If you want to pursue a career in this field, this article is for you. It contains detailed information on how to become a data warehouse architect including job requirements, qualifications, skills, schools, and much more.
What Is a Data Warehouse Architect?
A data warehouse architect is responsible for the design and maintenance of data management solutions. Their job is to analyze a company’s data needs, develop database management solutions, and deploy data management software for storing and retrieving data from the cloud or machine storage.
These professionals design plans to integrate, centralize, protect, and maintain a company’s potential data sources. To work as a data warehouse architect, you need strong analytical and technical skills, as well as the ability to predict the data needs of a company.
Data Warehouse Architect Job Description
The job of a data architect is to develop, analyze, and administer data, data systems, computer systems, and anti-hacking software for organizations. Data architects use their sophisticated design and development skills to collect data and translate it for use in computer applications and systems.
They figure out how to create and manage data for companies in complex, creative, and innovative ways. Most data architects can work independently, though teamwork may be required for certain projects. Data architects should not be mixed up with data engineers, as their job roles differ in significant ways.
Data Warehouse Architect Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary of a data warehouse architect is $125,655, according to Payscale. An entry-level data architect should expect to earn an annual salary of $90,000, and a data architect with at least 10 years of experience should earn around $132,000.
Jobs in data management are predicted to increase over the next few years, so it’s a wise industry to get into. BLS estimates a job growth of 10 percent between 2019 and 2029 for data-focused professions such as data administration.
Top Reasons to Become a Data Warehouse Architect in 2021
There are several reasons to become a data architect in 2021. These professionals are in demand in the industry right now, so you will be able to land a job once you have the required skills. Data architects earn a high salary compared to most other occupations, and they can find career opportunities in a variety of fields.
- High demand. There is a high demand for data warehouse architects in the industry, as they are an important part of helping organizations increase their use of technology.
- High pay. The salary of data architects is high, averaging about $125,655.
- Job opportunity. Data architects can work in almost any industry which gives them limitless job opportunities.
- Secure future. As the technology field continues to expand, you can be certain you’ll find employment as a data architect.
Data Warehouse Architect Job Requirements
To become a successful data architect, you need to meet certain educational requirements and gain specific skills with key data entities. The minimum degree required to get an entry-level job as a data architect is a bachelor’s degree, along with technical and analytical skills.
- Bachelor’s degree. To get a job as a data architect, you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or a related field.
- Programming skills. A data architect needs to have programming skills especially in languages like SQL and Python.
- Communication skills. A data architect needs to have good communication skills to excel in the field.
- Innovative thinking. A data architect should be innovative in their ideas to improve a company’s database.
Types of Data Warehouse Architect Careers
As a data architect, there are several career opportunities available for you. These might include becoming a solutions architect, enterprise architect, or senior data warehouse architect. Read on to learn more about these potential job roles.
Solutions Architect
A solutions architect is in charge of assessing an organization's business needs, developing comprehensive architecture for software solutions, as well as providing strategic guidance throughout the development process.
Enterprise Architect
An enterprise architect is responsible for determining an organization's strategy, developing IT infrastructure, and optimizing business operations. They are responsible for the organization's information applications and programs.
Senior Data Warehouse Architect
As a senior data warehouse architect, your responsibilities may include managing database administrators or other data architects.
Data Warehouse Architect Meaning: What Does a Data Warehouse Architect Do?
A data warehouse architect has various duties and responsibilities that they perform regularly. These daily tasks may involve the creation, design, and maintenance of various data tools, as well as the implementation and reporting of new data.
Develop Data Mining and Analysis Tools
Data architects create tools for data mining and analysis using database coding languages such as SQL. They also design and build SQL code to extract, transform, and load data into the star schema objects, as well as UNIX scripts, to automate release deployment related to different phases of the program.
Test and Improve
A big part of the job is to monitor and test systems that have already been created. The architects are responsible for performing quality assurance testing to continuously improve and perfect data warehouse systems.
Report and Present Results
As the role is vital to the functioning of the company, the data warehouse architect also needs to be able to understand the business needs and prepare detailed reports on progress, performance, and any issues that arise.
Essential Data Warehouse Architect Skills
There are certain crucial technical skills that all data warehouse architects should familiarize themselves with to excel in their careers. Read below to learn more about three of the most important.
Analytical skills
Data warehouse architects should have the ability to gather data and information from various internal and external sources and be able to interpret it into something that can be used to improve the organization’s business operations.
Excellent Communication Skills
A good database architect should have the people skills to be able to communicate effectively because they will be working with other teams as well as completing research and design reports.
Programming Skills
A data warehouse architect should be well versed in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and JavaScript as they are frequently used to develop data architecture.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Data Warehouse Architect?
It takes about four years to become a data architect depending on the educational path you choose.Completing a bachelor’s degree in IT-related fields like computer science, computer engineering, or information technology will take four years. If you enroll in a coding bootcamp, it will take between nine weeks to a year to complete your program.
There is also the option of registering for bootcamps or online programs, which only take weeks to complete. With all these educational options, it's not difficult to begin a career as a data architect. However, it will take between three to ten years to gain the adequate skills and experience to become an expert in the field.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Become a Data Warehouse Architect?
A coding bootcamp can help you become a data warehouse architect if you enroll in the appropriate programs, such as the ones offered by Flatiron or General Assembly. These bootcamps offer courses that will equip you with the skills necessary to become a data warehouse architect through hands-on experience and real-world projects.
Coding bootcamps are designed to prepare students for a career in tech by instilling in them all the extensive skills needed to find employment. They also offer career services to ensure that these students can land a job after completing the program. Bootcamps are a strong and affordable alternative learning path if you want to start a career in tech.
Can I Become A Data Warehouse Architect From Home?
If you register for online programs or online bootcamps, you can become a data architect from home. Both of these choices are available to anyone ready to start their career. They are typically self-paced and offer similar education opportunities as in-person programs.
How to Become a Data Warehouse Architect: A Step-by-Step Guide
To become a professional data architect, you will need to have a certain level of skill mastery and experience. Below are some steps you can follow to get you started on a rewarding data warehouse architect career.
Step 1: Get a Degree
Potential employers love seeing degrees on your resume, so you can start by applying to college for a degree in any IT-related field like computer engineering, or computer architecture.
Step 2: Learn Coding
If a college degree is not the option for you, you can enroll in a coding bootcamp or register for online programs to learn data science and other related skills. They are also a great way to top up your technical skills during or after college.
Step 3: Build a Professional Network
Building a network of professionals can make a significant impact on your career. This network can help you stay in the loop about updates in the industry, and also help you land high-profile jobs in the future.
Step 4: Apply for Jobs
After getting a degree and equipping yourself with the necessary qualifications and skills needed to start a career, you can apply for an entry-level job, for example as a database administrator.
Step 5: Earn Certifications
Learning never stops in this career, as technology is an ever-growing field. You should constantly be improving your skills by earning additional certifications to advance your career and give you an advantage in the job market.
Best Schools and Education for a Data Warehouse Architect Career
You can learn to become a data architect by getting a four-year degree, enrolling in a bootcamp, or taking online classes. Any of these educational paths can help you start your career, but they all offer different strengths. For instance, coding bootcamps teach you technical and in-demand skills while universities teach you a wider range of academic and theoretical knowledge.
Bootcamps
Data science bootcamps are designed to teach you the skills relevant to start a career in your chosen tech field. They also offer career services such as assistance with interview prep, resume writing skills, online branding, and much more to ensure that you are fit to get a job upon graduation.
These bootcamps can also serve as a means of building a professional network, as the majority of them have large communities of students, alumni, and experts that students have access to even after graduating.
Vocational School
Vocational schools are trade schools that specialize in training students for a particular job or task. A data warehouse architect vocational school will train its students in the technical skills necessary to join the field and start a career upon graduation.
These school programs last for about two years and may require prior experience or certification before applying. Also, depending on the field, you may need to get further education after completing the program to start your career.
Community College
Community colleges are available to anyone with a high school diploma. They are a great resource for students who have yet to decide on a program to major in, as it allows them more time to explore their options. Community college programs last for two years, and the degree can be used to transfer to a four-year college to complete your degree if you choose to do so.
Community college is also known as junior college and students need to be at least 18 to attend. These schools are more affordable than four-year colleges or universities, and offer part-time options for students who cannot afford to attend school full time.
Data Warehouse Architect Degrees
There are various degrees that can help you start a career as a data architect. A four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer architecture, or a related field are all strong options. You can also choose to continue your education beyond a bachelor’s degree by applying for a master’s degree in similar programs.
A master’s degree would help you stand out in the hiring process and give you a competitive advantage as you advance in your career.
The Most Important Data Warehouse Architect Certificates
There are several certifications in the tech industry that will stand out to employers. These certifications help hiring managers see that you have the skills necessary to carry out your job efficiently and that you have the knowledge and experience needed to work as a data architect.
Data Science Council of America (DASCA) Associate Big Data Engineer
Organized by the Data Science Council of America, this certification validates knowledge of popular big data platforms such as Hadoop and Spark, as well as proprietary and open-source developer tools. To get this certificate, candidates have to pass a 75 question online exam.
IBM Certified Data Architect - Big Data
This certification is aimed at big data engineers who work directly with data architects and developers to test, design, and evaluate big data solutions. They also give architects advice on hardware and software requirements. To obtain this certification, you must pass a five-section test with 53 multiple-choice questions.
SAS Certified Big Data Professional
The SAS Certified Big Data Professional certification is for people who want to prove their ability to use open source and SAS Data Management technologies to prepare big data for statistical analysis. Data access, transformation, and manipulation is emphasized, in addition to SAS programming skills.
How to Prepare for Your Data Warehouse Architect Job Interview
To land a job as a data warehouse architect you need to have a good knowledge of the field, and most importantly, the relevant skills required for the job. Some of these skills include programming and analytical skills, and knowledge of database design and cloud computing. You’ll want to be able to show mastery in these topics in any job interviews you land.
Below are some job interview practice questions.
Data Warehouse Architect Job Interview Practice Questions
- What programming languages are you familiar with?
- How do you display and present statistical information so it is easy for your audience to understand?
- How do your data warehousing approaches help you analyze information and make decisions?
- What do you feel are the most important aspects of a data architect's role?
- What kind of statistical and data analysis tools do you prefer to work with?
Should I Become a Data Warehouse Architect in 2021?
You should become a data warehouse architect, as the industry is booming in 2021 with plentiful job opportunities and room for career advancement. The career also comes with relatively high salaries as the average earnings of a data warehouse architect is $125,655.
