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Principal Data Analyst Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Principal Financial Group

Compliance Advisor

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

$104K - $150K/yr

Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. (PFD) is a limited-purpose broker-dealer supporting Principal ... Leverage data to provide in-depth analysis and reporting to help guide decision-making processes ...

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All JobsPrincipal Data Analyst JobsPrincipal Data Analyst Jobs in Iowa

Principal Data Analyst information

See Iowa salary details

$31.9K

$77.6K

$127.7K

How much do principal data analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal data analyst in Iowa is $77,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,700.00 and $91,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay 200,000 a year in the USA?

Principal Data Analysts with extensive experience, advanced skills in data modeling, and proficiency in tools like SQL and Python can reach annual salaries of $200,000 or more. High-paying roles often require advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities in data-driven organizations.

What is the highest paying data analyst job?

The highest paying data analyst roles are often senior or specialized positions such as Lead Data Analyst, Data Science Manager, or Data Analytics Director, which typically require advanced skills in programming, machine learning, and business strategy. These roles can offer salaries exceeding $100,000 annually, especially in industries like finance, technology, and consulting. Certifications in data analysis tools and experience with big data platforms can also contribute to higher compensation.

What are Principal Data Analysts?

Principal Data Analysts are senior-level professionals who lead complex data analysis projects within an organization. They are responsible for interpreting large datasets, designing analytical models, and providing strategic insights to guide business decisions. In addition to technical expertise, they often mentor junior analysts, collaborate with stakeholders, and help set data strategy. Principal Data Analysts typically have extensive experience and a deep understanding of both data science and the industry in which they work.

What does a principal data analyst do?

A principal data analyst leads data analysis projects, develops strategies for data collection and interpretation, and provides insights to support business decisions. They often oversee a team, use tools like SQL and Python, and have strong statistical and communication skills. Their role involves ensuring data accuracy and translating complex data into actionable recommendations.

What is the difference between Principal Data Analyst vs Data Scientist?

AspectPrincipal Data AnalystData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related field; strong analytical skillsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Computer Science, or related; programming skills often emphasized
Work EnvironmentBusiness-focused, analyzing data to inform decisions, often within corporate teamsResearch and development environment, building models, exploring data, often in tech or research firms
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in finance, healthcare, retail, and corporate sectorsPrevalent in tech, e-commerce, and research organizations

The main difference between a Principal Data Analyst and a Data Scientist lies in their focus and skill set. Principal Data Analysts typically concentrate on interpreting data to support business decisions, while Data Scientists often develop predictive models and algorithms. Both roles require strong analytical skills and relevant education, but Data Scientists usually have more programming expertise and a focus on machine learning. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations hire the right talent for their data needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Data Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Data Analyst, you need advanced expertise in data analysis, statistical modeling, and data visualization, often backed by a degree in a quantitative field and several years of experience. Mastery of tools such as SQL, Python or R, business intelligence platforms, and data warehousing systems is typically required, along with relevant certifications like Certified Analytics Professional (CAP). Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills set top analysts apart, enabling them to translate complex data into actionable business insights. These competencies are essential for driving data-driven decision-making and leading analytical projects that align with organizational goals.

How does a Principal Data Analyst typically contribute to cross-functional projects within an organization?

A Principal Data Analyst often plays a key role in cross-functional projects by acting as the primary liaison between data teams and business stakeholders. They lead the design and execution of complex analyses, ensuring that project requirements are clearly understood and data-driven insights align with organizational goals. This role involves collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and executives to translate business questions into actionable analytical solutions, while also mentoring junior analysts and establishing best practices. Their strategic input is critical to shaping data-driven decision-making across departments.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

Principal Data Analysts typically do not earn $1,000,000 annually; such high salaries are usually found in executive roles like CEOs, hedge fund managers, or successful entrepreneurs. Some highly specialized or high-level executives in finance, technology, or investment sectors can reach or exceed this income level, often through bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing. These roles require extensive experience, advanced skills, and often a combination of leadership and strategic responsibilities.
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Principal Data Analyst jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Data Analyst job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,621 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Principal Data Engineer

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.

Fairfield, IA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job SummaryKey Deliverables and Responsibilities

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will serve as a hands-on technical leader responsible for designing, building, and optimizing Cambridge's modern data platform. You'll help define data architecture standards, lead engineering efforts, mentor team members, and drive scalable data solutions that support enterprise analytics and business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines supporting enterprise reporting, analytics, and business applications.

  • Build and optimize ETL/ELT solutions using modern cloud-based technologies.

  • Design and implement data integration solutions utilizing Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Functions, and other Azure services.

  • Develop and maintain datasets within Snowflake and Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) environments.

  • Lead data platform architecture initiatives, including data modeling, ingestion, transformation, storage, and consumption patterns.

  • Drive performance tuning and cost optimization efforts across cloud data platforms and processing workloads.

  • Design secure, reliable data movement solutions using batch and streaming integration patterns.

  • Establish engineering best practices, code reviews, and architectural standards.

  • Mentor data engineers and provide technical leadership across projects.

  • Partner with analytics, product, and business stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-quality data solutions.

What We Are Looking For

  • 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or related technical roles.

  • Strong hands-on experience with:

    • Snowflake (SQL)

    • Azure Data Factory (ADF)

    • Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS)

    • Azure Functions

    • Data Pipeline Development

    • ETL / ELT Design and Implementation

    • Performance Tuning

    • Cloud Cost Optimization

    • Python

  • Strong SQL development and data modeling expertise.

  • Experience designing scalable data integration and analytics solutions in Azure.

  • Knowledge of modern data architecture patterns and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Bronze/Silver/Gold (Medallion) architecture patterns.

  • Experience with Change Data Capture (CDC) and streaming platforms.

  • Experience with data governance, lineage, and metadata management.

  • Knowledge of financial services, wealth management, or highly regulated industries.

Location: Phoenix, AZ, or Fairfield, IA - Hybrid in-office 3 days/week

Why Cambridge?

Cambridge has competitive benefits and promotes a work/life balance to encourage individual success.

  • Premium benefit package including medical, vision, dental, life and long-term disability insurance

  • Vacation/sick time

  • 401K retirement plan with company matching program

  • Eleven paid holidays

You can find more details about our comprehensive benefits packagehere.

Company Overview:

At Cambridge, our purpose is simple: to make a difference in the lives of our financial advisors, their clients, and our associates. Founded in 1981, we have 45 years of experience supporting independent financial advisors with industry-leading tools, compliance, and transition services. Guided by our core values-integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness-we put financial advisors first in every decision we make.

Cambridge is an internally controlled, growth-focused independent broker-dealer, ranked among the largest and fastest-growing firms in the industry. With home offices in Fairfield, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona, and a nationwide reach, our 900 associates maintain a 4:1 advisor-to-associate ratio to ensure personalized service.

Our community of over 4,000 producing financial advisors includes diverse business models-RIA, corporate RIA, hybrid, fee-only, and brokerage-and offers a broad selection of investment solutions with no proprietary products.

For further information about Cambridge, please visit https://www.joincambridge.com/

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