What Is an Entry Level SAS Programmer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

An entry-level SAS programmer works with a team of individuals to develop and maintain a data management platform and its advanced analytics for an organization. Your duties in this career involve the collection of data and the development of its statistical analysis system to get the desired information and determine its implications for the decision makers of a business. The SAS software suite uses a proprietary programming language to accomplish these tasks. Other responsibilities include testing scripts and using code libraries to streamline the processes. You also update the existing framework as necessary.

Qualifications for an entry-level SAS programmer position include a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Coursework in statistics is necessary to create meaningful analyses. Experience in the industry of the organization with whom you work is helpful for understanding the type of data you need to collect. Vendor certification in SAS is desirable and a requirement for some employers. Outstanding problem-solving and critical thinking skills are vital for writing and testing code. The job takes keen concentration to stay focused and conduct troubleshooting. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for communicating with other team members and explaining complex issues to non-IT staff.