Skill Demand Index
Data Governance — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 19 scored job postings out of 3,786 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0.5%
Demand Rate
L1
Median Depth
52.6%
Gap Rate
19
Jobs Analyzed
Minimal
Most employers want Data Governance at introductory awareness.
Overview
What is Data Governance?
Market context for Data Governance in the current job market
Data Governance is required in 0.5% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for Data Governance typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for Data Governance:
- •Required in 0.5% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
- •Employers typically expect L1 depth — foundational knowledge with practical application
- •Most demand comes from Data Analysis roles — 53% of all Data Governance jobs
- •Median salary for roles requiring Data Governance: $105K vs $130K for roles that don't — a $18K difference
What L1 means in practice:
L1 (Minimal) means you can discuss the concept but haven’t used it in production. Many entry-level positions accept this.
This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used Data Governance once or twice. They want evidence of professional application — shipped work, measurable outcomes, and the ability to operate independently.
Common skill gaps:
The gap rate of 52.6% means most applicants lack Data Governance at the depth employers need. This is a real opportunity for candidates who invest in building genuine proficiency.
Which roles need Data Governance most:
Data Analysis positions drive 53% of demand. Other and Marketing also frequently list Data Governance as a requirement. Skills commonly paired with Data Governance include SQL and Data Analytics.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match Data Governance requirements across 19 scored evaluations
Average depth: L1.5·Median depth: L1.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How Data Governance affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
With Data Governance
$121K
Median $105K
5 jobs
Without Data Governance
$139K
Median $130K
974 jobs
↓ $18K lower
for roles requiring Data Governance
Skill Demand Insight
“Data Governance appears in 0.5% of all scored jobs.”
From 19 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside Data Governance
Role Breakdown
Top Role Categories
Job categories most likely to require Data Governance
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often Data Governance is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
High gap rate — most candidates are underqualified
When Data Governance appears in a job's requirements, 52.6% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Data Governance in demand in 2026?
Yes. Data Governance appears in 0.5% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 19 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.
What level of Data Governance do most jobs require?
The median required depth is L1. Many positions accept basic to intermediate proficiency.
Does knowing Data Governance increase salary?
Jobs requiring Data Governance pay $18K less on average. The impact varies by role and location.
What other skills pair with Data Governance?
The most common pairings are SQL, Data Analytics, Power BI, Data Analysis, Python. Strengthening these alongside Data Governance improves your fit across more positions.
What roles need Data Governance the most?
Top roles: Data Analysis, Other, Marketing, Software Engineering. Data Analysis positions have the highest demand at 53% of all Data Governance jobs.
How do I improve my Data Governance level?
L1→L2: online courses and personal projects. L2→L3: daily professional use and shipped work. L3→L4: mentoring others and optimizing processes. L4→L5: architecture decisions, open source contributions, or published work.
See how you stack up against Data Governance job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my Data Governance gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
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