Skill Demand Index
dbt — Demand & Depth Analysis
Based on 8 scored job postings out of 3,786 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.
0.2%
Demand Rate
L1
Median Depth
87.5%
Gap Rate
8
Jobs Analyzed
Minimal
Most employers want dbt at introductory awareness.
Overview
What is dbt?
Market context for dbt in the current job market
dbt is required in 0.2% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for dbt typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.
What the data shows for dbt:
- •Required in 0.2% 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 — 38% of all dbt jobs
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 dbt 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 87.5% means most applicants lack dbt at the depth employers need. This is a real opportunity for candidates who invest in building genuine proficiency.
Which roles need dbt most:
Data Analysis positions drive 38% of demand. Software Engineering and Data Science / ML also frequently list dbt as a requirement. Skills commonly paired with dbt include SQL and Python.
Depth Level Distribution
Proficiency Distribution
How candidates match dbt requirements across 8 scored evaluations
Average depth: L1.3·Median depth: L1.0
Salary Correlation
Pay Impact
How dbt affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data
Without dbt
$139K
Median $130K
976 jobs
Skill Demand Insight
“dbt appears in 0.2% of all scored jobs.”
From 8 scored job postings
Skill Pairings
Commonly Paired Skills
Other skills that frequently appear alongside dbt
Role Breakdown
Top Role Categories
Job categories most likely to require dbt
Gap Analysis
Gap Rate Explained
How often dbt is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications
High gap rate — most candidates are underqualified
When dbt appears in a job's requirements, 87.5% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dbt in demand in 2026?
Yes. dbt appears in 0.2% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 8 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.
What level of dbt do most jobs require?
The median required depth is L1. Many positions accept basic to intermediate proficiency.
Does knowing dbt increase salary?
Salary data for dbt is still accumulating.
What other skills pair with dbt?
The most common pairings are SQL, Python, Looker, Data Analytics, Data Visualization Tools. Strengthening these alongside dbt improves your fit across more positions.
What roles need dbt the most?
Top roles: Data Analysis, Software Engineering, Data Science / ML, Other. Data Analysis positions have the highest demand at 38% of all dbt jobs.
How do I improve my dbt 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 dbt job requirements
ShouldApply scores your profile against each skill at the depth level jobs actually need.
Analyze my dbt gaps →See how your depth compares to what employers actually require
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