Browse Skills data models

data models

🔻 Declining ESCO reuse: sector-specific

The techniques and existing systems used for structuring data elements and showing relationships between them, as well as methods for interpreting the data structures and relationships.

data models — the techniques and existing systems used for structuring data elements and showing relationships between them, as well as methods for interpreting the data structures and relationships. McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 97.26/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. ESCO classifies it as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill within knowledge. It is currently listed by 5 occupations in our catalogue, including Database administrators, chief technology officer, big data archive librarian, and data engineer.

Category: knowledge › database and network design and administration SCI: 97.26/100 Also known as: data modelling

Occupations that require data models

Showing top 5 of 5 occupations · ranked by India employment volume, then AI-durability.

Database administrators 👥 150,000 · 🤖 8.4/10
chief technology officer · 🤖 5.0/10
big data archive librarian · 🤖 5.5/10
data engineer · 🤖 5.5/10
software analyst · 🤖 6.7/10

Frequently asked questions

What is data models?

The techniques and existing systems used for structuring data elements and showing relationships between them, as well as methods for interpreting the data structures and relationships.

What category of skill is data models?

ESCO classifies data models under the knowledge category, specifically in the database and network design and administration subcategory.

Is data models an AI-durable skill?

McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 97.26/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. Prioritise this skill only when it directly enables paid work today — plan for AI to absorb more of it every year.

Which jobs require data models?

In our catalogue, 5 occupations list data models as a required or important skill. The top occupations by employment volume include Database administrators, chief technology officer, big data archive librarian, data engineer, software analyst.

How transferable is data models between industries?

ESCO tags data models as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill — a signal of how portable it is when you change field.

Is data models the same as data modelling?

Yes — data models is also known as data modelling. They refer to the same underlying capability in the ESCO taxonomy.

How can I learn data models?

The most reliable path is to pick a job or project that demands data models and learn through delivery. Complement that with role-specific roadmaps and short courses. Explore the occupations below to see where this skill is used in practice.

Data: ESCO v1.2.1 (CC-BY-4.0). Durability framework informed by McKinsey Global Institute (Nov 2025). See our methodology.