SAS programmers are important technology professionals who collect and interpret data. They use SAS software to identify opportunities for more efficient operations and to forecast future trends for businesses and other organizations.

If you are considering a career as a SAS programmer, you need to understand the training and skills you will need on the job. In this article, we will discuss what SAS programmers do, list the skills that will help you excel in your role, and explain the training you will need for the job. We will also discuss the rewards of employment as a SAS programmer.

Definition of a SAS Programmer

SAS is the acronym for "statistical analysis system." SAS was developed in the 1960s and 1970s at North Carolina University as a tool for data management, multivariate analysis, advanced data analysis, business intelligence, criminal investigation, and predictive analytics. The SAS Institute was incorporated in 1976 as a stand-alone institution to keep improving the SAS software suite. SAS now includes a variety of statistical procedures, a point and click interface, and the capacity to do social media analytics.

What Does a SAS Programmer Do?

SAS programmers work with data. 

Before SAS programmers analyze data, of course, they must have data. SAS programmers obtain data from the Internet, from databases, from their applications programming interface, and from their organizations. They must understand data cleaning and how to make data "tidy." The ability to clean data makes every application of SAS more efficient.

After SAS programmers analyze data, they must be able to share their findings. They may need to know how to use systems like Tableau or be able to write routines in R to create data graphics. They must have speaking and writing skills to relate their findings to testable hypotheses that their employers can use to make good policy decisions.

Between data collection and data presentation, SAS programmers make expert applications of SAS. Common job duties of a SAS programmer include:

• Constructing sampling routines to make sure they have enough data from enough sources.
• Managing databases with tools such as SQL to input into SAS.
• Ensuring that results are not limited by biases in data selection.
• Creating routines in SAS and writing routines in R and Python.
• Presenting reports to and answering questions from the management team.
• Automating data collection and data maintenance with SAS and other database management tools.
• Performing quality control in input, analysis, and presentation of data.
• Analyzing the impact of data analysis on management decisions and profitability as well as other outcomes for the company.
• Collaborating across departments to achieve organizational goals.
• Articulating findings in ways that influence management decisions.

It is possible for SAS programmers to analyze data without knowing R, and it is possible for R programmers to analyze data without SAS. Programmers who are familiar with both programs can use SAS to access and analyze raw data, manage data entry, analyze historical data, and to perform prescriptive and predictive analytics. They can use their skills with R to clean data before it is analyzed and to access programming tools such as conditionals and loops for data analysis. 

It is possible, of course, to find an entry position with SAS programming skills and to learn R as you go along.

What Skills Do SAS Programmers Need?

We have already mentioned that SAS programmers benefit from knowing other programming languages, such as SQL, R, Python, and Tableau. Many SAS programmers also use Visual Basic and need some familiarity with a language that competes with SAS called SPSS. Knowing all of these languages enables SAS engineers to build data warehouses from legacy sources and to probe the limits of statistical tools. The more programming languages a SAS programmer knows, the more tools they have for data analysis and data science.

But SAS programmers need to know a lot more than programming languages.

Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

No SAS programmer works in isolation. SAS programmers need to be able to understand the priorities and concerns of managers and employees across the company who use their data analyses. SAS programmers must be able to document their projects in terminology and in a form all end-users of their work can understand. They must be able to communicate their progress with their project so everyone can stay on agreed-on timelines.

Time Management

SAS programmers must be able to prioritize tasks, especially when they are managing multiple projects at the same time. They must exert strong time management skills to make sure they keep company-wide projects on schedule.

Customer Service

SAS programmers must follow programming specifications. They must be able to code specific dashboards for end users. They must keep end users in mind when presenting data.

Education and Training to Become a SAS Programmer



Most SAS programmers have a college-level background in computer programming, at least an associate degree. There are also SAS certification programs for those who intend to work in human resources, insurance, or the pharmaceutical industry. The SAS Institute offers two designations based on skill level that are very helpful in getting a job, Certified Base Programmer and Certified Advanced Programmer.

Fladger and Associates recruits SAS programmers for positions with leading employers across the United States. For more information, call us at 302-836-3100 or contact us online today!