Life As a Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst Definition Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Daily Life Of a Business Intelligence Analyst
- Identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.
- Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
- Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.
- Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
- Conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.
- Collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.
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Skills Needed to be a Business Intelligence Analyst
These are the skills Business Intelligence Analysts say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Reporting Analyst
- Manager, Market Intelligence
- Consultant, Strategic Business and Technology Intelligence
- Commercial Intelligence Manager
- Business Process Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst Employment Estimates
There were about 287,200 jobs for Business Intelligence Analyst in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 26,600 new jobs for Business Intelligence Analyst by 2026. The BLS estimates 22,400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Business Intelligence Analyst are Washington, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maryland, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Business Intelligence Analysts Salary
The average yearly salary of a Business Intelligence Analyst ranges between $47,350 and $144,820.

Business Intelligence Analysts who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Business Intelligence Analysts in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $87,060 |
Alaska | $98,830 |
Arizona | $85,010 |
Arkansas | $73,670 |
California | $103,270 |
Colorado | $102,470 |
Connecticut | $100,340 |
District of Columbia | $117,540 |
Florida | $78,900 |
Georgia | $90,140 |
Hawaii | $89,960 |
Idaho | $80,610 |
Indiana | $79,310 |
Iowa | $78,810 |
Kansas | $79,300 |
Kentucky | $79,420 |
Louisiana | $66,600 |
Maine | $79,790 |
Maryland | $113,330 |
Massachusetts | $92,110 |
Michigan | $76,400 |
Minnesota | $81,650 |
Mississippi | $81,280 |
Missouri | $82,610 |
Montana | $68,430 |
Nebraska | $86,230 |
Nevada | $72,610 |
New Hampshire | $112,440 |
New Jersey | $99,210 |
New Mexico | $79,540 |
New York | $90,750 |
North Carolina | $88,650 |
North Dakota | $70,730 |
Ohio | $82,440 |
Oklahoma | $78,490 |
Oregon | $79,610 |
Pennsylvania | $87,040 |
Rhode Island | $81,290 |
South Carolina | $92,100 |
South Dakota | $81,250 |
Tennessee | $74,000 |
Texas | $90,290 |
Utah | $76,890 |
Vermont | $72,220 |
Virginia | $105,270 |
Washington | $91,620 |
West Virginia | $83,660 |
Wisconsin | $74,600 |
Wyoming | $75,780 |
What Tools do Business Intelligence Analysts Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Business Intelligence Analysts:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Python
- jQuery
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- MongoDB
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst
Individuals working as a Business Intelligence Analyst have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Business Intelligence Analysts?

Business Intelligence Analysts work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: The Opte Project via Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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