Business Intelligence Analyst

Your Fit

Income

$113K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

35.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Business Intelligence Analyst?

A Business Intelligence Analyst utilizes data analytics and business knowledge to provide insights that help organizations make strategic decisions. They analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and business opportunities.

Sample job titles:

Business Intelligence Analyst (BI Analyst), Competitive Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Analyst, Market Intelligence Consultant

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Business Intelligence Analyst.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Business Intelligence Analyst earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$64K per year	$83K per year	$113K per year	$156K per year	$194K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $63K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Business Intelligence Analyst do?

Work environment

Business Intelligence Analysts typically work in an office environment, often as part of a business analytics or IT department within various industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, or technology. They spend much of their time analyzing data, creating reports, and presenting findings to management. Collaboration with other departments to understand business needs and objectives is common.

Quick task list

Collects, analyzes, and interprets large datasets.
Develops and maintains business intelligence tools, databases, and dashboards.
Identifies trends and patterns to provide actionable business insights.
Collaborates with various teams to understand data needs and deliver relevant reports.
Presents findings to stakeholders and makes recommendations for strategic decisions.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Market Intelligence Analysis: Focusing on market trends, customer preferences, and competitive dynamics.
Financial Intelligence Analysis: Analyzing financial data to improve profitability and efficiency.
Operations Intelligence Analysis: Concentrating on internal processes to optimize operational efficiency.
Customer Intelligence Analysis: Understanding customer behaviors and preferences to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
Data Visualization and Reporting: Specializing in creating intuitive dashboards and reports for easy data interpretation.

Description

Business Intelligence Analysts play a critical role in transforming data into insights that drive business decisions. They must be proficient in data analytics tools and techniques, with a deep understanding of how to interpret complex datasets. A blend of technical and business acumen is essential to effectively translate data findings into understandable and actionable business insights.

They need strong problem-solving skills and creativity to uncover hidden patterns and correlations that can provide a competitive edge or identify new opportunities. Analysts work closely with various business functions to understand their data needs, ensuring that the insights provided align with organizational goals and strategies.

Staying current with the latest tools, technologies, and trends in data analytics and business intelligence is crucial. Continuous learning and adaptation are key aspects of this role, as technology and business environments are rapidly evolving.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The intellectual challenge of solving complex business problems with data.
The impact of providing data-driven insights that influence strategic business decisions.
Opportunities for continuous learning and skill development in a dynamic field.

You might make a good Business Intelligence Analyst if you are...

Analytically minded, with a strong aptitude for interpreting and analyzing data.
Detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy and relevance in data reporting.
A strong communicator, capable of explaining complex data insights in simple terms.
Curious and proactive in exploring data for new business opportunities.
Tech-savvy, comfortable with various data analysis tools and software.

Pros:

High demand across various industries, offering diverse career opportunities.
Dynamic work environment with constant learning and development.
Significant impact on business decision-making and strategy.

Cons:

Can be demanding with tight deadlines and high expectations for accuracy.
Requires continuous learning to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies and methodologies.
Intensive focus on data can sometimes limit exposure to broader business operations.

How to become a Business Intelligence Analyst

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in business analytics, data science, computer science, or a related field is typically required, amounting to about 4 years of post-secondary education. Advanced positions may prefer a Master's degree or additional certifications in business intelligence or data analysis.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics, especially statistics, for analytical skills.
Computer science for foundational skills in programming and data management.
Business studies to understand basic business principles and concepts.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in math or science clubs.
Engaging in coding bootcamps or online courses related to data analytics.
Joining business or economics clubs to understand the application of data in business.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in business analytics, data science, or a related field.
Gaining practical experience through internships in business intelligence or data analysis.
Earning certifications in business intelligence tools, data analytics, or visualization software.

More resources

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) - Provides resources and certifications for business analysts.
Tableau Public - Offers resources for learning data visualization.
Coursera – Business Intelligence Courses - Online courses in business intelligence from top universities.
Microsoft Power BI Community - A platform for learning and sharing knowledge about Power BI.
Analytics Vidhya - A community of analytics professionals and data scientists sharing insights and tutorials.

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