How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst – A Complete Career Guide

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Five Steps to Launching a Successful Business Intelligence Analyst Career: 

Step 1: Earn your Undergraduate Degree 

Undergraduates should look for degrees in information systems, computer science, data science, business administration, engineering, economics, or a related field that gives you insight into business processes and organizational operations. You’ll need to understand as much as you can about data before entering the profession, so look for classes in data architecture, database design, data mining, data visualization, and so on. You’ll also want to have strong Excel and SQL skills before graduating. 

Step 2: Complete an Internship and Gain Entry-level Work Experience 

Business intelligence analysts are expected to have work experience before entering the job, unless able to supplement that experience with something like a Master’s in Business Administration, which may suffice for some employers. One good way to begin your training is to get an internship in the financial industry, which will give you the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a business.  

After you graduate, consider a job as a data analyst, business analyst, or a data report writer. Look for chances in these jobs to query SQL, model and analyze data, and define and manage the scope of projects. All of these experiences will give you vital contacts in the industry, as well as a better sense of the end-to-end process of the kind of projects that a business intelligence analyst completes on a regular basis. 

Step 3: Get a Professional Certification 

The best professional certification for business intelligence analysts is Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate. This certification proves that you have the skills necessary to design and use SQL to deliver data-based solutions. The exam includes querying and administering SQL databases, implementing a data warehouse and data models, and designing business solutions.  

Another option is TDWI’s Certified Business Intelligence Professional, which you can test for and receive at the levels of either “practitioner” or “mastery.” You’ll need at least 2 years of relevant work experience to register for this exam. You may also want to get a certification in specific computer languages, like SAS. 

Step 4: Become a Business Intelligence Analyst 

Typically, a business intelligence analyst is not an entry-level role, although you may find having already earned an MBA (more on that below) can substitute for some years on the ground in the eyes of certain employers according to Indeed. Once you have developed the necessary skills, gained work experience, and gotten certified professionally, you can apply for business intelligence analyst positions. You will be required to have an average of about 4 or 5 years of work experience, though some roles require up to 8 years of work experience. You will also likely need 1 or 2 years of supervisory experience within an organization, as business intelligence analysts are often project managers and can sometimes have hiring responsibilities. 

Step 5: Pursue an Advanced Degree 

A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) is preferred for this role, though master’s are generally not required if a candidate has sufficient work experience and professional certifications. You can also get a master’s in information technology, or a master’s in the industry you want to specialize in.  

Business Intelligence Analyst Job Description 

• Meet with clients to identify needs and concerns 
• Conduct information-gathering interviews and obtain feedback from clients and customers 

• Collect data and extract data from warehouses for reporting, using querying techniques 
• Analyze current data with software applications 
• Create summary reports of a company’s current standings  
• Present recommendations to senior management about ways in increase efficiency  
• Oversee implementation of technological initiatives 

• Develop new analytical models and techniques for a company to standardize data collection 

Skills Needed to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst 

Business Skills: 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in order to share recommendations often based on highly technical data with colleagues in an approachable, easily digestible way 
• Superior leadership abilities, as well as ability to brainstorm and collaborate with team members on a data science project 

• Creative problem-solving skills and critical thinking 
• Ability to work within a diverse, global workforce that is oriented around customer satisfaction, particularly as many business intelligence analysts are asked to work directly with clients 

Technical Skills: 

• Database design and data architecture 
• Data mining and analytics  

• Data security and privacy  
• Data visualization, including tools such as Tableau and Qlik 
• Handle all variants of SQL 
• Proficient in ETL (extract, transform, load) 
• Understand which situations need Hadoop, R, and SAS and use these effectively  

• Cloud computing and data storage technology, such as Google’s BigQuery and Amazon’s Redshift 

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary 

The average salary for business intelligence analysts, according to payscale.com, is $69,597, though this can vary based on location. BuiltInNYC lists the average salary for a business intelligence analyst in New York City, for instance, at $92,800. Skills in data warehousing, data modeling, and data mining are associated with pay that is better than average. Besides New York, some of the best-paid business intelligence analysts can be found in the Bay area in cities like San Francisco and San Jose, with Washington D.C., Portland, Seattle, and Boston all offering numerous well-paid positions as business intelligence analysts as well.  

Business intelligence analysts often move into higher-level jobs within 10 years, including roles such as analytics manager, business intelligence manager, business intelligence architect, and analytics manager.  

Business Intelligence Analyst job outlook 

The job market for business intelligence analysts is expected to grow by 11% from 2019 to 2029, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics which tracks data for the comparable role of management analyst. They are required in many different fields, from healthcare to education to finance to law enforcement. Organizations in all of these fields and more are looking for ways to compete and stand out, and business intelligence analysts can provide necessary insights using data to create these advantages. Thus, they are highly sought-after individuals. Provided you have the right skills, experience, and interest in solving problems you will be able to set yourself apart in this competitive yet thriving job market.