Business Intelligence Analyst Salary Guide

Are you looking for a career in which you make an actionable difference for your company and the industry at large? If so, you might be interested in a career in business intelligence, a dynamic field with ample opportunities and strong earning power. 

The average business intelligence analyst salary in the United States ranges from $75,694 [3] to $99,864 [5] annually. The exact amount you can earn in this career will depend on various factors, such as your education, experience, location, and other credentials. In this position, you will help companies make strategic decisions based on your business intelligence data analysis. You may also positively impact customers and the overall market. 

Continue reading to learn more about the average business intelligence analyst's salary. Delve into how education, location, experience, and skill set can impact your salary. Get information about how to become a business intelligence analyst to begin your career journey.  

What does a business intelligence analyst do? 

As a business intelligence analyst, you collect and analyze data about company operations to understand trends, look for new opportunities, and communicate the data or action plan to company stakeholders. The data you collect may come from publicly available information, business intelligence software or tools, industry reports, or paid research. Based on your findings, you will analyze the data and make recommendations to senior leadership. 

Average business intelligence analyst salary

The average business intelligence analyst salary ranges from roughly $75,000 to $101,000 annually, according to November 2024 data from five salary and career websites. The data from each of the sources breaks down as follows [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:

Factors that impact a business intelligence analyst's salary

To estimate how much you could earn as a business intelligence analyst, look closely at your resume. Depending on your highest level of education, any credentials you’ve earned, experience in the field, or the area where you wish to work, you can determine how salaries vary depending on your situation. 

Education

Zippia offers a breakdown of business intelligence analysts' salaries by education level. Check out the average salaries per November 2024 data [4]:

• Associate: $72,155

• Bachelor’s: $83,982

• Master’s: $92,166

• Doctorate: $92,601

Location

Your education is only one of several details that factor into salaries. Where you wish to live and work can also make a significant difference. The top five highest-paying states and districts for business intelligence analysts, according to Zippia, are [4]:

• New Hampshire: $94,092

• California: $91,673

• District of Columbia: $91,659

• Maryland: $88,515

• Washington: $87,094

On the other side of the payscale, the lowest-paying states include [4]:

• Hawaii: $59,510

• South Dakota: $67,914

• Louisiana: $67,987

• Mississippi: $68,502

• Wyoming: $68,971

Experience

Your previous experience in similar roles will also typically impact how much you can earn as a business intelligence analyst. Glassdoor and Payscale offer further insight into the average salaries of entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions [1, 3]:

Skills

The specific skills listed on your resume can also impact your career as a business intelligence analyst. Payscale offers insight into which skills could potentially equal the most value in your paycheck [3]: 

• SQL: $76,774

• Business intelligence: $76,853

• Tableau software: $76,601

• Data analysis: $75,601

• Microsoft Power BI: $75,050

What qualifications are needed for a job as a business intelligence analyst? 

To become a business intelligence analyst, you'll likely need to earn a college degree and gain relevant experience. You may also benefit from earning a certificate in business intelligence. 

Educational requirements 

Typically, employers will require a bachelor’s degree for business intelligence analysts. According to Zippia, a bachelor’s degree is the most common for a business intelligence analyst, held by 68 percent of those in the field]. Of the remaining 32 percent, 24 percent hold a master’s degree, 5 percent hold an associate degree, and 3 percent have a diploma or other degree. Business is the most common major, pursued by 20 percent of business intelligence analysts [6]. Data science, business analytics, computer science, economics, and finance are common majors for this line of work. 

Experience requirements

Although requirements vary, it’s typical for employers to ask for two to four years of prior experience working in a business or data-related role. To gain relevant experience, you can consider working as a data analyst, data report writer, or business analyst. These and other entry-level roles can help you learn the skills you’ll need to be successful in a business intelligence analyst role. 

Certifications and certificates

Extra credentials can boost your resume and provide tangible proof of your skills and knowledge. Professional certifications like the Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate and the TDWI’s Certified Business Intelligence Professional accreditation can be valuable. 

Additionally, while you may not need a certificate to work as a business intelligence analyst, it is helpful to demonstrate your range of skills to an employer and learn specialized skills for the career of your choice. The Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate, for example, helps you earn a shareable Professional Certificate in as little as two months to demonstrate that you have the skills needed to work successfully as a business intelligence analyst. 

What skills do I need to work as a business intelligence analyst? 

In this career, you’ll need skills such as using business intelligence tools, working with data, visualization, databases, and teamwork. 

One way organizations collect business intelligence is through software that stores and organizes data in formats such as charts, graphs, and dashboard overviews. You’ll need to know programs such as Tableau. You will need experience managing large data sets and analyzing them to find trends and other interesting information. Doing so will require a solid analytical sense and expertise to determine the data quality. 

You’ll need to understand databases and other data interaction methods. Lastly, you’ll need strong human skills to communicate effectively with the rest of your team and the company's stakeholders. These include analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. 

Career outlook 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that operations research analyst jobs will likely grow 23 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations [7]. Additionally, according to data gathered by Zippia [8], salaries for business intelligence analysts have increased by 10 percent in the last five years. 

In increasingly complex markets, business intelligence is essential for companies to make informed strategic decisions. As new tools and technology make collecting and understanding data easier, the need for business intelligence analysts will continue. 

Getting started with Coursera 

Business intelligence analysts use data to help companies reach their goals. The job outlook for this role is positive, and it's a career that offers a competitive salary. 

If you’re ready to take the next step and start a career as a business intelligence analyst, consider earning your Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate. To succeed in this three-series course, Google recommends having educational experience in foundational analytical principles, skills, and business intelligence tools. In as little as two months, this certificate will teach you skills in business analysis, data analysis, data modeling, data visualization, and more.