How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst

Everything a company does — every person it interacts with, every product it creates and sells, every service it promotes — creates and contains valuable data that can drive key business decisions. Data scientists apply a variety of tools and skills for data analysis to uncover patterns, then use that information to enhance productivity, streamline activities, and reduce costs.

Let’s use a restaurant as a simple example. The restaurant can keep track of information like how many customers sit down to eat versus those who order take-out, and adjust their staffing to accommodate variable needs. They can monitor kitchen stock and accurately predict future inventory orders based on order variations throughout the week. All of this data already exists — the restaurant just needs to be able to capture it. That’s where business intelligence comes in.

Business Intelligence Analyst Job Outlook

Business intelligence (BI) analysts take the raw information produced through company activities and apply data science principles to sort through it to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. What’s more, their specialized skills are in demand; employment of management analysts is projected to grow by 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is much faster than the average for all occupations.

If you are naturally curious, tech-savvy, and enjoy problem solving, becoming a business intelligence analyst can be a great career option. In this article, we’ll cover BI basics including the current job demand and salary for business intelligence analysts, and the steps you should take to become one.

What Is a Business Intelligence Analyst?

A business intelligence analyst is responsible for sorting through the vast amounts of data generated by business activities, and identifying areas for improvement. They rely on a combination of strong analytical skills and technical abilities to perform their work, which may include tasks such as:

• Preparing reports using tools like Tableau, Google Analytics, and HubSpot
• Using artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Power BI, Sisense, or Qlik
• Analyzing customer or market data with tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Sprout Social
• Creating and managing databases using tools like SQL, MongoDB, and Google Cloud
• Developing information models with tools like Lucidchart, SQL Database Modeler, and Oracle SQL Developer

When it comes to interpersonal abilities, clear communication is among the most important business intelligence analyst skills. Not everyone in a business understands analytics terminology, so a BI analyst should be able to explain their findings to stakeholders in words that everyone understands. Time management, problem solving, and critical thinking are other important soft skills for BI analysts to perform their work effectively.

Curious about the industries that are hiring business intelligence analysts? Top employers of BI analysts include professional, scientific, and technical services; government; finance and insurance; and large corporations.

Why Become a Business Intelligence Analyst?

Business intelligence analysts aren’t just in demand across industries; according to the BLS, the median annual wage for management analysts was $95,290 in 2022. Analysts in professional, scientific, and technical services reported average earnings of $101,900, while those in government-related roles earned an average of $85,280 in the same year.

Business Intelligence Analyst Job Titles

As you become familiar with the BI analyst landscape, you may see a variety of terms and titles used in job listings. Here are some of the job titles associated with business intelligence analysis, and a brief description of their responsibilities:

• Business analyst: Evaluates and analyzes systems requirements, delivers status reports, and troubleshoots problems related to system optimization.
• Business operations specialist: Monitors and reports on business performance, and recommends improvements when appropriate.
• Sales manager: Reviews and analyzes sales records, using data to project sales and profitability, and identify new markets.
• Operations analyst: Reviews company data and builds reports that include recommendations for improving business outcomes.
• Associate data analyst: Collects and analyzes data to uncover trends and patterns, assists in creating and maintaining databases, and conducts market research.
• Finance analyst: Evaluates current and historical financial data, studies economic and industry trends, and identifies opportunities to generate profit.
• Data scientist: Applies mathematical, problem-solving, and coding skills to manage big data and extract valuable insights.

If you already have some data analytics or data science experience, you may be interested in more advanced roles you can pursue with BI analyst skills, such as working with big data. As you progress through your career, you may set your sights on becoming the Director of BI, a Chief Data Officer (CDO), or Executive Consultant.

Importance of Business Intelligence Analysts

Every business generates data. They may not be collecting or organizing it, but it’s there. Business intelligence analysts have the proper skills to not only identify relevant data, but sort through it and determine its usability.

Think back to the restaurant example we used earlier. Let’s pretend that the restaurant owner wants to develop a weekly promotion to drive sales during slow hours. A business intelligence analyst might ask for data related to customer traffic patterns and ordering habits during specific times. They might also look at operations data to determine the associated overhead costs. Once they’ve reviewed all the relevant information, the BI analyst may find that it makes more sense for the restaurant to close for a few hours between seatings. Or, they may recommend that the restaurant owner focus more on delivery and catering to make up for the dip in sales. 

Similarly, if the restaurant owner wants to cut back on waste, the BI analyst will evaluate weekly purchase trends and compare them against weekly sales. They may develop a system to predict more accurate vendor orders, which could save the restaurant money by reducing food waste and the amount of time required to replenish inventory.

Become a Business Intelligence Analyst in 4 Steps

Ready to start exploring the potential of business intelligence? With the right education, skills, and experience, you can stand out from the crowd when it’s time to apply for jobs. Whether you’re starting from square one or taking the next step on your path toward business intelligence, we’ve put together a roadmap to help you on your journey to becoming a certified business intelligence professional.

Step 1: Develop Business Intelligence Analyst Skills

Your starting point toward becoming a business intelligence analyst will depend on your current experience and professional background. Take a look at the table below to identify where you stand and explore the educational options available.

Consider your practical experience from your schooling or career. Many of the skills needed to perform work related to computer science, data mining, data collection, or artificial intelligence may overlap with business intelligence analyst responsibilities.

Earning a certificate related to business intelligence activities and tools can further set you apart when applying for jobs. Some of the more popular certifications available include:

• Tableau Desktop Specialist: This certification validates core knowledge and skills related to Tableau Desktop. There are no prerequisites for this exam.
• Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate: This certification demonstrates possession of the necessary skills for a business intelligence career. There are no prerequisites for this exam.
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: This certification indicates strong proficiency across the technical skills and BI tools used for business analysis. Applicants must complete prerequisite training to qualify for this exam.
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®): This certification recognizes leading, senior members of the business analyst community with extensive experience. Applicants must have at least 10 years of relevant work experience to qualify for this exam.
• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA): This certification highlights in-demand business analysis skills. Applicants must meet educational, experience, and training requirements to qualify for this exam.

Our Business Analytics Certificate Course is a promising option for learners interested in becoming Tableau Desktop Specialist certified. The 10-week program covers important knowledge and skills relevant to a wide range of roles, and prepares you to take the Tableau certification exam prior to completion.

In addition to earning the proper education and certifications to align with your business intelligence career goals, it’s just as important to incorporate continuous learning into your long-term plan. This will ensure that you are:

• More adaptable to the changes that eventually occur in every industry
• Able to take on more challenging projects and advance in your career
• Seen as a valuable member of your organization by employers
• Able to think critically, solve problems creatively, and propose innovative solutions
• On top of industry trends and focused on continually expanding your skill set
• Prepared for the jobs of the future with the skills needed to thrive during change

Staying competitive as a certified business intelligence professional can also increase your earning potential. Learners who achieve long-term goals may be able to command a higher business intelligence analyst salary than those who do not invest in ongoing education.

Step 2: Gain Relevant Experience

After you have obtained a business intelligence analytics degree or certificate — or both — you can focus on securing opportunities to gain real-world experience. Depending on your background, you may seek out internships with businesses you hope to work for, join a co-op program that allows you to learn while working, or apply for an entry-level analytics role.

One of the best ways to showcase your abilities is through a portfolio of your work. During the educational phase of your journey, you will likely work on assignments and projects that you can feature in your portfolio. Make sure that your portfolio is tailored to the jobs you’re interested in. For example, individuals seeking out analyst roles may showcase their comfortability conducting data analysis and using data mining skills on complex data, while those pursuing project management roles might present their work as a case study to explain their thought process.

Networking is another important step toward becoming a BI analyst. As you research your educational options, you may find that some programs offer networking and similar opportunities to learners. Consider asking for mentorship from someone you trust and whose career path you want to emulate. These relationships can open up doors to employment and help you stay on top of industry trends and advancements.

Step 3: Specialize for Your Chosen Industry

Choosing a specialization when starting or advancing your career in business intelligence analytics can make you more in-demand as a job applicant. Candidates who possess specific skills and deep knowledge in a particular area are often much more marketable to employers. The processes for data collection, analysis, and visualization can vary depending on your chosen industry. Specializing in your chosen industry can give you the competitive advantage you need to pursue a career that interests you and has potential for growth.

As we mentioned earlier in this article, some of the top industries hiring business intelligence analysts and their responsibilities include:

• Professional services: BI analysts working in consulting, accounting, legal services, or marketing work closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and deliver data-driven solutions.
• Sciences: BI analysts working in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, or environmental sciences work with complex datasets to generate insights that drive innovations and improve outcomes.
• Technology: BI analysts working in software, IT services, telecommunications, or hardware work with large volumes of data to enhance business outcomes and promote innovation.
• Government: BI analysts working in government agencies, public health, law enforcement, or government finance work with diverse stakeholders to address complex challenges and improve citizens’ wellbeing.
• Finance: BI analysts working in banking, investment management, insurance, or financial services work with complex financial datasets to drive business growth, manage risks, and deliver value to clients.
• Insurance: BI analysts working as actuaries, claims analysts, customer analysts, or risk management analysts collaborate with stakeholders to manage risks and improve efficiencies.
• Corporate business: BI analysts working in sales, supply chain management, or human resources work across different functional areas to drive strategic decision-making and organizational performance.

Step 4: Apply for Business Intelligence Analyst Jobs

Once you’ve earned the proper credentials and gained practical experience through internships and projects, you’re ready to start applying for business intelligence analyst positions. By this time, you should have a good idea of the types of roles and industries you’re qualified for. Start browsing for jobs that align with your skills and interests, taking note of the specific skills and responsibilities listed for each one. When it’s time to submit your resume and application, make sure to tailor your language to match the job listing to increase your chances of getting noticed by employers.

This is also the time to start leveraging those professional networks and relationships you’ve built throughout your educational and professional journey. Sometimes, an act as simple as sending a clear and thoughtful message through LinkedIn can result in an interview and even being hired.

Learners who enroll in our Business Analytics Certificate Course benefit from a wide range of career advice and support services to help them meet their unique goals. These include:

• Resume and cover letter review and tips: Your career coach will ensure that your resume aligns with the business analyst responsibilities listed for the roles you’re interested in.
• LinkedIn profile optimization: Your career coach will identify ways that your professional presence attracts the right kinds of employers and gets attention on your profile.
• Small group workshops: Your career coach will provide you and your peers with career advice related to becoming a certified business intelligence professional.
• Career coaching: Your career coach will support you during the full job search process, answering any questions you may have along the way.
• Mock interviews and negotiations: Your career coach will help you polish your answers to interview questions and ensure you understand the job outlook for your chosen career path.

With the help of their career coach, learners in the our Certificate Course can learn how to navigate the interview and post-interview, maximize their earnings, and transform their career.

Our Business Analytics Certificate Course

Ready to start your journey toward becoming a BI analyst? The Business Analytics Certificate Course can help you accelerate your career with a foundation in both business and analytics. The curriculum covers in-demand topics, such as:

• Introduction to Business Analytics
• Data Modeling
• Basics of SQL
• Data Visualization Technology and Fundamentals
• Career Planning and Future of Business Analytics
• AI and Machine Learning in Business Analytics

The completely virtual 10-week course allows you to benefit from a flexible schedule while gaining an on-demand education. Throughout the course, you’ll have many opportunities for hands-on practice using BI tools on complex data, and receive expert feedback from industry experts. By course completion, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam.

Start or Advance Your Business Intelligence Analyst Career

Whether you’re just getting started on your business intelligence analyst career journey, or you’re a seasoned professional looking to gain in-demand skills for the modern workforce, it’s possible to reach your goals in four simple steps.

Interested in learning more about our Business Analytics Certificate Course? Visit our website or, if you prefer to speak with an advisor, schedule a call to discuss the curriculum and available payment options.