Research Summary. Leveraging a combination of publicly available government data and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has compiled updated average salary estimates for business analyst roles across the United States. This analysis highlights the highest-paying categories of business analysts based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying business analyst roles:
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The top-paying position is the Lead Business Analyst, with an average salary of $107,171 and an hourly rate of $51.52.
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Following closely is the Senior Technical Business Analyst, earning an average of $105,907 annually.
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The overall average salary for business analysts is $74,431 per year, reflecting an hourly wage of $35.78.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision-making, it remains a crucial consideration. If you aspire to become a business analyst, understanding the most lucrative roles can help you effectively plan your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various types of business analysts:
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Lead Business Analyst
Average Salary: $107,171
A Lead Business Analyst employs data and analytical skills to strategize, develop, and implement business systems and operations to help organizations achieve their short- and long-term objectives. Their responsibilities include conducting market research, data analysis, assessing consumer behavior, and identifying system strengths and weaknesses. They also perform risk assessments, create business models and forecasts, and propose solutions to potential challenges while ensuring compliance with company regulations and standards.
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Senior Technical Business Analyst
Average Salary: $105,907
Senior Technical Business Analysts are seasoned professionals focused on enhancing business processes. They evaluate current procedures against the evolving business landscape and stay informed about industry trends that impact the organization. Collaborating with various departments, they develop comprehensive insights that inform actionable plans to tackle organizational challenges.
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Business Systems Senior Analyst
Average Salary: $103,098
Business Systems Senior Analysts focus on resolving organizational information challenges. Their duties include setting operational objectives, designing software solutions, and refining business systems by analyzing existing practices. They are responsible for defining project requirements, ensuring user confidentiality, and preparing technical documentation. Continuous professional development through workshops and associations is essential for this role.
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Business Analyst/Project Manager
Average Salary: $99,882
A Business Analyst/Project Manager develops project management methodologies, analyzes processes, and ensures the quality and efficiency of project deliverables according to client specifications. They oversee resources, delegate tasks, manage timelines, and maintain regular communication with clients to suggest strategic adjustments as necessary. Their role also involves risk management and ensuring that project outputs adhere to budgetary constraints.
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Senior Business Analyst
Average Salary: $96,844
Senior Business Analysts typically oversee business operations to assess risks and develop strategies to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency. They collaborate with diverse teams, monitor progress, gather data, and identify opportunities, while ensuring customer satisfaction and compliance with organizational policies.
Below is a complete table showcasing the average compensation for various high-paying business analyst roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Business Analysts
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly available information from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to formulate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information for business analysts.
After collecting data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to formulate salary estimates. For more details on our methodology, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Business Analyst Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid business analyst job?
The highest-paid business analyst job is a Lead Business Analyst. Lead Business Analysts earn an average salary of $107,171, which equates to $51.52 per hour.
A Lead Business Analyst employs data and analytical skills to strategize, develop, and implement business systems and operations to help organizations achieve their short- and long-term objectives. Their responsibilities encompass conducting market research, data analysis, assessing consumer behavior, and identifying system strengths and weaknesses. They also perform risk assessments, create business models and forecasts, and propose solutions to potential challenges while ensuring compliance with company regulations and standards.
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What is a good salary for a business analyst?
A good salary for a business analyst is $74,431 or more. The average business analyst salary is $74,431, so those earning at least this amount are above the average pay.
It’s important to note that average salaries can vary by location, with companies adjusting pay scales based on regional living costs. Researching local salary data for your expertise and experience level can provide insight into your compensation.
For entry-level business analysts, the average starting salary is lower, so the $74,431 average may not accurately reflect your compensation if you’re new to the field.
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Do Business Analyst jobs pay well?
Yes, business analyst jobs typically offer competitive pay. While some positions may pay more than others, the average salary of $74,431 is significantly higher than the national average salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Moreover, the top 10% of business analysts earn significantly more, reflecting high earning potential in this field.
Compensation for business analysts varies based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s crucial to research salary trends in your area and leverage that information during salary negotiations.
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Where do business analysts earn the highest salaries?
Business analysts earn the highest salaries in Nevada. In Nevada, the average annual salary for business analysts is $75,193, with an average hourly wage of $36.15.
Following Nevada, states with the highest-paying business analyst roles include Oregon, Washington, and New Jersey, with average annual salaries of $81,847, $88,037, and $80,764 respectively.
Major cities that offer the highest salaries for business analysts include:
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Mountain View, CA – $91,966
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Seattle, WA – $88,529
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Washington, NJ – $81,060
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
