Become A Business Analyst

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Working As A Business Analyst

Interacting With Computers
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Processing Information
Getting Information
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
$63,500
Average Salary

What Does A Business Analyst Do

A business analyst is someone who analyzes an organization or business domain (real or hypothetical) and documents its business or processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology.

How To Become A Business Analyst

A bachelor’s degree in a computer or information science field is common, although not always a requirement. Some firms hire analysts with business or liberal arts degrees who have skills in information technology or computer programming.

Education

Most computer systems analysts have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Because these analysts also are heavily involved in the business side of a company, it may be helpful to take business courses or major in management information systems.

Some employers prefer applicants who have a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems. For more technically complex jobs, a master’s degree in computer science may be more appropriate.

Although many computer systems analysts have technical degrees, such a degree is not always a requirement. Many analysts have liberal arts degrees and have gained programming or technical expertise elsewhere.

Many systems analysts continue to take classes throughout their careers so they can learn about new and innovative technologies. Technological advances come so rapidly in the computer field that continual study is necessary to remain competitive.

Systems analysts must understand the business field they are working in. For example, a hospital may want an analyst with a thorough understanding of health plans and programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and an analyst working for a bank may need to understand finance. Having knowledge of their industry helps systems analysts communicate with managers to determine the role of the information technology (IT) systems in an organization.

Advancement

With experience, systems analysts can advance to project manager and lead a team of analysts. Some can eventually become IT directors or chief technology officers. For more information, see the profile on computer and information systems managers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and be able to decide the best way to move forward on a project. They must also be able to figure out how changes may affect the project.

Communication skills. Analysts work as a go-between with management and the IT department and must be able to explain complex issues in a way that both will understand.

Creativity. Because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important.

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Business Analyst jobs

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Business Analyst Career Paths

Business Analyst

Information Technology Manager Director Of Information

Chief Information Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Information Technology Project Manager Director Of Information

Director Information Technology Infrastructure

13 Yearsyrs

Business Analyst/Project Manager Business Systems Manager

Director Of Business Systems

12 Yearsyrs

Senior Finance Analyst Finance Manager Senior Manager

Director Of Enterprise Architecture

14 Yearsyrs

Information Technology Consultant Information Technology Manager

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Manager Director Of Information

Director Of Information Technology Services

12 Yearsyrs

Senior Systems Analyst Senior Software Engineer

Director Of Software Development

12 Yearsyrs

Senior Systems Analyst Systems Administrator Director Of Information

Director, Applications

13 Yearsyrs

Senior Consultant Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Director

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Business Analyst Senior Consultant Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Systems Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Product Manager Marketing Manager Senior Product Manager

Principal Product Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Product Manager Senior Product Manager

Product Management Director

12 Yearsyrs

Program Manager Senior Manager Director Of Information

Senior Director Of Information & Technology

13 Yearsyrs

Senior Analyst Senior Consultant Information Technology Manager

Senior Information Technology Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Business Analyst Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Senior Project Manager

Senior Technical Program Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Program Manager Information Technology Project Manager Director Of Information

Vice President Information Systems

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Consultant Senior Manager Director Of Information

Vice President Of Information Technology

12 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Senior Systems Analyst Lead 3.8 years
Business/Applications Analyst 3.7 years
Business Analyst Team Lead 3.5 years
Business Analyst/Manager 3.5 years
Business Analyst/Project Manager 3.2 years
Lead Business Systems Analyst 3.1 years
Business Analyst/Product Manager 3.1 years
Senior Business Analyst 3.1 years
Business Analyst 3.0 years
Senior Technical Business Analyst 2.9 years
Senior Business Analyst Lead 2.9 years
Technical Business Analyst 2.8 years
Business Analyst-Consultant 2.7 years
Business Analyst/Quality Analyst 2.6 years
Business Solutions Analyst 2.6 years
Lead Business Analyst 2.6 years
Business Process Analyst 2.5 years
Business Analyst Associate 2.3 years
Business Requirements Analyst 2.3 years
Business Analyst/Tester 2.2 years
Senior Business Data Analyst 2.2 years
Requirements Analyst 2.2 years
Contractor-Business Analyst 2.2 years
Business Functional Analyst 2.1 years
Business & Data Analyst 2.1 years
Junior Business Analyst 1.5 years
Business Analyst Internship 0.5 years

Top Careers Before Business Analyst

Top Careers After Business Analyst

Senior Business Analyst 28.2%
Project Manager 12.8%
Consultant 6.3%
Business Analyst/Project Manager 4.9%
Business Analyst-Consultant 4.6%
Lead Business Analyst 4.1%
Systems Analyst 3.9%
Data Analyst 3.9%
Senior Project Manager 3.7%
Senior Consultant 3.4%
Program Manager 3.0%
Information Technology Project Manager 2.9%
Finance Analyst 2.7%
Analyst 2.5%
Business & Data Analyst 2.3%
Technical Business Analyst 2.3%
Product Manager 2.3%
Quality Assurance Analyst 2.1%
Manager 2.1%
Senior Analyst 2.1%

Business Analyst Demographics

Gender

Male
52.6%
Female
44.3%
Unknown
3.2%

Ethnicity

White
66.9%
Asian
19.8%
Hispanic or Latino
8.4%
Unknown
3.8%
Black or African American
1.1%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
35.4%
French
12.0%
Chinese
8.6%
Mandarin
7.8%
German
4.7%
Hindi
4.7%
Portuguese
4.0%
Russian
3.4%
Italian
2.9%
Japanese
2.9%
Arabic
2.6%
Cantonese
2.4%
Urdu
1.8%
Korean
1.7%
Carrier
1.7%
Vietnamese
0.9%
Gujarati
0.9%
Polish
0.8%
Thai
0.5%
Bengali
0.5%

Business Analyst

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Business Analyst Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
21.2%
George Washington University
5.5%
Strayer University
5.2%
Villanova University
4.9%
Northeastern University
4.9%
New York University
4.8%
Pennsylvania State University
4.8%
George Mason University
4.7%
DePaul University
4.7%
University of Houston
4.5%
University of Texas at Dallas
4.4%
University of Texas at Austin
3.9%
Michigan State University
3.5%
University of Maryland - University College
3.5%
Webster University
3.4%
Georgia State University
3.4%
Southern New Hampshire University
3.3%
Texas A&M University
3.2%
Arizona State University
3.2%
Drexel University
3.2%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
43.2%
Masters
35.6%
Other
11.5%
Associate
4.0%
Certificate
3.6%
Doctorate
1.1%
Diploma
0.9%
License
0.1%

Business Analyst

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Full Time

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Internship

Temporary

Real Business Analyst Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Business Analyst	Strohmier Consulting LLC	Ashburn, VA	Nov 16, 2015	$150,000
Business Analyst, CRM	Agility Technologies Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Dec 01, 2017	$117,996 - $135,000
Business Analyst, CRM	Agility Technologies Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 10, 2017	$117,996 - $135,000
Business Analytics Analyst	Arcogent, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 05, 2015	$109,000 - $120,000
Business Analytics Analyst	Arcogent, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 13, 2015	$109,000 - $120,000
Business Analytics Analyst	Arcogent, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Oct 17, 2016	$109,000 - $120,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 29, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 21, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 01, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 21, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 30, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 28, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 09, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 11, 2015	$107,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 14, 2015	$107,000
Business Systems Analyst	ICSA Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 12, 2016	$107,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 20, 2013	$105,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 02, 2015	$103,000
Business Systems Analyst	ICSA Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 28, 2018	$103,000
Business Systems Analyst	Delviom LLC	Ashburn, VA	Apr 17, 2018	$102,731
Business Systems Analyst	Delviom LLC	Ashburn, VA	May 16, 2018	$102,731
Business Systems Analyst	Delviom LLC	Ashburn, VA	May 18, 2018	$102,731
Business Systems Analyst	Delviom LLC	Ashburn, VA	May 21, 2018	$102,731
Business Systems Analyst	Med-Strategies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 02, 2015	$102,502
Oracle E-Business Analyst	Anira Solutions Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 16, 2018	$96,000
Business Analyst	Anira Solutions Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 16, 2018	$96,000
Business Analyst	GVA Infotech Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 16, 2018	$96,000
Business Systems Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 26, 2013	$93,600
Business System Analyst	Amiti Consulting, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 18, 2016	$92,934
Business Analyst	Amiti Consulting Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 01, 2018	$92,100
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 23, 2014	$91,000
Business Analyst, CRM	Agility Technologies Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Dec 01, 2014	$90,000 - $105,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 05, 2013	$90,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 05, 2013	$90,000
Software Systems Engineer/Business Systems Analyst	Idexcel, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 30, 2017	$90,000
Business Analyst	Concert Tech Corporation	Ashburn, VA	Feb 02, 2015	$88,000
Business Analyst	Zillion Technologies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 06, 2015	$87,422
Business/Systems Analyst	Delviom, LLC	Ashburn, VA	Nov 21, 2016	$85,000 - $100,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 04, 2012	$85,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 07, 2013	$85,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Mar 14, 2013	$85,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 06, 2013	$85,000
Business Analyst	Infogen Software Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Dec 09, 2017	$84,000
Business Systems Analyst	Zillion Technologies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 19, 2016	$83,782
Business Systems Analyst	Zillion Technologies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Oct 02, 2017	$83,304
Business Analyst	Dimension Consulting	Ashburn, VA	Aug 27, 2016	$83,158
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 04, 2014	$83,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 09, 2014	$83,000
Business System Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 08, 2014	$83,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 17, 2013	$82,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 04, 2013	$82,000
Business Analyst	CNI Global Solutions, LLC	Ashburn, VA	Jul 14, 2017	$80,184 - $104,200
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 15, 2012	$80,000
SR. Business Systems Analyst	Porvus Tehnologies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 24, 2010	$80,000 - $90,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 08, 2014	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 04, 2014	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 27, 2013	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 15, 2013	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 23, 2013	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 26, 2013	$80,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 04, 2013	$79,000
Business Systems Analyst	Elite Innovative Solutions Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 19, 2017	$79,000
Business Systems Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 07, 2013	$77,000
Business Systems Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Mar 06, 2013	$77,000
Business Analyst	Concert Tech Corporation	Ashburn, VA	Jan 14, 2014	$76,600
Business Analyst	Sstech LLC	Ashburn, VA	Sep 28, 2016	$75,000
Business System Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Mar 06, 2014	$75,000
Oracle Financials Business Analyst	Intellipoint Consulting, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 01, 2011	$75,000
Business Analyst	Infotech Systems Technology Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 11, 2015	$75,000
Business Systems Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 28, 2014	$75,000
Business Analyst	Value Consulting LLC	Ashburn, VA	Mar 16, 2010	$75,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 07, 2012	$75,000
Business Analyst	Infogen Software Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 01, 2014	$73,400
Business Analyst	Infogen Software Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 09, 2014	$73,400
Business Systems Analyst 2	Caci Enterprise Solutions, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 09, 2017	$71,783
Business Analyst/Statistician	Nedia Enterprises, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 10, 2015	$71,730
Business Analyst	Concepts Information Technology, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 13, 2018	$70,958
Business Analyst	Deloitte Consulting LLP	Ashburn, VA	Nov 28, 2017	$70,574
Business Systems Analyst	Amiti Consulting, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 16, 2018	$70,283
Business Analyst	Klein Management Systems, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 10, 2015	$70,000
Business Analyst-Rules	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Oct 31, 2012	$70,000
Business Systems Analyst	Med-Strategies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Mar 15, 2015	$70,000
Business Analyst	GVA Infotech Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 18, 2017	$70,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 12, 2013	$70,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 12, 2014	$70,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 08, 2013	$70,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 16, 2013	$70,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Mar 15, 2013	$69,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 08, 2013	$69,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 02, 2013	$69,000
Business System Analyst	Dfuse Technologies, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Apr 24, 2013	$68,000
Business Analyst	Infogen Software Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 10, 2015	$68,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 22, 2015	$68,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jun 06, 2013	$68,000
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 17, 2014	$67,700
Business Analyst	MMC Systems Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 05, 2015	$67,700
Business Analyst	Zillion Technologies Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Nov 06, 2014	$67,621
Business Systems Analyst	Amiti Consulting, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 15, 2015	$67,621
Business Analyst	North Dome Solutions	Ashburn, VA	Sep 08, 2015	$67,621
Business Analyst	Nexus It Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 09, 2017	$67,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jul 09, 2017	$66,784
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 07, 2017	$66,784
Business Analyst	ICSA Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Sep 26, 2016	$66,331
Business Analyst	Nedia Enterprises, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 18, 2013	$66,074
Business Analyst	Infogen Software Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 24, 2016	$66,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	May 13, 2013	$66,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 13, 2014	$65,500
Business Analyst I	Amazon.Com Services, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 23, 2018	$65,200
Business Analyst	Vivsoft Technologies LLC	Ashburn, VA	Sep 08, 2014	$65,000
Business Analyst	Nexus It Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 09, 2016	$65,000
Business Analyst	Value Consulting LLC	Ashburn, VA	Sep 20, 2010	$65,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Aug 28, 2012	$65,000
Business Systems Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Feb 19, 2014	$65,000
Business Analyst	Business Pointers Incorporated	Ashburn, VA	Oct 01, 2012	$65,000
Business Analyst	Business Pointers Incorporated	Ashburn, VA	Feb 25, 2013	$65,000
Business Systems Analyst	Business Pointers Incorporated	Ashburn, VA	Oct 03, 2012	$65,000
Business Analyst	Asta CRS, Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 05, 2016	$65,000
Business Analyst	Nexus It Inc.	Ashburn, VA	Jan 08, 2016	$65,000
Business Systems Analyst	Amiti Consulting Corporation	Ashburn, VA	Jul 21, 2016	$65,000
Business Analyst	North Dome Solutions	Ashburn, VA	Sep 08, 2015	$65,000

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Top Skills for A Business Analyst

Top Business Analyst Skills

Business Requirement Document
Business Process Models
SQL Server

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Designed and authored Business Requirement Documents, Functional Specifications and Technical maps for Asset Management stream.
Prepared Business Process Models that includes modeling of all the activities of the business from the conceptual to procedural level.
Utilized querying relational databases (T-SQL) and Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services to pull and integrate data from various sources.
Used Microsoft VISIO to document the flow of the project including sales calls.
Led quarterly financial and inventory forecast processes to plan business operations at vendor and country levels.