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What is a business analyst/project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Rebecca Sarver
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With the growing number of businesses in existence, business analysts are very much in-demand. There is such a high demand for analysts because of their vital role in an organization. Companies can improve their technical and strategic skills by learning current business and marketing scenarios through business analysts. A business analysis identifies an organization's position in the market in comparison to its competitors.

Business analysts develop project management procedures, ensure the efficiency and accuracy of project deliverables, analyze company processes, and handle client needs to satisfaction. These professionals analyze a company by assessing its business model and documenting its systems, finding vulnerabilities, and proposing thoughtful solutions to these issues.

To become a business analyst, you'll need a bachelor's degree minimum in a business-related subject. Work experience in the field enhances your chances of getting selected for a position. Once successfully getting hired by a corporation or organization, you can earn $43.20 per hour. That's quite a satisfying number.

What general advice would you give to a business analyst/project manager?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

Listen more than you talk. There is so much to be learned from clients, seasoned human service workers, and the community that you work within. By listening and observing versus always feeling compelled to speak, you will learn job skills, people skills, and your clients' needs.
ScoreBusiness Analyst/Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $99,882

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 14.49%

Black or African American 7.51%

Hispanic or Latino 8.50%

Unknown 4.45%

White 64.88%

Gender

female 44.23%

male 55.77%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Business analyst/project manager career paths

Key steps to become a business analyst/project manager

  1. Explore business analyst/project manager education requirements

    Most common business analyst/project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.4 %

    Master's

    21.1 %

    Associate

    6.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific business analyst/project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management9.13%
    Business Stakeholders6.05%
    Business Process5.45%
    Project Scope4.31%
    Business Analysis3.97%
  3. Complete relevant business analyst/project manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New business analyst/project managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a business analyst/project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real business analyst/project manager resumes.
  4. Research business analyst/project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Administer SharePoint repository for project teams including managing user lists, building file structures and document version control management.
    • Build divisional pipelines by identifying potential contract leads utilizing DoD procurement resources which focus on engineering and supply chain management.
    • Facilitate daily QA defect analysis meetings and produce daily documentation including meeting minutes, defect logs and status reports.
    • Provide all levels of management with flowcharts using VISIO.
  5. Prepare your business analyst/project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your business analyst/project manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a business analyst/project manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable business analyst/project manager resume templates

    Build a professional business analyst/project manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your business analyst/project manager resume.
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
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    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
    Business Analyst/Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for business analyst/project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a business analyst/project manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first business analyst/project manager job

Zippi

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Average business analyst/project manager salary

The average business analyst/project manager salary in the United States is $99,882 per year or $48 per hour. Business analyst/project manager salaries range between $72,000 and $137,000 per year.

Average business analyst/project manager salary
$99,882 Yearly
$48.02 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do business analyst/project managers rate their job?

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Business analyst/project manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project

Cons

Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

-interacting with end users or customers - delivering successful products or services

Cons

Managing projects or leading large projects as this makes the BA role difficult to do well


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager

Cons

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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