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What is a business intelligence developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Laura Boman Ph.D.
introduction image

A business intelligence developer is an individual who analyzes complex data sets to identify trends and create reports that can be used by businesses to make informed decisions. They use data visualization tools to create dashboards and reports that help businesses understand their operations, identify areas for improvement, and track progress towards goals. Business intelligence developers work closely with other members of their organization to ensure that data is accurate and up-to-date.

What general advice would you give to a business intelligence developer?

Laura Boman Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Marketing, Kennesaw State University

Maximizing your salary potential as you start your career involves several key strategies. Prior to beginning a job hunt, research market rates to understand the typical compensation range for your desired role and industry. When negotiating, confidently advocate for yourself by highlighting your skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. Emphasize the value you bring to the organization and be prepared to make a compelling case for why you deserve a higher salary within the market range. Additionally, consider the total compensation package, including benefits like bonuses, stock options, and professional development opportunities, which can significantly enhance your overall compensation. Investing in skills development and seeking opportunities in high-paying industries can also boost your earning potential. Remaining flexible in terms of job requirements, location, and industry can open up more lucrative opportunities. Networking with professionals and staying informed about market trends will further empower you to negotiate effectively and maximize your salary potential as you embark on your career journey.
ScoreBusiness Intelligence DeveloperUS Average
Salary
7.2

Avg. Salary $92,540

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.0

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 29.85%

Black or African American 4.53%

Hispanic or Latino 8.29%

Unknown 4.83%

White 52.33%

Gender

female 24.38%

male 75.62%

Age - 38
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 - 38
Stress level
4.0

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a business intelligence developer?

Pros

  • High demand and job security

  • Attractive salary packages

  • Chance to work with cutting-edge technologies

  • Ability to make a significant impact on business decisions

  • Analytical and problem-solving challenges

Cons

  • High-pressure environment with tight deadlines

  • Constant need to keep up with evolving technologies and trends

  • Long hours and overtime work during critical project phases

  • Limited creativity in certain aspects of the job

  • Need for continuous learning and upskilling to stay relevant in the field

Business intelligence developer career paths

Key steps to become a business intelligence developer

  1. Explore business intelligence developer education requirements

    Most common business intelligence developer degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.0 %

    Master's

    23.1 %

    Associate

    4.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific business intelligence developer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Power Bi11.59%
    Business Intelligence9.54%
    Analytics8.46%
    Dashboards8.43%
    ETL5.78%
  3. Complete relevant business intelligence developer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New business intelligence developers 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 intelligence developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real business intelligence developer resumes.
  4. Research business intelligence developer duties and responsibilities

    • Used TFS for managing versions of the code with in the development team.
    • Develop VBA base application to automate testing of report output and test scenarios.
    • Manage security privileges for each subject area and dashboards according to user requirements.
    • Develop various T-SQL store procedures, triggers, views, and adding/changing tables for data extraction, data loads and transformations.
  5. Prepare your business intelligence developer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your business intelligence developer 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 intelligence developer 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 intelligence developer resume templates

    Build a professional business intelligence developer 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 intelligence developer resume.
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
    Business Intelligence Developer Resume
  6. Apply for business intelligence developer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a business intelligence developer 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 intelligence developer job

Zippi

Are you a business intelligence developer?

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Average business intelligence developer salary

The average business intelligence developer salary in the United States is $92,540 per year or $44 per hour. Business intelligence developer salaries range between $70,000 and $121,000 per year.

Average business intelligence developer salary
$92,540 Yearly
$44.49 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do business intelligence developers rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Business intelligence developer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

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


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

The challenges and opportunities offered by the role where I get to learn & apply new skills.

Cons

Mostly a sitting job with no opportunity to travel and interact with the business.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Relationships with good people who are fully invested in solving problems.


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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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