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What is a business intelligence specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Jennifer Coupland

In this current time, companies must either adapt to the fast-paced world or go extinct. Companies should be flexible enough to pivot to a better direction if the current path they are taking will not work. Management teams often make decisions regarding these changes. However, they might not have the answer all the time. This is why business intelligence specialists are important.

Business intelligence specialists work on recommendations to improve the business. They craft these recommendations based on company performance, market trends, and industry context. They consult with experts on the best ways to innovate and improve services or products. Business intelligence specialists are expected to have a network of experts in the industry. As such, they must join networking activities within the industry to ensure that they have the latest updates on trends.

If you like finding solutions to challenges, this could be a great career for you. This position requires great analytical skills and problem-solving skills. In addition, prospective candidates need to have an approachable demeanor so that people would like to work with them.

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

Jennifer Coupland

Clinical Professor of Marketing, Pennsylvania State University

You are no longer in college surrounded by people of a similar age. You may be in a company with people of different generations who have different ways of communicating, points of reference, work styles, experience levels, etc. Get to know the people you work with on an individual level. Mutual understanding and respect goes a long way.
ScoreBusiness Intelligence SpecialistUS Average
Salary
7.1

Avg. Salary $91,250

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.0

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 34.08%

male 65.92%

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
5.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Business intelligence specialist career paths

Key steps to become a business intelligence specialist

  1. Explore business intelligence specialist education requirements

    Most common business intelligence specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.8 %

    Master's

    23.0 %

    Associate

    5.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific business intelligence specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Power Bi14.97%
    Analytics12.58%
    Tableau11.99%
    Visualization5.97%
    Data Analysis3.95%
  3. Complete relevant business intelligence specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New business intelligence specialists 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 specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real business intelligence specialist resumes.
  4. Research business intelligence specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Coordinate and manage Cognos customers from a select group of high revenue contribution, establishing exceptional customer relationships.
    • Adapt existing Java base data load application for Netezza database thus making first generation of Netezza data warehouse operational.
    • Work on overall functionality of the projects including internal logic, data integration and internal build process development using T-SQL.
    • Used T-SQL to query sales, impression, customer, and email databases, to provide analysis for senior management.
  5. Prepare your business intelligence specialist resume

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

    Build a professional business intelligence specialist 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 specialist resume.
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Business Intelligence Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for business intelligence specialist jobs

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

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Average business intelligence specialist salary

The average business intelligence specialist salary in the United States is $91,250 per year or $44 per hour. Business intelligence specialist salaries range between $68,000 and $121,000 per year.

Average business intelligence specialist salary
$91,250 Yearly
$43.87 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do business intelligence specialists rate their job?

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Business intelligence specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

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


profile
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.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

It allows to the employees using their analytical skill

Cons

Too much detail oriented


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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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