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The differences between intelligence specialists and business intelligence analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an intelligence specialist and a business intelligence analyst. Additionally, a business intelligence analyst has an average salary of $80,249, which is higher than the $78,453 average annual salary of an intelligence specialist.
The top three skills for an intelligence specialist include DOD, security clearance and TS/SCI. The most important skills for a business intelligence analyst are business intelligence, analytics, and power bi.
| Intelligence Specialist | Business Intelligence Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $78,453 | $80,249 |
| Hourly rate | $37.72 | $38.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 10,759 | 124,916 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An intelligence specialist is responsible for collecting and validating information for different operational functions to ensure its authenticity and accuracy before dissemination to the public and officials. Intelligence specialists analyze intelligence information and provide strategic recommendations to improve data gathering processes and distribution. They also maintain the security of reports on the database, working with technology professionals to develop security solutions to prevent unauthorized access and detail leaks until further notice of publicizing the information.
The primary job of business intelligence (BI) analysts is to analyze data and identify areas of improvement for an organization. These professionals are responsible for identifying trends that may help managers, executives, and other departments make better decisions to improve company processes and modernization. Other duties include identifying areas of revenue loss and ways to maximize profit, analyzing competitors' use of BI, and implementing new methodologies and data analysis. This role is particularly analytical and needs a balance of communication, information technology, and problem-solving skills.
Intelligence specialists and business intelligence analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intelligence Specialist | Business Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average salary | $78,453 | $80,249 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $111,000 | Between $59,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an intelligence specialist and a business intelligence analyst in terms of educational background:
| Intelligence Specialist | Business Intelligence Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | York College of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between intelligence specialists' and business intelligence analysts' demographics:
| Intelligence Specialist | Business Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 65.5% Female, 34.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |