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The differences between intelligence specialists and competitive 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 competitive intelligence analyst. Additionally, an intelligence specialist has an average salary of $78,453, which is higher than the $70,693 average annual salary of a competitive intelligence analyst.
The top three skills for an intelligence specialist include DOD, security clearance and TS/SCI. The most important skills for a competitive intelligence analyst are pricing strategy, market research, and powerpoint.
| Intelligence Specialist | Competitive Intelligence Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $78,453 | $70,693 |
| Hourly rate | $37.72 | $33.99 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 10,759 | 12,571 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
A competitive intelligence analyst specializes in recommending solutions to optimize a company's sales performance and business plans. They conduct extensive research and analysis to identify market trends, new business opportunities, client needs, and competitor strategies. Using their research findings, they produce and recommend new business plans and policies to help companies reach their short and long-term goals. Furthermore, as a competitive intelligence analyst, it is essential to develop solutions and suggest actions while adhering to the company's standards and regulations.
Intelligence specialists and competitive intelligence analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intelligence Specialist | Competitive Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average salary | $78,453 | $70,693 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $111,000 | Between $51,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Xoom |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Real Estate |
There are a few differences between an intelligence specialist and a competitive intelligence analyst in terms of educational background:
| Intelligence Specialist | Competitive Intelligence Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | York College of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between intelligence specialists' and competitive intelligence analysts' demographics:
| Intelligence Specialist | Competitive Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 2.9% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |