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What is a planning analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
introduction image

A planning analyst develops and implements plans for achieving business goals. They use data analysis and forecasting to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Planning analysts work with other departments to ensure that plans align with company objectives and budget constraints. A planning analyst needs strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information. They typically hold a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field.

What general advice would you give to a planning analyst?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.Erik Johnson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Economics gives you a set of tools to analyze a variety of policy and business problems. However, determining which tools to apply in which situation requires that you learn the industry, you are working from top to bottom. When you begin a new job in a new field, be sure to do everything you can to understand how the organization and the industry work to understand the primary incentives that everyone faces. One right way to do this is to make as many connections within the company you are working for as possible, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities within the company and how they can help you learn more. Moreover, do your best to ensure that a significant portion of your job involves some creative endeavors, such as economic modeling or building tools for yourself or others to use. As computing power continues to become cheaper, and artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, relatively repetitive tasks become more comfortable and easier to automate. Therefore, you will have less job security. Creative tasks, such as modeling and tool building, are difficult to automate and are more likely to provide you with more satisfaction.
ScorePlanning AnalystUS Average
Salary
5.3

Avg. Salary $68,137

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 12.61%

Black or African American 8.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.88%

Unknown 4.49%

White 65.80%

Gender

female 46.56%

male 53.44%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a planning analyst?

Pros

  • High level of responsibility

  • Room for growth and advancement

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Opportunities for flexible scheduling

  • Exposure to different industries and sectors

Cons

  • Long hours during peak periods

  • Can be stressful due to the constant need to meet targets and goals

  • Work can be repetitive or monotonous at times

  • Risk of burnout due to heavy workload and high expectations

  • May require occasional travel or irregular work hours

Planning analyst career paths

Key steps to become a planning analyst

  1. Explore planning analyst education requirements

    Most common planning analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.7 %

    Master's

    14.7 %

    Associate

    9.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific planning analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management7.99%
    Customer Service6.81%
    Data Analysis6.33%
    Logistics5.76%
    Strong Analytical5.48%
  3. Complete relevant planning analyst training and internships

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

    • Manage 160 footwear SKUs across 3700 stores to ensure optimal inventory depths during peak time frames.
    • Reduce work in process inventory by use of KANBAN system which also lead to improve customer service.
    • Manage suppliers (KPI's) to deliver target cost, service and quality levels in each operating center.
    • Manage cross-functional team which successfully create a manual for ISO 9000 certification and develop a training program for new hires.
  5. Prepare your planning analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your planning analyst 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 planning analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable planning analyst resume templates

    Build a professional planning analyst 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 planning analyst resume.
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  6. Apply for planning analyst jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a planning analyst 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 planning analyst job

Zippi

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Average planning analyst salary

The average planning analyst salary in the United States is $68,137 per year or $33 per hour. Planning analyst salaries range between $49,000 and $93,000 per year.

Average planning analyst salary
$68,137 Yearly
$32.76 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do planning analysts rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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3 stars

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Planning analyst reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

Engagements with customers and understanding their needs, enabling business to stock what moves only

Cons

Dealing with customers when shipping lines have delayed their planned consignment


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

we put a lot of hours, we earn our salaries from our eyes so salary is not up to what we do. but i do it because i love this job.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Cons

Sitting for long periods of time.


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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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