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What is a reporting analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
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A reporting analyst specializes in analyzing data and creating reports based on the findings. Their primary duties include collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from various sources to create reports. They use software tools and techniques to create visual and written reports that help businesses make informed decisions. Reporting analysts use analytical skills to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement. They work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and provide the necessary insights.

What general advice would you give to a reporting 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.
ScoreReporting AnalystUS Average
Salary
5.7

Avg. Salary $73,478

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 14.41%

Black or African American 7.48%

Hispanic or Latino 8.48%

Unknown 4.45%

White 65.02%

Gender

female 45.87%

male 54.13%

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 reporting analyst?

Pros

  • Ability to identify trends and insights

  • Strong demand for reporting analysts

  • Room for career growth and advancement

  • Strong earning potential

  • Opportunity to work remotely or on a flexible schedule

Cons

  • Heavy workload and long hours at times

  • Can involve repetitive tasks

  • Limited creativity in the job role

  • Possibility of job automation in the future

  • Can be isolated work, with limited social interaction

Reporting analyst career paths

Key steps to become a reporting analyst

  1. Explore reporting analyst education requirements

    Most common reporting analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.9 %

    Master's

    14.2 %

    Associate

    10.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific reporting analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Power Bi9.32%
    Data Analysis8.30%
    Dashboards7.77%
    BI5.87%
    Analyze Data5.55%
  3. Complete relevant reporting analyst training and internships

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

    • Accomplish in SOX compliance & internal audit & testing, business process documentation and supervising employee.
    • Help manage SOX program for organization including control development.
    • Manage data extractions to review attrition rates, management communication and annual review process through demographics study.
    • Lead development of MicroStrategy base reporting system that clearly highlight previously unclear revenue from different customer segments.
  5. Prepare your reporting analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your reporting 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 reporting 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 reporting analyst resume templates

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

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

Zippi

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Average reporting analyst salary

The average reporting analyst salary in the United States is $73,478 per year or $35 per hour. Reporting analyst salaries range between $56,000 and $95,000 per year.

Average reporting analyst salary
$73,478 Yearly
$35.33 hourly

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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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