How To Become A Sigint Analyst: What It Is and Career Path

What is a sigint analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Mark Kulp Professor

In a Special Operations Task Force, a SIGINT (signals intelligence) analyst is responsible for inspecting foreign communications, compiling their observations on combat and tactical intelligence; and then presenting this information to the agency. Their duties include analyzing intercepted messages, identifying operational patterns, and letting commanders know of suspicious activity so that they can conduct prompt responses.

SIGINT analysts use a wide variety of advanced tools to perform their job duties, which means that this job entails a high level of technical knowledge and skills. They are also typically responsible for maintaining their task force's database, organizing relevant data, and providing input on improving intelligence processes.

Most SIGINT analysts have a bachelor's degree in business, intelligence operations, criminal justice, and other relevant majors. They also have extensive experience in intelligence technology, high levels of technical skills, and abundant knowledge of criminal justice and their agency's software. A SIGINT analyst makes around $56,000 a year on average. Job opportunities are usually found in the military sector, but a SIGINT analyst can find plenty of open positions in companies that work for law enforcement agencies as well.

What general advice would you give to a sigint analyst?

Dr. Mark Kulp Professor

Professor, University of New Orleans

Have as much practical, hands-on experience in the field as possible and be sure that your CV reflects your desire to learn and excel within the field. Also demonstrate that you are team player and willing and able to work under stressful conditions when projects need to be completed and work in the midst of others with whom you may not necessarily agree.

ScoreSigint AnalystUS Average

Salary

5.3

Avg. Salary $68,140

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 2.84%

Black or African American 12.17%

Hispanic or Latino 16.87%

Unknown 5.00%

White 62.45%

Gender

female 19.69%

male 80.31%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a sigint analyst

Explore sigint analyst education requirements

Most common sigint analyst degrees

Bachelor's

55.2 %

Associate

26.9 %

High School Diploma

7.5 %

Start to develop specific sigint analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Collection Management	8.87%
DOD	8.39%
CI	6.27%
RFI	5.64%
ISR	5.44%

Complete relevant sigint analyst training and internships

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

Research sigint analyst duties and responsibilities

Report discrepancies in collection requirements, which lead to improve coverage and production of intelligence through the AOR.
Manage and coordinate all tactical purchasing activities for assign commodities from existing and new suppliers.
Provide subject matter expertise to reestablish training consistent with the company METL, ensuring compliance with all DoD and NSA policies.
Coordinate with ISR platforms for target analysis and exploitation.

Get sigint analyst experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a sigint analyst. The most common roles before becoming a sigint analyst include analyst, intelligence analyst team lead and signal intelligence analyst.

Prepare your sigint analyst resume

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

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