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Job outlook for strategic business analysts in the United States
Strategic business analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected strategic business analyst job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 108,400 new jobs for strategic business analysts are projected over the next decade.
Strategic business analyst salaries have increased 8% for strategic business analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,669 strategic business analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 134,684 active strategic business analyst job openings in the US.
The average strategic business analyst salary is $83,070.
Are strategic business analyst jobs in demand?
Strategic business analyst job and salary trends over time
Strategic business analyst jobs over time
Strategic business analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,669 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,447 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,331 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,132 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,930 | 0.00% |
Average strategic business analyst salary over time
Strategic business analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83,070 | $39.94 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $80,796 | $38.84 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $79,232 | $38.09 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $78,133 | $37.56 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $77,072 | $37.05 | +0.0% |
Strategic business analyst jobs by state
Most common states for strategic business analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 931 | 134% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 281 | 29% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,356 | 28% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,544 | 28% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,701 | 25% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 478 | 25% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 175 | 24% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 135 | 23% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 234 | 22% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 191 | 22% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,253 | 21% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 601 | 21% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 820 | 20% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 621 | 20% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 212 | 20% |
| 16 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,053 | 18% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,131 | 18% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 999 | 18% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 526 | 18% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,014 | 17% |
Most common cities for strategic business analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenexa | 2 | 4% | $72,789 |
| 2 | Carmel | 1 | 1% | $73,605 |
| 3 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $81,271 |
| 4 | Richardson | 1 | 1% | $79,474 |
| 5 | Baltimore | 3 | 0% | $88,069 |
| 6 | Chula Vista | 1 | 0% | $83,896 |
| 7 | New York | 1 | 0% | $104,448 |
| 8 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $116,222 |
Strategic Business Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of strategic business analyst experts
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of Illinois at Chicago
Siena College
Carleton College
Washington and Lee University
The University of the South
Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
Elizabethtown College
Indiana University Bloomington
Oklahoma State University
Lincoln University
Framingham State University
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Swagata Banerjee PhD: Digital literacy: As technology continues to evolve, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will become increasingly essential. Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn new skills and adapt to changing circumstances will be crucial in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Data literacy: Understanding and analyzing data will become more important for making informed decisions and optimizing strategies. Interdisciplinary skills: The ability to work across different disciplines and collaborate effectively with diverse teams will be highly valued. Emotional intelligence: Soft skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork will continue to be in demand as workplaces become more interconnected and dynamic.
What will help Strategic Business Analysts increase their earning potential?
David Hart: This field has become more valuable ever since the supply chain interruption due to Covid. The analyst is challenged every day with supply chain issues and deployment of the right resources to their prospective areas. Every day can be a new challenge so the work is rarely mundane.
Dany Doueiri
ProfessorWhat will help Strategic Business Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dany Doueiri: Ability to adapt to new realities, creativity, ethics, innovation, and resilience to face new realities.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Roth: I recommend that students start by identifying a specific skill in demand within your field, such as data analysis or social media marketing, and focus on developing expertise in that area. Research salary ranges and living costs in particular areas where you’re interested in working to ensure your compensation aligns with the local market. Always negotiate a salary and consider other aspects of the offer, such as funds for continuing education, technology and more. Continuing to network and establish demand for your services is essential; attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals in your field. Never miss an opportunity to reach out to and check in with your professional contacts. Pursue additional learning opportunities and education, such as certifications or advanced degrees, to provide a competitive advantage and increase your earning potential over time.
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Bradley Andrew Ph.D.: So-called soft skills are still in demand by employers, based on recent surveys, because a smaller percentage of graduates possess them. These include:
Showing up and on time;
Having a strong work ethic;
Critical thinking skills
Social skills, including the ability to get along well with people, motivate and encourage them, and leadership skills. Also be able to schmooze with clients over dinner or drinks, or just in your office. A personal touch and connection is something software can’t provide.
Creativity—Apple products, for example, appeal to many people because of their combination of form and function.
The ability to work AI in order to increase one’s productivity will become more important over the next 5 years.
What will help Strategic Business Analysts increase their earning potential?
Bradley Andrew Ph.D.: Once you have your first job, ask about or determine the 20% of your supervisor’s job that they hate and start doing that for them. They will love you for it and it will quickly get you recognition. You’ll also be well on your way to learning your boss’s job. Continue doing this as you progress in your career (Kudos to Theo Epstein, former GM for the Red Sox, for this recommendation)
No matter the task you’re given, do it to the absolute best of your abilities. In the professional world, you may often be given menial tasks or tasks that you don’t believe are part of your job description. Doing those tasks to the absolute best of your ability leads to increased trust, recognition and responsibility and will put you “above class.” If asked, the coffee you bring should be the best your boss has ever had. You never know who’s watching.
Don’t expect credit and don’t ask for credit when things go right; give the credit to others.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Zhu Mao: Specifically in the next 3-5 years, I would say it is the critical thinking and problem solving capability in interdisciplinary areas. Employers will increasingly value individuals who can think critically, analyze complex situations, and propose effective solutions in the cutting edge of multiple disciplines, especially those demonstrating adaptability and resilience in the era of data science.
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Medical Illustration And Informatics
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Spyros Kitsiou Ph.D.: In terms of hard skills: Data analytics, Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, Mobile health informatics. In terms of soft skills: Problem-solving, Motivation and drive driven by curiosity, Communication skills.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sunita Goel PhD: Great. Will send you the responses soon. Please let me know the latest deadline by which you need them.
What will help Strategic Business Analysts increase their earning potential?
Sunita Goel PhD: Great. Will send you the responses soon. Please let me know the latest deadline by which you need them.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Michael Hemesath President Emeritus: Obviously one big question for the future is the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. AI, like any new technology, can be a substitute for human labor or a complement to enhance the productivity of workers. Every young person should be thinking about the future direction of their field and asking what tasks could eventually be done by AI, what tasks will be enhanced by AI but still require human input, and what tasks are unlikely to be done by AI. With this framework in mind, young people should naturally gravitate toward the latter two types of tasks and invest in the skills required. For example, if customer service or group projects or tasks requiring emotional intelligence appear to be less likely to be done by AI, Gen Z should be considering how to improve skills in such areas and seek positions in which those skills are required. It can certainly be hard to know exactly what direction the professional world will be moving, but it is not hard to predict that change will be an inevitable part of Gen Z's professional life, in ways that were less true for earlier generations. Thinking strategically and being proactive can allow young people to use these changes to their professional advantage.
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Michelle Cowan Ph.D.: Business analyst jobs are quite varied, so it is key to review job descriptions carefully before applying. "Business analyst" means very different things, depending on the organization or department. That said, at the most basic level, business analysts must understand the human, environmental, and technological factors that contribute to key business outcomes. They have to interpret data, interview people, review financials, and observe processes so that they can make informed recommendations about how to improve business practices...
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Kim Jovanovich P.E.: Attached please see the responses to your interview questions. I hope this sheds some light on the questions you asked!
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Taylor: New technologies like generative AI are changing technology careers. New tools may reduce the need for some type of technical workers, but Business Analysts are generally focused on connecting data and technology to practical application. I believe that tools like generative AI will make the skills of a Business Analyst even more important in the future.
What will help Strategic Business Analysts increase their earning potential?
Joseph Taylor: The role of a Business Analyst can vary greatly from company to company, and even from department to department, so it is very important to look at the details of a particular position that you are applying for. One common factor from all Business Analyst is that they are generally expected to make sense of data, and to be effective communicators that can apply insights to real-world problems.
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Jeannine Berge: Be curious. The company knows you are new to business and the organization. They don’t expect you to know everything from day one and are expecting you to ask questions. This shows maturity and indicates that you are interested in completing your responsibilities as effectively as possible. It also shows you are willing to listen and learn. New graduates should understand how the company operates and makes money. It’s important to know how your role or department impacts and supports the organization’s priorities and bottom line. You will be able to better prioritize and communicate your value to the organization if you know how you are contributing to their overall mission and goals.
Domenic Tavella MBA
LecturerPennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Domenic Tavella MBA: If you're not heading straight into graduate school, securing a job in your field can provide invaluable experience. Practical know-how often outweighs simply adding another degree to your list of accomplishments. When searching for employment, try not to be too selective. Instead, focus on the perks the employer offers. While salary is important, it's essential to consider other benefits beyond monetary compensation. Does the employer provide tuition reimbursement? If they do, I highly recommend taking advantage of it sooner rather than later. If you're a traditional student graduating in your early twenties, chances are your commitments outside of work are minimal. Seize the opportunity to pursue a master's degree! I'm grateful I completed my graduate studies by the age of 27, before the responsibilities of marriage, children, and other professional obligations set in.
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Cristina Ciocirlan Ph.D.: Negotiate your first salary, even if you think you're not worth it. Women tend to take the first offer they're given, and they have a tendency to succumb to the 'impostor syndrome' more than men do, so this would, again, help reduce the confidence gap and ultimately the compensation gap. The first salary is the basis for every bonus, for every promotion, for every cost-of-living increase, so if you start with a low number, you will end up with a lower number compared to someone who does negotiate their first salary.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cristina Ciocirlan Ph.D.: Skills that involve analytics are permeating every business area, as evidenced by the now well-established fields such as finance analytics, marketing analytics, people analytics, accounting analytics. And then the eternal skills, such as critical thinking, communication skills, emotional intelligence, are going to become even more important in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI): skills like being able to design an effective prompt to get the desired AI outcome, being able to sort 'fact from fiction,' being able to analyze the AI output critically, look for patterns, and interpret the results.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Wayne FACHE, MBA, MS: While not healthcare specific, this one is similar to other areas in that after you refine your job search and resume skills, start doing your homework early, consider your areas of interest and investigate what roles are available at what compensation levels. Geography matters too, $60,000 a year will go a lot farther in Indiana versus other parts of the country. “How you can quickly improve salary is often achieved by instead focusing on how you can improve your own performance. Learn how to learn and the money will follow.
Bryan Edwards
Professor of ManagementOklahoma State University
Entrepreneurial And Small Business Operations
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bryan Edwards: 1. A colleague of mine says that the advice to “just be yourself” is a really bad recommendation. The better advice is to be strategic about your image. Decide in advance what behaviors you want to portray to others and how you build your reputation. I would never suggest that you fake it or misrepresent yourself; but, definitely focus on your strengths and positive attributes in your social media presence, interview answers, resume, and any other part of your identity on display in the public domain. People tend to judge you based on what they see and *not* what is hidden from view. Many people display behaviors consistent with their identity or personal interests (e.g., as a musician, nationality, parent). You are certainly welcome to display what you want but realize that people will form perceptions about you from what they see. For example, if you post or share social media consistent with your political beliefs then just realize that at least half of the people will likely judge you negatively (or in a way different than what you intend).
2. There is a lot of evidence that what you do in your 20’s defines you for the rest of your life because we make so many key important decisions during this decade about career, marriage, and retirement savings. Meg Jay wrote a book entitled “The Defining Decade” which sums this research. Therefore, I also advise graduating students to make decisions in the next few years that contributes positively to their career. Those first ten years of working life are critical to your advancement and whether you will have saved enough for retirement. Many people may delay earning wages to obtain a master’s degree, PhD, M.D., J.D. or some other specialized training and this is fine because it is an investment in your career. But this isn’t the only thing you can do to advance your career. There are plenty of opportunities to gain valuable experience. Think about what skills you want or need and don’t be afraid to take some risks such as moving to another city or country, joining a non-profit, or taking a lower-paying job that provide unique experiences. There is so much to know about business from recruitment, management, financials, operations, supply chain, customers and so much more. You won’t learn all of this in college so seek out positions that fill some of these knowledge and skill gaps.
Dr. Azunna Ahanotu
Associate Professor of Business AdministrationLincoln University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Dr. Azunna Ahanotu: Solving Business Problems. Critically performing Business Research, Market Research, Customer Research or Technical Organization Research Processes. These processes are mainly used by Upper Management for Strategic and Corporate Planning. Business Analysts are Critical thinking Report Writers. If the Data Entry is wrong, the Business Analyst most likely will run bad reports that most likely would lead to Strategic wrong decisions. Here you are looking at Knowledge of HardWare, Software like Oracle Database, MS Access.
What general advice would you give to a Strategic Business Analyst?
Erastus Ndinguri: A couple of ways to maximize your salary potential are;
Through first salary negotiation - By understanding the job market of your field, knowing what you can offer and preparing well for your salary negotiation you can positively maximize your first salary potential. This can affect your future earnings especially if you rise up the corporate ladder in the same organization.
Not settling, but continuing to learn- Learn a new skill that will help in building your resume. Network with colleagues in your organization and learn from them. Continuous learning and self-improvement create opportunities for higher earnings.
Embrace mentorships- Having a good seasoned colleague/mentor can open opportunities for higher earning. A mentor can help you prepare for a salary negotiation and also steer you to the right projects that lead to career advancements hence a higher salary.
What Strategic Business Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erastus Ndinguri: The advice I would give a graduate beginning their career is to take advantage of any learning opportunities available to them after graduation. With the onset of new technologies such as AI, we expect our work environment to be changed one way or another in the next few years. Embracing learning will keep them in the loop of coming changes as well as competitive and relevant in the job market.