BI analysts are vital to improving company performance and workflow. To succeed in this impactful role, candidates must have the right background and skill set. From completing a bachelor's degree program in business analytics to earning BI certifications, discover how to best prepare for a high-demand, high-earning career as a business intelligence analyst, as well as what they do, their salary range and their career outlook. 

What Is a Business Intelligence Analyst? 

Business intelligence analysts collect and analyze corporate data to make inferences about company productivity, sales, workplace culture and other elements of operations. They also work with various stakeholders to create strategic plans that improve workflow. 

Business Intelligence Analyst Responsibilities 

BI analyst job descriptions typically include a variation of the following tasks: 

• Review and validate customer data 

• Manage analytics and metrics  

• Confirm data security and compliance with industry regulations 

• Create projections for company growth based on existing data and trends 

• Present comprehensive visual data to executive leadership 

• Collaborate on improvement plans for business strategies and processes 

Business Intelligence Analyst Qualifications 

How does a person pursue a career as a business intelligence analyst? A few educational and professional qualifications can help candidates stand out to employers, and additional BI and analysis certifications can demonstrate expertise.  

Education 

Many business intelligence analyst positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, marketing or a related field. A specialized degree in business analytics, data science or business intelligence can benefit students who plan to become BI analysts, as these programs focus directly on applicable information and skills for the role.  

Experience 

CompTIA reports that 42 percent of business intelligence analyst job listings require zero to five years of experience. Internships are a great opportunity for students or new graduates to gain experience and network in the field. Many different career paths are available for graduates on their journey to becoming a BI analyst. Common entry-level roles include the following: 

• Business analyst 

• Information technology (IT) support specialist 

• Accountant 

• Data analyst 

• Data scientist 

• Marketing analyst 

Documenting projects and curating a professional portfolio of experience with data visualization and applied problem-solving are great ways for individuals pursuing careers in business intelligence to showcase their skills to prospective employers.  

Additional Certification Opportunities 

To show mastery of various BI analyst skills, graduates may consider earning optional professional certifications. The following certifications demonstrate expertise in data analysis, mining, manipulating and more: 

• CompTIA Data+: This data analytics certification focuses on visualizing and reporting data, as well as applying basic statistical methods, and teaches early-career professionals how to make data-driven business decisions. 

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: This certification confirms an individual’s data visualization and modeling skills with Power BI, a data visualization platform.  

• Google Business Intelligence Certificate: This certificate covers various BI tools and platforms and allows students to demonstrate their skills through multiple assessments and hands-on projects. 

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary and Job Outlook 

The median annual salary for BI analysts was approximately $78,000 in August 2025, according to Payscale. The top 10 percent earned more than $107,000. Factors such as education, experience and certifications can all affect salaries. 

Positions for BI analysts are expected to increase by 20 percent between 2023 and 2028, according to CompTIA. This demand is due to the competitive market and the desire to improve workplace efficiency and revenue.  

Work Toward a Business Intelligence Analyst Career at SEMO Online 

Students are drawn to careers in business intelligence for the varied responsibilities, competitive salary and promising job outlook. To begin the path to becoming a BI analyst, students should pursue the appropriate education and training.  

The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Business Analytics program at SEMO Online equips graduates with the skills necessary to succeed as a BI analyst. Students learn how to responsibly use data to make predictions that positively impact business decision-making.  

Core business administration courses such as Business Policy and Strategy and Principles of Management offer students an understanding of organizational operations, while the Business Analytics track teaches them how to improve the efficiency of those operations with specialized courses such as Data Mining and Quantitative Decision Models. You’ll learn how to mine and visualize data, use machine learning and draw conclusions from data analysis. 

The program’s online structure lets students earn a degree at a flexible pace, balancing education with other responsibilities. Find out how SEMO Online can help you begin a rewarding new career today.