Posted on December 1st, 2025 in Blog, Business

Business Intelligence Analyst Career Path

Every day, humans and devices generate hundreds of millions of terabytes of data. Industries from logistics to healthcare rely on large volumes of information that must be analyzed to be useful, often flooding businesses with data. The growing divide between data generation and comprehension is why business intelligence (BI) analysts have become essential to modern-day company operations.

Professionals who have the background and education to transform raw information into actionable insights can drive strategy, improve performance, and support the long-term growth of their organizations. The field now represents one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich career paths for today’s college and university graduates. If you’re wondering what a business intelligence analyst does, consider the steps needed to launch a career in this exciting and growing career field.

How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst

A career as a business intelligence analyst starts with developing a foundation that combines technical skills, business awareness, and the ability to interpret complex data. Employers aren’t just looking for people who can run reports. They want professionals who understand how data shapes decision-making.

The path to becoming a business intelligence analyst requires the right educational background, experience, and certifications.

Education

Most business intelligence analysts begin with a bachelor’s degree that builds both analytical and business-focused skills. Degrees in business administration, information systems, data analytics, or computer science all provide a strong foundation in statistics, data modeling, and organizational processes.

A strong starting point for business intelligence analysts is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration, which helps students build the quantitative, strategic, and communication skills that BI work demands. A graduate degree such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in business intelligence can accelerate a career in data analytics.

Experience

Practical experience is essential to standing out in the BI job market. Entry points often include roles in reporting, operations, data management, or business analysis, where professionals learn how organizations collect, store, and use data.

Internships, class projects, and hands-on coursework that involve real datasets provide early exposure to tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Structured Query Language (SQL), and Microsoft Excel. Employers value candidates who understand business workflows and have the experience needed to connect data insights to real operational challenges.

Professional Certifications

While not always required, certifications demonstrate technical expertise and show employers that candidates have invested effort in developing the specialized skills to thrive in the BI field. Some popular options include the following:

Microsoft certified: Power BI data analyst associate
Certified business intelligence professional
Certified Tableau desktop foundations

These certifications, which usually require candidates to pass an exam, validate skills such as dashboard creation, advanced reporting, SQL querying, and data visualization.

Essential Skills

Successful business intelligence analysts rely on a combination of technical skills and strategic thinking. On the technical side, proficiency with data visualization tools, such as Microsoft Power BI and Tableau, is crucial, along with strong skills in SQL, Excel, and basic data modeling.

Analysts must be able to clean, organize, and interpret large datasets while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. Equally important are the soft skills that help BI professionals communicate insights effectively. These professionals work in diverse environments and rely on strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations.

Clear written and oral communication ensures that stakeholders understand what data means for day-to-day operations and long-term strategy. Together, these skills create a solid foundation for success in the BI field.

Salary and Job Growth for Business Intelligence Analysts

Business intelligence analysts in the United States earned a median annual salary of about $78,400 as of October 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $107,000, according to salary data from Payscale. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that positions in market research analysis, including BI analysts, are projected to increase by 7% between 2024 and 2034.

Take the Next Step Toward a Career in Business Intelligence

If you’re preparing for a future in business intelligence, Warner Pacific University Online’s accelerated BA in Business Administration gives you the foundation that employers expect. Designed specifically for working adults, the program offers online and hybrid flexible (HyFlex) formats, rolling monthly start dates, and one intensive course every five weeks.

WPU Online also offers an accelerated MBA for professionals who want to strengthen their leadership, strategic decision-making, and cross-functional management skills. Available in both online and HyFlex formats with rolling monthly start dates and six-week courses, the program is designed for working adults who want to advance their careers without compromising their professional or personal responsibilities.

Find out how WPU’s purpose-driven approach to business education can help you start a meaningful career in BI.

Sources:
Exploding Topics, “Amount of Data Created Daily (2025)”
DesignRush, “How Much Data Is Created Every Day: Key Insights & Trends”
Google, Google Data Analytics Certificate
Microsoft, Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Microsoft, What Is Power BI?
Payscale, Average Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst Salary
Tableau, Get Tableau Certified
TDWI, Get Certified With TDWI
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business and Financial Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Market Research Analysts