Business analyst
Also known as: standardisation expert, business strategy analyst, standardization expert, business development analyst, business strategy consultant, management consultant
About this occupation
Business analysts research and understand the strategic position of businesses and companies in relation to their markets and their stakeholders. They analyse and present their views on how the company, from many perspectives, can improve its strategic position and internal corporate structure. They assess needs for change, communication methods, technology, IT tools, new standards and certifications.
Essential skills and knowledge
- conduct quantitative research
- identify undetected organisational needs
- market research
- perform business analysis
- risk management
- scientific research methodology
- align efforts towards business development
- analyse external factors of companies
- liaise with managers
- analyse internal factors of companies
- analyse financial performance of a company
- conduct qualitative research
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Business Intelligence Analysts (O*NET 15-2051.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
- Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
- Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
- Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.
- Identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.
- Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Investigative, Enterprising
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Writing
US median pay: US$120,230 a year (2025), 262,440 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.3)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Data Scientists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Statistical Assistants
- Marketing Managers
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Operations Research Analysts
- Document Management Specialists
- Clinical Data Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.