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What Is a Business Analyst? 2025 Career Guide
Business analysts help maximize a business's effectiveness through data-driven decisions. Learn about what business analysts do and what it takes to become one.
February 19, 2021
Article
Business analysts use data to identify ways that businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or strengthen processes. Learn how to get started in this growing career path.
Grow key business analysis skills
University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Human Resource Strategy, Financial Data, Marketing Analytics, Analytics, Talent Management, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Peer Review, Business Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Customer Insights, Workforce Planning, Demand Planning
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Project Management Life Cycle, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Business Analysis, Project Management
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Requirements Elicitation, Business Process Modeling, Business Analysis, Data Presentation, Process Analysis, Resource Allocation, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Stakeholder Management, Process Optimization, Business Requirements, Requirements Management, Data Modeling, Risk Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Analysis
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
A business analyst uses data to discover new business insights for a company. They typically focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness, and may work across all areas of business, including IT processes, organizational structure, or supply chain management.
At the entry-level, a business analyst may participate in team efforts to identify and prioritize an organization’s functional and technical needs, use SQL and spreadsheet software to conduct data analysis, and create data visualizations and financial models in order to address crucial business questions.
Similar and adjacent roles include IT business analysts, data analysts, business data analysts, supply chain analysts, and business intelligence analysts.
Learn more about entry-level careers in business analysis:
The average base salary for a business analyst with 0-1 years of work experience is $69,847 in the US as of February 2024, according to Glassdoor*. With 1-3 years of experience, the average salary increases to $77,467, and across all years of experience, the average salary is $87,692.
*Glassdoor. “Business Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/business-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm.” Accessed February 2, 2024.
Some skills to include on a business analyst resume are data analysis (such as cleaning, sorting, and visualizing data, programming languages like SQL, Python, or R, and programs like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and Tableau), business strategy, financial analysis, and problem-solving.
To become a business analyst, first sharpen your business analysis skills. Gain a strong understanding of data analysis and business strategy. It may help to take a course, earn a certificate, or earn a degree in business or data analysis. Then, start searching for entry-level roles in an accounting, finance, or business setting. Try searching for job titles like “junior business analyst” or “entry-level business analyst.” Check out our entry-level job guide for more job search tips.
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