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.
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.
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.
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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![[Featured image] A business analyst stands in an office hallway holding a laptop computer as they prepare for a meeting.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2Ryrw0DOjSsU1LdasXCkil/032bec22303d79aaaf51bf6eda3dd44f/GettyImages-1217242446-used-Google.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Woman in interview](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2snDrbmQOLCKyAW30BHEU9/7417c2ba1038995b67323b70b8a3c288/GettyImages-1273390394.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two analysts discuss charts on a whiteboard.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/22eAeanNyvUXeam0Vp1hU9/8b78610a72f20a9be215ff0a8cf941dd/GettyImages-551986071.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two coworkers look at a desktop computer display.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2YPaIR6UQz4wUZUwRHe8sY/f2f4a489d995b9c4db0095b75c2b66c0/Stocksy_txpe0666ad4RLr200_Large_2772942.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: IT Business Analyst, working at a desktop computer, evaluating the company's current technology.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1iR3izwqxhutloa99XeX8C/641d59ca0dc9de9d6229a398022a5f70/GettyImages-980654204_IT_project_management__8_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: Team of financial analysts analyzing the organization's financial processes to help improve its profitability.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3IZkWRRM9Lb2yFRo4brbF1/9830ee79bc90e0fc0a31a7f0f792f263/GettyImages-598255892.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A person in a dark blue shirt sits facing a trio of computer monitors in a large open-office space.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1rScxfq9zBJZoWBpq0gk8Z/c1d9330cacbb4a488d6d574b35a47a59/Coursera_Wesley_Megan_Miller_0262.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] Supply Chain Analyst in an orange shirt sits at a laptop computer](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6aLU4Aq81z1We9egQzELlt/6be782812c537d0337cf31857fbf35e6/GettyImages-1180594930.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A female business analyst, wearing a gray short sleeve shirt, is standing in front of her desk, holding a laptop. The desk has a desktop computer and other supplies on it.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/RPLIpglkrd3GFUgIlxE1z/c14c978b15947a3da5050dd278ba4db0/GettyImages-1272762023.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A male, wearing a gray sports jacket and white shirt, is working on his laptop and conferring with a co-worker in his office.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4k1t2RglVg9hZcSuhHdRIM/661420e2136f5e3227eb2ca5c0191018/GettyImages-1358280227.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A man wearing a blue sweater, and glasses collecting and analyzing data sitting in front of his computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1JfczNH7EqprEjPf6YbvMX/505258b5283c38e4fa8ae18b04181d2c/GettyImages-1354692508.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A team of business data analysts meet and discuss visualizations as they prepare to share their findings with key stakeholders.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1NHIOGo2q5hOkbYqIfgade/0bc24bd561089fedec9088532c00ddfb/Business-professionals-discussing-over-a-graph-1127726411_8477x5651.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A female business analyst interviews a female employee. Both have their laptops in front of them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5vfQELyaDvsspcLpsigHEy/ec1810ecd32ac851a47d952a4f5d1e5d/dat_analyst_vs_business_analyst.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
