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Business Analyst Training and Jobs

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Schools and Degrees

Formal programs in management and business consulting are available at quite a few colleges and universities. These generally lead to an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree in the subject. In order to take up the profession of a business analyst, one needs choose from basic courses in business, management, economics, marketing, statistics, accounting, engineering, or computer and information science. One can also opt for the Certified Management Consultant certification that is offered by the Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. However, to apply for this certification, one has to have the basic academic qualifications and experience, submit client reviews, and clear an examination on the IMC USA Code of Ethics. To maintain this certification, a business analyst has to take the exam once every 3 years. It is also necessary to regularly attend conferences in order to be able to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field of business analysis.

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Training and Education

Employees often obtain a bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience before starting. The percentage of business analysts with college degrees is 78%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 16% of the total. Some employees, about 7%, had a high-school education.

Job Overview

Business analysts primarily conduct an analysis of the business needs of their clients. They use this analysis to identify problems and suggest possible solutions to help the organization achieve its goals. As defined by the International Institute of Business Analysis, business analysts act as a liaison between stakeholders in order to gather, analyze, and validate the requirements necessary for bringing about changes in the business process, policies, and systems.

Job Requirements

Entry level positions for business analysts generally require a bachelors degree and relevant industry experience. However, requirements for educational qualifications vary greatly between jobs in the government and the private industry. For certain higher positions, employers prefer individuals with at least a masters degree in business administration or a similar discipline.

Individuals with additional years of experience can gain a significant edge in the job market. Having experience in the field that one wishes to consult in often translates into an added advantage. Apart from this, the Certified Management Consultant certification can also give a candidate a competitive advantage.

In addition to educational qualifications and work experience, a business analyst should be good at analyzing user, business, and technical requirements, and document the results from these analyses. Knowledge of business evaluation methodologies and System Development Life Cycle is necessary as well. Having basic problem solving and negotiation skills, an analytical approach, and the ability to meet deadlines is of great importance. It is also vital to develop qualities such as strategic thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to conceptualize.

Nature of Work

Business analysts can be self-employed or work for large international organizations. One can specialize in specific industries such as telecommunications or health care, or in a specific business function such as marketing, information systems, logistics, or human resources. Those working for the government can specialize in particular agencies. Business consultants basically deal with collecting, scrutinizing, and analyzing information and then making their recommendations to the managers. However, they may be required to work in teams.

Business analysts generally work at both their offices and at the clients sites. The offices are well-lit, spacious, and clean. Frequent travel and extended work hours are not uncommon in this profession. Also, tight schedules are almost a fixture, and this may result in physical and mental stress.

Area Job Conditions

Popular locations for business analysts include Tallahassee (Florida), Washington (District of Columbia), and Carson City (Nevada). Fewer are found in Wheeling (West Virginia), Lake Charles (Louisiana), and Elkhart (Indiana).

Workers looking for high salaries should look at Odessa (Texas), Naples (Florida), and Portsmouth (New Hampshire), and should avoid Monroe (Louisiana), Abilene (Texas), and Midland (Texas).

Part-Time and Self Employment

Part-time business analysts are 13% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 27%, work for themselves.

Career Videos

Career Video for Business Analysts

Business Analysts by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anniston $70,000 60 -65%
Auburn $92,000 50 -70%
Birmingham $81,000 1,220 -43%
Huntsville $96,000 1,640 +87%
Mobile $85,000 230 -69%
Montgomery $63,000 470 -31%
Tuscaloosa $66,000 120 -67%

Alaska

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anchorage $66,000 400 -43%
Fairbanks $74,000 90 -24%

Arkansas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Fayetteville $67,000 360 -58%
Fort Smith $62,000 160 -68%
Hot Springs $73,000 30 -78%
Little Rock $72,000 610 -59%
Pine Bluff $71,000 50 -55%

California

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bakersfield $77,000 760 -32%
Chico $63,000 190 -31%
El Centro $66,000 100 -47%
Fresno $72,000 650 -53%
Hanford $73,000 50 -60%
Los Angeles $90,000 17,910 +1%
Madera $71,000 50 -57%
Merced $76,000 80 -64%
Modesto $75,000 330 -49%
Napa $94,000 140 -43%
Oakland $99,000 4,810 +10%
Oxnard $74,000 1,240 -3%
Redding $64,000 120 -49%
Riverside $71,000 3,360 -36%
Sacramento $85,000 5,700 +50%
Salinas $88,000 510 -24%
San Diego $89,000 6,950 +21%
San Francisco $109,000 8,310 +91%
San Jose $106,000 5,330 +36%
San Luis Obispo $89,000 210 -44%
Santa Ana $96,000 7,720 +21%
Santa Barbara $85,000 590 -16%
Santa Cruz $99,000 380 +9%
Santa Rosa $89,000 570 -22%
Stockton $68,000 450 -49%
Vallejo $92,000 310 -37%
Visalia $60,000 260 -53%
Yuba City $64,000 80 -44%

Colorado

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Boulder $78,000 800 +25%
Colorado Springs $91,000 990 -8%
Denver $82,000 6,040 +10%
Fort Collins $84,000 420 -19%
Grand Junction $71,000 100 -55%
Greeley $71,000 70 -76%
Pueblo $64,000 40 -82%

Connecticut

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bridgeport $104,000 2,380 +29%
Danbury $79,000 230 -14%
Hartford $82,000 4,790 +91%
New Haven $83,000 680 -42%
Waterbury $79,000 70 -74%

Delaware

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Dover $65,000 150 -24%
Wilmington $85,000 1,510 +8%

District of Columbia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Washington $97,000 48,030 +349%

Florida

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Cape Coral $92,000 510 -38%
Deltona $75,000 420 -34%
Fort Lauderdale $68,000 2,920 -4%
Fort Walton Beach $82,000 580 +91%
Gainesville $71,000 350 -30%
Jacksonville $72,000 2,910 +11%
Lakeland $70,000 290 -64%
Miami $88,000 3,530 -18%
Naples 300 -35%
Ocala $91,000 160 -55%
Orlando $71,000 3,780 -15%
Palm Bay $83,000 1,190 +43%
Panama City $64,000 210 -23%
Pensacola $69,000 590 -5%
Port St Lucie $57,000 330 -33%
Punta Gorda $79,000 80 -45%
Sarasota $84,000 830 -21%
Sebastian $59,000 90 -50%
Tallahassee $58,000 4,830 +615%
Tampa $74,000 5,760 +15%
West Palm Beach $81,000 2,710 +20%

Georgia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albany $80,000 240 0%
Athens $85,000 80 -71%
Atlanta $102,000 24,900 +145%
Augusta $79,000 680 -22%
Brunswick $73,000 130 -15%
Columbus $69,000 510 +13%
Dalton 130 -51%
Gainesville $76,000 130 -53%
Hinesville $68,000 110 +144%
Macon $86,000 190 -48%
Rome $67,000 40 -69%
Savannah $96,000 440 -29%
Valdosta $56,000 50 -74%
Warner Robins $77,000 580 +181%

Hawaii

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Honolulu $77,000 1,530 -20%

Idaho

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Boise $59,000 910 -19%
Coeur Dalene $73,000 110 -43%
Idaho Falls $89,000 170 -4%
Pocatello $70,000 60 -45%

Illinois

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Champaign $72,000 190 -54%
Chicago $91,000 20,900 +26%
Danville $62,000 70 -28%
Peoria $78,000 430 -40%
Rockford $75,000 320 -45%
Springfield $75,000 390 -11%

Indiana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bloomington $89,000 170 -38%
Columbus $86,000 130 -8%
Elkhart $83,000 90 -80%
Evansville $92,000 300 -58%
Fort Wayne $64,000 370 -57%
Gary $74,000 270 -77%
Indianapolis $76,000 4,410 +12%
Kokomo $75,000 40 -72%
Lafayette $102,000 60 -80%
South Bend $100,000 230 -57%

Iowa

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Ames $81,000 60 -57%
Cedar Rapids $70,000 270 -53%
Davenport $78,000 470 -40%
Des Moines $68,000 2,460 +73%
Dubuque $61,000 70 -66%
Iowa City $62,000 160 -43%
Sioux City $90,000 90 -69%
Waterloo $66,000 160 -54%

Kansas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lawrence $93,000 70 -57%
Manhattan $67,000 120 -40%
Topeka $62,000 550 +22%
Wichita $75,000 740 -40%

Kentucky

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bowling Green $66,000 100 -54%
Elizabethtown $67,000 150 -11%
Louisville $76,000 1,890 -29%

Louisiana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Alexandria $62,000 60 -76%
Baton Rouge $81,000 680 -58%
Houma $58,000 100 -74%
Lafayette $77,000 140 -76%
Monroe $43,000 140 -54%
New Orleans $70,000 1,120 -51%
Shreveport $64,000 300 -60%

Maine

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bangor $62,000 100 -58%
Lewiston $78,000 60 -69%
Portland $70,000 650 -24%

Maryland

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Baltimore $94,000 8,440 +47%
Bethesda $89,000 7,340 +191%
Hagerstown $76,000 240 -39%
Salisbury $72,000 110 -47%

Massachusetts

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Barnstable Town $91,000 180 -55%
Boston $105,000 15,630 +104%
Brockton $79,000 160 -56%
Framingham $93,000 1,730 +153%
Haverhill $113,000 250 -24%
Lawrence $97,000 40 -83%
Leominster 30 -84%
Lowell $93,000 840 +70%
New Bedford $108,000 70 -72%
Peabody $83,000 410 -1%
Pittsfield $73,000 60 -49%
Springfield $82,000 830 -35%
Taunton $90,000 90 -47%
Worcester $94,000 910 -15%

Michigan

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Ann Arbor $82,000 670 -5%
Battle Creek $81,000 340 +71%
Detroit $82,000 1,970 -33%
Flint $84,000 220 -59%
Grand Rapids $75,000 630 -61%
Holland $82,000 160 -59%
Jackson $84,000 130 -30%
Kalamazoo $56,000 130 -77%
Lansing $63,000 420 -50%
Saginaw $57,000 180 -45%
Warren $85,000 3,610 -24%

Minnesota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Duluth $62,000 160 -70%
Minneapolis $90,000 8,270 +6%
Rochester $89,000 170 -59%
St Cloud $81,000 110 -72%

Mississippi

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Gulfport $75,000 140 -68%
Hattiesburg $42,000 40 -82%
Jackson $61,000 450 -59%

Missouri

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Cape Girardeau $68,000 60 -64%
Columbia $76,000 130 -59%
Jefferson City $49,000 280 -5%
Joplin $59,000 50 -84%
Kansas City $78,000 4,490 +1%
Springfield $62,000 160 -80%
St Joseph $71,000 40 -79%
St Louis $84,000 3,200 -45%

Montana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Billings $65,000 80 -76%
Missoula $65,000 40 -80%

Nebraska

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lincoln $60,000 490 -27%
Omaha $73,000 2,010 -2%

Nevada

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Carson City $66,000 420 +352%
Las Vegas $83,000 1,960 -47%
Reno $90,000 540 -33%

New Hampshire

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Manchester $85,000 360 -15%
Portsmouth 250 +12%
Rochester $72,000 110 -47%

New Jersey

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Atlantic City $83,000 110 -82%
Edison $88,000 3,470 -23%
Newark $96,000 4,400 +0%
Trenton $94,000 2,260 +133%
Vineland $72,000 30 -87%

New Mexico

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albuquerque $81,000 1,390 -17%
Farmington 150 -21%
Las Cruces $64,000 150 -40%
Santa Fe $65,000 510 +110%

New York

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albany $73,000 2,030 +4%
Binghamton $73,000 290 -37%
Buffalo $73,000 1,200 -50%
Elmira $83,000 50 -65%
Glens Falls $69,000 100 -50%
Ithaca $80,000 50 -67%
Kingston $81,000 70 -70%
Nassau $98,000 3,240 -42%
New York $106,000 26,700 +17%
Poughkeepsie $86,000 410 -61%
Rochester $91,000 1,630 -26%
Syracuse $74,000 870 -36%
Utica $59,000 280 -46%

North Carolina

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Asheville $69,000 190 -75%
Charlotte $84,000 2,880 -23%
Durham $87,000 1,270 +7%
Fayetteville $67,000 360 -31%
Greensboro $75,000 900 -42%
Greenville $59,000 70 -74%
Hickory $67,000 80 -87%
Jacksonville $73,000 80 -50%
Raleigh $76,000 1,270 -44%
Rocky Mount $71,000 60 -73%
Wilmington $84,000 230 -59%
Winston Salem $85,000 340 -62%

North Dakota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bismarck $91,000 110 -57%
Fargo $59,000 210 -58%
Grand Forks $90,000 40 -78%

Ohio

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Akron $72,000 860 -38%
Canton $75,000 240 -66%
Cincinnati $83,000 4,210 -5%
Cleveland $83,000 3,900 -13%
Columbus $72,000 5,970 +48%
Dayton $80,000 1,780 +7%
Lima 40 -80%
Mansfield $69,000 50 -75%
Sandusky $60,000 60 -53%
Springfield $62,000 70 -62%
Toledo $86,000 430 -66%
Youngstown $71,000 160 -83%

Oklahoma

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lawton $64,000 180 +18%
Oklahoma City $71,000 1,860 -26%
Tulsa $69,000 1,090 -42%

Oregon

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bend 60 -76%
Corvallis $70,000 40 -59%
Eugene $76,000 270 -54%
Medford $102,000 70 -77%
Portland $80,000 2,390 -47%
Salem $62,000 1,060 +70%

Pennsylvania

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Allentown $83,000 770 -49%
Altoona $80,000 50 -79%
Erie $77,000 300 -44%
Harrisburg $72,000 2,380 +72%
Johnstown $75,000 80 -63%
Lancaster $83,000 300 -70%
Lebanon $72,000 110 -36%
Philadelphia $100,000 11,230 +34%
Pittsburgh $94,000 3,410 -32%
Reading $89,000 430 -39%
Scranton $76,000 420 -62%
State College $104,000 160 -35%
Williamsport $95,000 30 -85%
York $88,000 160 -78%

Rhode Island

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Providence $77,000 2,180 -10%

South Carolina

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anderson $74,000 70 -68%
Charleston $72,000 1,020 -18%
Columbia $59,000 1,850 +22%
Florence $62,000 120 -62%
Greenville $75,000 1,000 -22%
Spartanburg $85,000 220 -54%
Sumter $75,000 70 -41%

South Dakota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Rapid City $65,000 270 +8%
Sioux Falls $70,000 780 +34%

Tennessee

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Chattanooga 780 -20%
Clarksville $66,000 110 -65%
Cleveland $80,000 70 -45%
Jackson $79,000 40 -83%
Johnson City $70,000 140 -51%
Kingsport $74,000 180 -64%
Knoxville $91,000 1,010 -30%
Memphis $86,000 1,490 -45%
Nashville $82,000 3,180 -2%

Texas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Abilene $55,000 40 -84%
Amarillo $61,000 220 -50%
Beaumont $78,000 80 -88%
College Station $58,000 100 -73%
Corpus Christi $90,000 250 -67%
Dallas $91,000 10,460 +13%
El Paso $64,000 420 -64%
Fort Worth $81,000 1,550 -59%
Houston $100,000 7,380 -36%
Killeen $63,000 240 -55%
Longview $82,000 60 -85%
Lubbock $60,000 130 -75%
Mcallen $87,000 140 -86%
Midland $62,000 60 -76%
San Angelo $59,000 60 -61%
San Antonio $75,000 2,970 -22%
Texarkana $63,000 50 -76%
Tyler $67,000 50 -86%
Waco $88,000 110 -73%
Wichita Falls $61,000 100 -53%

Utah

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Logan $69,000 50 -72%
Ogden $75,000 860 +2%
Provo $68,000 420 -41%
Salt Lake City $68,000 2,070 -22%
St George $72,000 50 -71%

Vermont

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Burlington $80,000 280 -39%

Virginia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Blacksburg $81,000 270 +14%
Charlottesville $86,000 700 +101%
Danville $60,000 40 -68%
Harrisonburg $84,000 110 -49%
Lynchburg $85,000 180 -55%
Richmond $83,000 5,280 +97%
Roanoke $67,000 420 -36%
Virginia Beach $83,000 6,110 +84%
Winchester $88,000 160 -16%

Washington

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bellingham $86,000 60 -80%
Bremerton $77,000 400 +20%
Kennewick $76,000 100 -75%
Olympia $67,000 380 -6%
Seattle $90,000 9,640 +56%
Spokane $65,000 300 -66%
Tacoma $75,000 560 -51%
Yakima $63,000 50 -85%

West Virginia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Charleston $72,000 150 -75%
Huntington $67,000 140 -70%
Morgantown $73,000 40 -81%
Wheeling $65,000 70 -73%

Wisconsin

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Appleton $79,000 250 -47%
Eau Claire $68,000 90 -69%
Green Bay $64,000 510 -28%
La Crosse $80,000 90 -68%
Madison $69,000 2,460 +68%
Milwaukee $78,000 3,400 -7%
Oshkosh $67,000 160 -55%
Racine $94,000 50 -83%
Sheboygan $68,000 60 -72%
Wausau $76,000 140 -46%

Wyoming

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Cheyenne $64,000 80 -50%
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Management Analysts schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.