What does a Business Analyst do?

Business analysts collect and analyze data for potential business expansion. They identify specific business opportunities and influence shareholders to support business projects, to lead projects, and to coordinate with other teams to produce better results and outcomes. They also test out the business processes and recommend relevant improvements. Specialists in the business analyst field include inventory control, company reorganization, healthcare, and in telecom industries.

As natural problem solvers on the hunt for better ways to do business, business analysts discover issues, and help come up with solutions that deliver better value to the customer. They rely on data and analytics, research, and recommend improvement measures and protocol to impact and improve a company’s logistics more efficiently or directly. They strive to make their organization more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues. Business analysts need a minimum bachelor's degree in business, economics, or related fields.

What responsibilities are common for Business Analyst jobs?
  • Provide support as a project team member as needed.
  • Act as liaison with internal and external partners.
  • Contribute to preparation and review of test procedures and reports.
  • Contribute to the development of a strategic customer roadmap.
  • Establish and document processes to support all areas of responsibility.
  • Develop use case scenarios for user acceptance testing process.
  • Manage multiple priorities and projects in fast paced and dynamic environment.
  • Develop and author test strategy, test plans, and test cases.
  • Create ad-hoc reports, data queries, standard reports, and dashboards to support business needs.
  • Integrate research, team ideas, and client feedback into solution requirements.
  • Maintain high quality project and software design documentation and analysis.
  • Maintain a log of completed and ongoing system changes.
  • Identify various possible business scenarios and document it.
  • Create a project schedule and milestone plan and manage to the same.
  • Partner directly with business owners to implement solutions to process defects.
  • Analyze root causes of business issues and develop appropriate resolutions.
  • Utilize feedback to improve work and builds on previous learnings.
  • Assist with test plans and related quality reviews with business partners.
What are the typical qualifications for Business Analyst jobs?
  • Bachelor's Degree or Graduate's Degree in business, computer engineering, computer science, or information systems, or equivalent experience.
  • Problem solver who pays strong attention to detail.
  • Demonstrating critical thinking and consulting experience.
  • Comfortable with leadership roles and able to assist teams with collaboration of projects.
  • Certification in necessary programs such as Agile, SQL, or Scrum.
  • Fluent in statistics and able to conduct business process analysis.
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.8 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.7 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

How much does a Business Analyst make near United States?

Confident
$84,837 /yr
Total Pay
$79,015
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$5,822
 /yr

Additional Pay

$84,837

 / yr
$58K$125K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
See More Insights

Business Analyst Career Path

Learn how to become a Business Analyst, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Business Analyst
$84,837/yr
Senior Business Analyst
$120,736/yr
Business Analyst

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
12%
2 - 4
51%
5 - 7
16%
8+
21%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Business Analyst Insights

Read what Business Analyst professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Bristol Myers SquibbBristol Myers Squibb
Flow Cytometry Specialist
Jun 15, 2022

“The focus on output versus career progression is extraordinarily pervasive and inhibitory to job satisfaction.”

AstreyaAstreya
Senior Business Analyst
Jun 30, 2022

“You will enjoy public holidays as per Indian calendar which is new and unique here.”

InfosysInfosys
Senior Consultant, Business Analyst
Jul 3, 2023

“As a company it is good to work with and the learning opportunities are great.”

Nordea BankNordea Bank
Business Analyst
Aug 10, 2021

“I had a wonderful manager who was great at coaching and helped me further in my career.”

Highgate HotelsHighgate Hotels
Business Analyst
Aug 19, 2021

“Great career advancement if you are good at what you doing and are willing to learn by taking additional responsibilities.”

AccentureAccenture
Lead Business Analyst
Apr 13, 2023

“My ideas and solutions were valued and I received great motivation that helped me deliver better.”

NOW: PensionsNOW: Pensions
Business Analyst
Apr 26, 2021

“though the top management is good but management you interact with on daily basis to work is good for nothing”

GARSAN SolutionsGARSAN Solutions
Business Analyst
Jun 20, 2022

“Amazing people who want to work with you to make you your best and support you in any way possible”

See More

Business Analyst Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of business analysts

The typical day of a business analyst includes providing guidance and consultation to help businesses improve their business processes. They may be involved in the research and decision-making process of business systems and services. In a career as a business analyst, one often works closely with the Information technology (IT) department to improve workplace productivity and efficiency.

The best part about being a business analyst is that they play an important role in improving the systems within a business. This is a position that is often in high demand as many businesses need business analysts with good project management and evaluation skills to help them improve their systems.

Yes, the average pay for business analysts is $84,837 per year in the United States. Salary can range based on level of experience and the specific industry. Business analysts with more technical or project management skills may receive a higher salary.

Working as a business analyst can be a challenging and demanding job, as analysts are often responsible for improving inefficient systems within the company. Another difficult aspect of being a business analyst is that they need to stay up-to-date on industry trends which can be time intensive.

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