How to Become an Intelligence Analyst?
Are you thinking of becoming an Intelligence Analyst or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an Intelligence Analyst, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Intelligence Analyst job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an Intelligence Analyst
If you're considering starting your Intelligence Analyst career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Intelligence Analyst and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Intelligence Analyst career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Intelligence Analyst career path, a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Intelligence Analyst internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become an Intelligence Analyst?
71% of people working as an Intelligence Analyst earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an Intelligence Analyst?
- Gathering
- Critical Thinking
- Views
- Operating Systems
- Written Communication
- GIAC
- Report Writing
- Incident Response
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Intelligence Analyst, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Intelligence Analyst field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Intelligence Analyst specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as an Intelligence Analyst
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Intelligence Analyst. In general, you can become an Intelligence Analyst after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Intelligence Analyst role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified business intelligence professional.4
Advance in Your Intelligence Analyst Career
Following entry-level, there are several Intelligence Analyst career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Intelligence Analyst to progress to the senior intelligence analyst position. Each advanced Intelligence Analyst position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Intelligence Analyst career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Intelligence Analyst career path.5
Continued Education for Your Intelligence Analyst Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Intelligence Analyst career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in computer science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $109,290 compared to $38,140 for those without that type of degree.Intelligence Analyst Career Path
Intelligence Analyst
8+Years of Experience
$91K - $150K /yrMost Likely Range
29% advanced to
Senior Intelligence Analyst
2 - 4Years of Experience
$115K - $179K /yrMost Likely Range
Intelligence Analyst IV
5 - 7Years of Experience
$122K - $189K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Intelligence Analyst Career Path
Intelligence Analyst I
Intelligence Analyst
Senior Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence Analyst IV
Principal Intelligence Analyst
Executive Intelligence Analyst
$70K
$102K
$134K
$166K
$230K
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Related Careers in the Military & Protective Services Industry
Interested in other Military & Protective Services careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Intelligence Analyst skills. Discover some of the most common Intelligence Analyst career transitions, along with skills overlap.