How much does a Business Analyst make in Washington, DC ?

The average salary for a Business Analyst is $99,028 per year in Washington, DC . Salaries estimates are based on 107971 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Business Analyst employees in Washington, DC .

The highest salary for a Business Analyst in Washington, DC is $121,423 per year.

The lowest salary for a Business Analyst in Washington, DC is $81,069 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Business Analyst or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Business Analyst.

Business analysts are generally well-paid, with starting salaries nearing the six-figure range. This pay reflects the value they add to their firms. Business analysts with a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) or a Juris Doctorate (JD) generally earn more money than strategists with a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, a career in strategy positions candidates with the skillset and network to move into highly paid executive-level roles of their client firms, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO).

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Business analysts have an array of career advantages, from benefits packages to advanced degrees and professional certification. Through commissions, profit sharing, and bonuses earned through their work, they can bring home an additional $5,964.05 every year. On Glassdoor, 73% of business analysts rated their salaries as satisfactory.

Professional certification impacts salary, as does education and experience. Changes in these factors directly affect your salary as a business analyst following the standard career path. You can expect a general salary range between $67,744.97 and $145,622.89, with $93,058.36 being the average salary. Becoming a senior business analyst equates to a higher salary, but this position requires a minimum of two years of professional experience.

Consider pursuing a graduate degree in business administration, finance, information technology, or a related field. A higher level of education translates to a higher salary as a business analyst, especially when combined with professional experience in the position. Alternatively, you can complete a certification program to develop your knowledge of business analysis. Focus on attaining and improving the industry's most marketable skills, which include communication, negotiation, decision making, cost-benefit analysis, systems development, report creation, database management and SQL, and presentation of project findings. Considering advancement to a senior-level position? Make professional certification a priority; there are dozens of options that underscore your job-specific abilities, education, and experience in the role.

Certification goes a long way in the bargaining process, and employers often consider certified professionals for higher starting salaries. You can possess multiple certificates, so use them to supplement your bargaining power in business analyst roles. Likewise, education or experience above the average range qualifies you for a higher salary. Following a job offer, explain what you bring to the role and how your past experience will help you in this specific position. In an existing position, list your desired salary and ask how you can work toward it. Research business analyst salaries in your area so you have an accurate picture of your market value during the process.