What is an intelligence analyst and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become an intelligence analyst?

It can take more than four years after high school to become an intelligence analyst. This is due to expected educational requirements and work experience. Most intelligence analysts have an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or intelligence operations. Some employers may also prefer that you have a master's degree, typically for more advanced or senior positions.

Q: How much do FBI intelligence analysts make?

FBI intelligence analysts can make about $51,260 a year (about $4,272 per month or $24.64 per hour). That's the average for the typical criminal intelligence analyst, but, as most jobs go, factors like location and experience can determine your exact pay.

Q: Is it hard to become an intelligence analyst?

Yes, it can be hard to become an intelligence analyst due to expected educational requirements and work experience. Most intelligence analysts have an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or intelligence operations. Some employers may also prefer that you have a master's degree, typically for more advanced or senior positions.

Q: What degree do you need to be an intelligence analyst?

A person starts their career in business intelligence by gaining a bachelor's degree in information systems, data science, business administration, engineering, or a similar field. Once a person has a degree, they can pursue entry-level jobs, such as database administration, to start a career in business intelligence.

Q: What degree is best for an intelligence analyst?

The best degree for an intelligence analyst is typically intelligence operations. Other majors that intelligence analysts have held are criminal justice and business. Most intelligence analysts have an associate's or bachelor's degree. Some employers may also prefer that you have a master's degree, typically for more advanced or senior positions.

Q: What skills do you need to be an intelligence analyst?

The skills you need to be an intelligence analyst are typically intelligence analysis, procedures, and cyber. An intelligence analyst generally collects information from various sources (such as security databases, law surveillance networks, and communication records) to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Dr. Todd Steen

An intelligence analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets information to provide insights and recommendations to decision-makers. They work for organizations including government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits. Intelligence analysts use techniques such as data mining, social network analysis, and predictive modeling, to identify data patterns and trends. They also conduct research on geopolitical issues, economic trends, and emerging threats. Overall, an intelligence analyst helps organizations make informed decisions based on reliable and accurate information.

What general advice would you give to an Intelligence Analyst?

Dr. Todd Steen

The Granger Professor of Economics, Hope College

Given the situation with the COVID-19 virus, I believe having an economics degree will be more valuable than ever. Graduates will be prepared for a variety of conditions and have excellent problem-solving skills. The pandemic will lead to many new situations, that firms will have to face, that have economic implications. I believe that economics degrees will be in high demand.

My advice to graduates in economics would be to gain experience with various tools for data analysis. I would also advise graduates to start reading as much as possible in newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal and other economics and business periodicals. At the same time, keep up with the news of the day at places like Real Clear Politics. Things will be changing fast, and it will be essential to keep on top of these changes.

ScoreIntelligence AnalystUS Average

Salary

6.1

Avg. Salary $77,752

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.1

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 2.85%

Black or African American 12.46%

Hispanic or Latino 15.96%

Unknown 5.01%

White 63.05%

Gender

female 27.12%

male 72.88%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.5

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

6.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Intelligence Analyst?

Pros

Constantly learning and developing new skills
Potential for career advancement and promotion
Competitive salary and benefits packages
Prestige and respect within the intelligence community
Chance to work on high-profile cases and investigations

Cons

Can involve long hours and irregular schedules
May require extensive travel or relocation
Limited opportunities for public recognition or acknowledgement of accomplishments
May involve working with difficult or demanding personalities within the intelligence community or government agencies
Can be subject to political pressures that can compromise objectivity and impartiality

Newest jobs for Intelligence Analyst in Dayton, OH

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Key steps to become an intelligence analyst

Explore intelligence analyst education requirements

Most common intelligence analyst degrees

Bachelor's

57.5 %

Associate

21.9 %

Master's

10.8 %

Start to develop specific intelligence analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Government Agencies	7.92%
National Security	7.51%
ISR	5.61%
Combat	5.55%
Intelligence Analysis	5.13%

Complete relevant intelligence analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New intelligence analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an intelligence analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real intelligence analyst resumes.

Research intelligence analyst duties and responsibilities

Collaborate with the ITC and J2 to offer new ideas to accomplish overall mission successes.
Lead development team integrating this pivotal crew position into the AF DCGS weapon system construct.
Recruit best-in-class suppliers, utilizing the RFP process and negotiate contracts to achieve cost improvements while meeting stake-holder needs.
Develop, coordinate, and manage OSINT products by using a team of local-national subject matter experts throughout the AO.

Prepare your intelligence analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your intelligence analyst resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an intelligence analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Intelligence Analyst Resume templates

Build a professional Intelligence Analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Intelligence Analyst resume.

Apply for intelligence analyst jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an intelligence analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

What is an intelligence analyst and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an Intelligence Analyst?

What are the pros and cons of being an Intelligence Analyst?

Newest jobs for Intelligence Analyst in Dayton, OH

Intelligence Analyst career paths

Key steps to become an intelligence analyst

Explore intelligence analyst education requirements

Most common intelligence analyst degrees

Start to develop specific intelligence analyst skills

Complete relevant intelligence analyst training and internships

Research intelligence analyst duties and responsibilities

Prepare your intelligence analyst resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Intelligence Analyst Resume templates

Apply for intelligence analyst jobs

How Did You Land Your First Intelligence Analyst Job

Average intelligence analyst salary

How do intelligence analysts rate their job?

Intelligence Analyst FAQs

How long does it take to become an intelligence analyst?

How much do FBI intelligence analysts make?

Is it hard to become an intelligence analyst?

What degree do you need to be an intelligence analyst?

What degree is best for an intelligence analyst?

What skills do you need to be an intelligence analyst?

Search for intelligence analyst jobs

Intelligence Analyst jobs by state