Business Analyst: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What Does a Business Analyst do?

In this role, you're the go-to person for understanding business needs and turning them into actionable insights. Analyzing data, you collaborate with teams to optimize processes, streamline operations, and help the business reach its goals.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Business Analysts in the Business field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

• Define configuration specifications and business analysis requirements.
• Perform quality assurance and define reporting and alerting requirements.
• Own and develop relationship with partners, working with them to optimize and enhance integration.
• Help design, document, and maintain system processes.
• Report on common sources of technical issues or questions and make recommendations to the product team.
• Communicate key insights and findings to product team and business stakeholders.
• Constantly be on the lookout for ways to improve monitoring, discover issues, and deliver better value to the customer.

How to Become a Business Analyst

Launching a career as a Business Analyst requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, IT, or related field.
• Proven experience in business analysis or a related field.
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Advanced technical skills and experience in documenting processes and performing user acceptance testing.
• Experience creating detailed reports and giving presentations.
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Requirements & Skills

• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• A history of leading and supporting successful projects.
• Strong ability to analyze complex data and translate it into actionable strategies.
• Effective communication skills with a talent for concise, compelling reporting.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and work closely with them to determine acceptable solutions.

Business Analyst Salary Guide

Wondering what Business Analysts earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

The average salary for a Business Analyst in the U.S. is approximately $89,870 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Business Analysts may receive a wide range of benefits.

Business Analyst Salary Career Steps

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$112,338
Senior	11+ years	$98,857
Experienced	6-10 years	$89,870
Mid Level	3-5 years	$80,883
Entry Level	0-2 years	$67,403

How to Advance Your Career

Business Analysts often progress into senior roles such as Senior Business Analyst, Project Manager or even into executive roles like Chief Techology Officer or Business Development Director, depending on their skills and interests. Advanced education and certifications in business analysis, project management, or a specialized industry sector can further enhance career opportunities.

Typical Work Environment

Business Analysts typically work in office settings but may also spend time meeting with clients or stakeholders. They often work as part of a team, collaborating with other analysts, project managers, and department heads. The job may require travel depending on the company and role. Standard office hours are typical, but deadlines can necessitate occasional overtime.