Business intelligence (BI) analysts are problem solvers. It’s their job to crunch data—through software, tools, and their own coding—to figure out how a company can improve operations, sell and grow more efficiently, and preempt potential challenges. Because of the immense impact their work can have on an organization, BI analysts tend to make a lot of money. Most of them deserve it—they’ve put in the time obtaining a highly specialized skill set, maybe through a master’s in business analytics or master’s in data science.
Whether you’re already in the industry or exploring your options, we’ll explain common salaries for this role depending on where you live—and why factoring in cost of living is crucial before taking an offer.
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How much do business intelligence analysts make?
Business intelligence analysts in the United States make on average $99,306 a year, according to job search platform Glassdoor.
The state with the highest salary for this job, Glassdoor reports, is California, with business intelligence analysts located there bringing in an average of $107,052 a year. New York ($105,549), Washington ($104,098), New Jersey ($102,505), and Texas ($101,952) rank in the top five. Meanwhile, the states with the lowest BI analyst salaries are North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, District of Columbia, and New Mexico.
It’s important to note that base salaries provided by Glassdoor don’t include additional pay such as bonuses or equity. According to Jody Thelander, a compensation consultant with decades of experience analyzing trends around corporate wages, median bonuses for analysts hover around $5,000 a year.
Also, keep in mind that your income may fall above or below your state’s range for a number of reasons, such as your experience or background or the type of company you’re applying to. Startups, for example, have smaller hiring budgets than tech behemoths—and how well you handle salary negotiation conversations.
Not to mention, supply and demand can decide where a role falls in terms of pay. Thelander’s data shows that total cash compensation for analyst roles has dropped since 2022, which she attributes to it being a stronger employer market today than it was two years ago.
Business intelligence versus business analytics: What’s the difference?
Business intelligence and business analytics get tossed around a lot in tandem—and for good reason. Both require comfort and knowledge of data and databases, and typically involve individuals with a background in computer science, statistics, or math.
However, one way to distinguish between the two is what their goals are: On its blog, Harvard’s Business Analytics Program argues that business analysts strive to predict future outcomes, while BI analysts are more focused on solving for the here and now. Because each goal is crucial for an organization’s success, it’s not uncommon to see a tech team hire for, and invest in, both types of experts. The size and tenure of a company also influences whether they maintain a business analytics or business intelligence arm.
Cost of living
Your purchasing power is dependent on where you live. Cost of living is also one reason why salaries in some states are higher than others.
California, New York, and Washington have some of the highest cost-of-living indexes—how cost of living is measured compared to the country’s average—as well as the steepest wages for business intelligence analysts.
Of course, there are exceptions to this. Take Texas: The state’s cost of living is lower than the U.S.’s, but it’s still the fifth-highest state in terms of income for BI analysts. In other places such as North Carolina or Georgia, you can make a significant wage while still paying less for items such as food, transportation, or housing relative to the rest of the country.
Business intelligence analyst salary by state
The following salary information for business intelligence analysts is based on data collected by Glassdoor, which is self-reported by users. Each state’s cost of living index comes from the latest reporting from The Council for Community and Economic Research, as cited by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
The takeaway
In states with a heavy tech presence, such as California, Washington, and New York, you can make more than $104,000 a year as a business intelligence analyst. The lowest salary for a BI analyst is in New Mexico, where the state average is around $72,000 annually.
Negotiating salary isn’t just encouraged—companies expect it and often budget for it. Which is why Thelander suggests not just looking at overall averages for compensation but also the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. Put yourself in the company’s shoes: “See where they’re looking at you in terms of your career and what skill set you are bringing,” she says, adding that high performers or niche expertise can garner a salary higher than what’s typical for your location or title.
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