Business analyst

What does a business analyst do?

• Interview users and managers to understand their needs and problems.
• Map current processes and design better ones.
• Write clear requirements, user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Analyse data to measure problems and test possible solutions.
• Work with developers, testers and project managers to deliver changes.
• Check that finished solutions meet business needs and help users adopt them.

Where do they work?

Business analysts work in financial services, government, healthcare, telecommunications, retail, software companies and consultancies. They usually sit in IT, digital or change teams and work on projects that introduce new systems or processes. The work is mostly computer-based, with many meetings and workshops, and hybrid working is common. In some countries many experienced analysts work as contractors, moving between organisations for fixed-term projects.

What skills do you need?

• Gathering and documenting requirements
• Process mapping and modelling
• Data analysis with spreadsheets and SQL
• Stakeholder management
• Agile ways of working
• Critical thinking
• Clear writing
• Running workshops and meetings

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• make strategic business decisions
• advise on efficiency improvements
• interpret financial statements
• conduct qualitative research
• build business relationships
• liaise with managers
• analyse internal factors of companies
• perform business analysis
• analyse external factors of companies
• identify undetected organisational needs
• analyse financial performance of a company
• align efforts towards business development

Essential knowledge: business analysis · market research · scientific research methodology · risk management

How do you become a business analyst?

There is no single route into business analysis. Many analysts have a degree in business, information systems, computer science or economics, and some join graduate schemes in banks, consultancies or government. However, many others move sideways from roles such as customer service, operations, finance or software testing, where they already understand how the business works. Learning SQL, process modelling and agile methods makes the switch easier. Certifications from bodies such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), or BCS in the UK, can help, but they are rarely required.

1. Degree and graduate scheme. Degrees in business, information systems, computer science or economics teach useful analysis and technology skills. Some employers recruit graduates directly into analyst programmes, especially in banking, consulting and the public sector. Internships and projects that involve real users or real data strengthen your application.
2. Internal move from another role. This is one of the most common routes. People who know a business well, for example from customer service, operations or finance, take on small analysis tasks, join project teams and then apply for analyst roles. Short courses and an entry-level certification can support the move.
3. Apprenticeship. In some countries, including the UK, you can train as a business analyst through an apprenticeship, combining work with part-time study. Apprentices learn requirements, process modelling and data skills on real projects. This route suits school leavers and career changers who want to earn while they learn.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Business management

  A business management degree teaches how organisations are run, including strategy, marketing, finance, people management and operations.

  6 linked careers

• Computer science

  A computer science degree teaches how software, data and computer systems work, from programming and algorithms to networks and artificial intelligence.

  9 linked careers

• Economics

  An economics degree studies how people, businesses and governments make choices with limited resources, and how markets, money and policy affect jobs, prices and growth.

  6 linked careers

• Data science

  A data science degree teaches how to collect, clean, analyse and learn from data, combining statistics, programming and machine learning with knowledge of real-world problems.

  6 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a business analyst?

Business analysis is not a regulated profession, so you do not need a licence to work in it. Voluntary certifications are available from professional bodies such as IIBA, which offers qualifications for different career stages, and BCS in the UK. Some employers ask for them, especially for contract roles. Analysts in sectors such as banking, health or government must also understand the regulations that affect their projects, such as data protection rules.

How much does a business analyst earn?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate pay estimate that matches this occupation, so we do not show one.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes business analyst and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Junior business analyst
2. Business analyst
3. Senior business analyst
4. Lead analyst or product owner
5. Head of business analysis or product manager

Job outlook

Organisations keep changing their systems and processes because of new technology, AI, customer expectations and regulation, so business analysts are needed in most sectors. AI tools can now draft requirements and summarise data, which shifts the value of the role towards understanding people, asking the right questions and judging trade-offs. The job overlaps with product owner and data analyst roles, and some employers combine them. Contract work rises and falls with project budgets.

Questions about becoming a business analyst

What does a business analyst do?

A business analyst finds out what an organisation needs and makes sure changes deliver it. In practice, that means interviewing users, mapping processes, writing requirements, analysing data and working with technical teams. The aim is to solve the right problem in a way that works for both the business and the people who use the system.

Do business analysts need to know how to code?

Usually not. Most business analyst jobs do not involve programming, but you need to understand how software is built and explain needs clearly to developers. Basic SQL and strong spreadsheet skills are very useful for analysing data. Technical analysts in software or data teams may need more programming knowledge.

How can I become a business analyst with no experience?

Start by using analysis in your current job or studies: map a process, suggest improvements or join a project team. Learn the basics of requirements, process modelling, SQL and agile methods through courses, and consider an entry-level certification. Graduate schemes and apprenticeships are the main routes for people without work experience.

What is the difference between a business analyst and a data analyst?

A data analyst mainly works with data to find patterns and answer questions, using tools such as SQL, spreadsheets and statistics. A business analyst focuses on processes and requirements, working with people to define what needs to change. The roles overlap, and many business analysts use data analysis as one of their tools.

Related careers

• Data analyst

  Data analysts collect, clean and study data to answer practical questions, such as which products sell best or where a service is failing.

  Degree often expected

• Management consultant

  Management consultants help organisations solve problems and improve performance, for example by changing strategy, reducing costs, reorganising teams or introducing new technology.

  Degree usually needed

• Project manager

  Project managers plan, organise and lead projects so they are finished on time, within budget and to the agreed standard.

  Degree often expected

Sources

1. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
2. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2421.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a business analyst: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/business-analyst/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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