How to Become a Business Analyst: Steps, Skills, and Salary
Key Takeaways
- Becoming a business analyst commonly involves earning a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, developing analytical, business and technical skills, and gaining hands-on experience through internships, projects, or adjacent roles. Certifications and graduate study can further support specialization or advancement later in your career.
- No state license is required to work as a business analyst. Employers set their own education and experience requirements, although a bachelor’s degree is a common starting point for analyst roles.
- For someone beginning with a bachelor’s degree, business analyst career preparation typically takes about four years. Career changers who already hold a degree may transition sooner by building relevant analysis and data processing skills and using existing industry experience.
- Touro University Worldwide’s 100% online BSBA provides working adults with a sound and flexible foundation in business, while our online Master of Science in Business Analytics develops more advanced analytics and management skills and can be completed in one year at the full-time pace.
Learning how to become a business analyst starts with understanding that there is no single required route into the profession. Employers may consider different educational backgrounds, technical skills, business knowledge, and experience depending on the role and industry. That flexibility gives adult learners and career changers several ways to build toward business analysis role, including formal education, practical experience, and professional certifications. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong demand for analyst-adjacent roles in the years ahead, due to the changing nature of the technology-driven economy.
How to become a business analyst: Step by step
Becoming a business analyst often includes earning a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, followed by building analytical and technical skills and gaining relevant experience through internships or adjacent roles. An entry-level certification can provide additional preparation, while experience or graduate study may support advancement later in your career. Since there is no single mandated route into business analysis, the steps below reflect a common progression instead of a fixed professional requirement.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is a common starting point for business analyst roles, particularly in fields such as business administration, finance, accounting, economics, or information systems. Relevant coursework may include statistics, data analysis, business processes, information technology, management, and communication, all of which support common business analysis responsibilities. Other academic backgrounds can also lead into the field, especially when paired with relevant skills and data processing experience.
Touro University Worldwide’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management (BSBA) provides a strong academic foundation for students preparing for business analyst roles. The 100% online program has no residency requirement, uses eight-week courses taught by professors with real-world business experience, offers affordable tuition and six start dates each year, and includes coursework in business statistics, business writing, information technology, management, finance, and data-informed decision-making.
Step 2: Build your analysis and data skills
Alongside your degree, start building the practical skills used in business analysis. Depending on the role, that may include Excel, basic SQL, and visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau, along with process mapping, requirements analysis, and stakeholder communication. Practice documenting business needs, analyzing processes, and presenting findings in a clear format, since these are central parts of business analysis work.
You can also build a small portfolio with two or three projects that analyze a real dataset, identify a business problem, or document a process improvement. Those projects give you concrete examples of how you approach analysis, even if the experience comes from a current non-analyst role.
Step 3: Gain experience through internships or adjacent roles
Landing your first business analyst role can be challenging, especially when employers are looking for candidates with some relevant experience. If you’re a student, internships or analyst-track rotations provide a direct way to gain exposure to business analysis work. If you’re already employed, adjacent roles in operations, customer support, quality assurance, finance, or project coordination can provide another entry point. Taking on reporting, documentation, requirements, or process-improvement work in your current role gives you relevant experience you can demonstrate on your resume. The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) recognizes transferable experience from other functions as a useful foundation for moving into business analysis.
Career changers can also benefit from emphasizing their existing industry knowledge. A nurse moving into healthcare analysis or an accountant moving into financial systems analysis already understands the processes, terminology, and needs of that field. That domain expertise can be valuable because organizations in specialized industries often seek analysts with relevant experience in the areas they serve.
Step 4: Consider a business analysis certification
Treat certifications as an additional credential. The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is a common entry-level option because it does not require prior business analysis work experience. More advanced credentials, including the CCBA, CBAP, and PMI-PBA, are designed for professionals with established business analysis experience and may become relevant later in your career.
Before paying for a certification, review job postings in your target industry to see how often employers request or prefer one. Certification can help demonstrate knowledge and professional development, but its value varies by role and employer.
Step 5: Apply for entry-level business analyst roles
When you’re ready to apply, search for titles such as junior business analyst, business analyst I, operations analyst, or reporting analyst, while checking the responsibilities carefully to find roles that match the skills you’ve built. Translate your past experience into terms relevant to business analysis, highlighting work with requirements, stakeholders, process improvement, reporting, and measurable outcomes even if your previous title didn’t include the word “analyst.”
A portfolio can also give you concrete examples to discuss in interviews, particularly if you’re entering the field without direct analyst experience. Business analysis applies across a wide range of industries, so career changers may benefit from targeting roles in a field they already understand.
Step 6: Advance with experience or a master’s degree
As you gain experience, you may move into senior business analyst roles or branch into areas such as product ownership, project management, or analytics management. A master’s degree can also deepen your expertise and prepare you for more advanced analytical or leadership responsibilities. Common graduate options include business analytics, an MBA, or other data-focused programs, depending on your career goals.
Our online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is designed for professionals who want to build advanced analytics and management skills. The 36-credit program is 100% online, requires no GRE, is competitively priced, and can be completed in one year by students taking two courses per eight-week term for six consecutive terms. Students choose between Management and Marketing concentrations and learn from scholar-practitioners with expertise in business analytics.
Business analyst skills employers look for
Business analysts need a mix of analytical, technical, communication, and problem-solving skills. The exact combination depends on the role, industry, and type of business analysis work.
| Skill | Type | How business analysts use it |
| Data analysis (Excel and SQL) | Technical | Analyzing business data to identify patterns, problems, and opportunities |
| Data visualization (Power BI or Tableau) | Technical | Presenting findings through dashboards and visual reports |
| Requirements analysis and documentation | Technical | Gathering, defining, and communicating business needs and requirements |
| Process modeling | Technical | Mapping current processes and identifying opportunities for improvement |
| Communication and stakeholder management | Workplace | Gathering information, communicating findings, and working with people across the organization and other external stakeholders |
| Critical thinking and problem-solving | Workplace | Defining problems, evaluating information, and recommending appropriate solutions |
| Organization and time management | Workplace | Managing analysis activities, deadlines, and setting priorities |
Business analysts do not need to master every skill before entering the field. Technical capabilities can be developed through coursework and hands-on projects, while communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills often transfer from previous professional experience.
How long does it take to become a business analyst?
For someone entering the field without prior experience, earning a bachelor’s degree generally takes about four years, although program length varies based on course load and transfer credits. Students who gain relevant experience through internships, projects, or related work during their degree may be better positioned to pursue entry-level analyst roles after graduation. Career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree may be able to transition sooner by developing business analysis skills and gaining relevant experience in their current field.
Adding a master’s degree may take as little as one additional year. For working adults retraining while employed, flexible online study can make it possible to continue working while completing their education. TUW offers eight-week terms and six start dates each year, and our MSBA can be completed in one year by students who take two courses per term for six consecutive terms.
How much do business analysts earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for management analysts is around $100,000. Employment is projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 98,000 openings projected each year over the decade.
Current salary data for business analysts places average annual pay at about $99,000 nationwide, or roughly $47 per hour. Most salaries fall between about $74,000 and $123,500, with the 90th percentile reaching approximately $135,000.
Pay varies considerably with experience, location, industry, and specialization. Junior business analyst salary estimates show average annual pay of about $65,000, with most salaries ranging from approximately $53,000 to $71,000. Earnings may increase as analysts gain experience and move into more senior or specialized roles.
The bottom line
Becoming a business analyst typically involves building a foundation in business, developing analytical and technical skills, and gaining experience through internships, projects, or related roles. A bachelor’s degree is a common starting point, while professional certifications and graduate study can support further specialization or advancement later in your career.
If you’re ready to build those skills, we’d love to help you find the program that fits your goals. Our online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management provides a sound foundation in business and management, while our online Master of Science in Business Analytics is designed for professionals who want to develop more advanced analytical and management skills.
Both programs are 100% online and offered by our nonprofit, WSCUC-accredited university. The MSBA can be completed in one year by full-time students taking two courses per term for six consecutive terms, and financial aid and tuition assistance options are available to eligible students. You can request information or begin your application through TUW admissions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can you become a business analyst with no experience?
Yes. Entry-level roles may be available to candidates who demonstrate relevant education and skills, although related experience can make the transition easier. Internships, projects, and responsibilities such as reporting, documentation, requirements analysis, or process improvement can help you build relevant experience even if your current job title does not include “analyst.”
Can you become a business analyst without a degree?
It is possible because business analysis does not have a universal degree or licensing requirement. However, a bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education for closely related occupations such as management analysts, so completing one can qualify you for a broader range of opportunities. Online programs can be especially valuable for career changers, giving them the flexibility to earn a degree while continuing to work and build relevant professional experience.
What is the difference between a business analyst and a data analyst?
Business analysts generally focus on business needs, processes, requirements, and stakeholders, helping organizations determine what should change and how solutions should support their goals. Data analysts focus more heavily on examining datasets, identifying patterns, and communicating findings that support decisions. The roles can overlap, particularly in data-oriented business analysis positions; hence why the confusion is so common.
Is a business analyst certification worth it?
It can be, depending on your experience and the roles you are targeting. The ECBA is designed for people entering business analysis and has no specific work-experience eligibility requirement, while advanced credentials such as the CBAP are intended for experienced professionals. The CBAP currently requires at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience within the previous 10 years. Before investing in certification, review job postings in your target field to see how often employers request or prefer one.
Is business analyst a good career?
Yes, for people who enjoy solving business problems and working across teams. The BLS projects much-faster-than-average growth for management analysts, a closely related occupation, pointing to strong demand in related roles. The entry-level market can still be competitive, while experience can lead to senior analyst, product, and management positions over time.
Can you become a business analyst with an online degree?
Yes. An online degree can provide the education and skills needed to pursue business analyst roles, and employers usually care about accreditation and demonstrated skills, not delivery format. TUW’s 100% online business programs provide working adults with the flexibility to complete their education while balancing professional responsibilities.
