An intelligence analyst is an information security professional who usually works for the government. They are responsible for analyzing and interpreting information collected by people in the field. Organizations that hire intelligence analysts include the police, armed forces, and private security firms. (Payscale.com)
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In the criminal and law enforcement field, intelligence analysts are used to review data to predict what criminals and terrorists may do. The occupation involves intense research using many sources and types of data, such as tactical, strategic, and reporting or collecting.
In the military, intelligence analysts often serve as advisors to Department of Defense analysts. They may be responsible for devising reports and coming up with analytical techniques to communicate data in ways that managers can understand.
Intelligence analysts who work in the FBI tend to spend much of their day reading and researching. They spend hours reading information that special agents collect and then perform more research to determine if there are any gaps in the data. In this way, many intelligence analysts play a critical role in international relations and national security.
Most intelligence analysts have an undergraduate degree related to the sort of information they analyze. For instance, you could have an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, chemistry, physics, Russian studies, and more. It is more likely to land a higher-paying position if you have a master’s degree.
To be an intelligence analyst, you need to have a security clearance from the government, and extensive travel is often involved.
Typical duties of intelligence analysts are:
- Identify good sources for intelligence data and use them to make vital security decisions.
- Advise stakeholders on how to enhance data, conclusions, and processes.
- Identify discrepancies, compare data, and flag any suspect findings.
- Review intelligence data and provide recommendations to managers.
Intelligence Analyst Salary Outlook
Becoming an intelligence analyst requires ample education, so it is important to understand your salary outlook. Below is detailed salary information about this occupation.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect salary data for intelligence analysts. However, the data they have for police and detectives is worth examining. The median wage for police and detectives is $63,380 as of 2018, with the top 10% earning more than $106,000. Law enforcement officials who work in intelligence in the government could earn towards the higher end of the salary scale for police and detectives. (BLS.gov)
BLS also states the top-paying industries for police and detectives. At the federal level, the stated salary could apply to those who work in intelligence:
- Federal government: $87,100
- State government: $67,230
- Local government: $61,500
- Educational services: $52,500
Payscale.com
Payscale.com reports the average salary for a senior intelligence analyst is $93,655 with a range between $68,000 and $133,000. Some specific salaries mentioned include: (Payscale.com)
- Booz, Allen, and Hamilton: $84,000
- CACI International: $89,000
- US Army: $84,000
- US Air Force: $77,000
- Leidos: $100,000
- BAE Systems: $90,000
Skills that are valued in intelligence analysis and typical salaries are:
- Research analysis: $90,700
- Data analysis: $87,400
- Signals intelligence: $99,700
- Human intelligence: $97,900
- Geospatial intelligence: $98,500
Your salary as an intelligence analyst at the senior level will increase with experience:
- One to four years of experience: $84,400
- Five to nine years of experience: $90,100
- Ten to 19 years of experience: $91,900
- 20 years or more of experience: $106600
Below are cities where you can earn more or less in this field:
- Washington DC: +10%
- Fort Meade, Maryland: +10%
- Reston, Virginia: -1%
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: -6%
- San Antonio, Texas: -7%
- Charlottesville, Virginia: -17%
- Tampa, Florida: -25%
Ziprecruiter.com
Ziprecruiter.com reports the national average salary for an intelligence analyst is $66,600 with a range between $21,000 and $120,000. (Ziprecruiter.com). Most intelligence analysts earn between $40,500 and $90,000.
Indeed.com
This website reports the average salary in this field is $56,161. (Indeed.com)
Careerbuilder.com
This website states the average salary for an intelligence analyst is $80,000. (Careerbuilder.com). Top-paying locations are:
- Washington DC: $140,000
- San Francisco: $129,000
- Chicago: $104,000
- New York City: $103,000
- Houston: $81,500
- Dallas: $79,500
- San Antonio: $79,000
Job Outlook for Intelligence Analysts
According to Recruiter.com, the job outlook in this field has been positive since 2004. Vacancies in the intelligence analyst field have increased by 27% since 2004, with typical growth of 4.55% each year. Demand for workers in this field is anticipated to rise, with 20,300 jobs by 2020. This is an annual increase of 2.3% over the next several years. (Recruiter.com). The highest number of intelligence analysts are employed in California, Texas, Florida, and New York.
According to BLS, the job outlook for police and detectives is average, with a 5% growth in jobs expected by 2028, which is about fast as average. Demand for employment in this field varies widely by area and is driven by funding at the state and local level. (BLS.gov)
However, intelligence analysts often work in the state and federal government, and depending on their specific skills, job demand could be greater.
Intelligence Analyst Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $36.93 | $76,819 |
| Massachusetts - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $36.63 | $76,191 |
| New Hampshire - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $35.95 | $74,768 |
| Maryland - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $34.13 | $70,988 |
| Hawaii - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,209 |
| Alaska - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| Nevada - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| Montana - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| North Dakota - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| Wyoming - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| Idaho - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.75 | $70,201 |
| Vermont - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.69 | $70,085 |
| Nebraska - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.65 | $69,993 |
| Connecticut - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.61 | $69,905 |
| Washington - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.56 | $69,800 |
| Rhode Island - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.22 | $69,099 |
| California - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.18 | $69,024 |
| Virginia - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $33.02 | $68,685 |
| New Jersey - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $32.35 | $67,288 |
| Arizona - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $32.19 | $66,958 |
| West Virginia - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $32.13 | $66,828 |
| Colorado - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $32.05 | $66,664 |
| Pennsylvania - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.94 | $66,434 |
| South Dakota - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.90 | $66,343 |
| Minnesota - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.89 | $66,328 |
| South Carolina - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.84 | $66,221 |
| Oregon - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.81 | $66,163 |
| Tennessee - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.78 | $66,097 |
| Delaware - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.69 | $65,921 |
| Utah - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.60 | $65,732 |
| Kentucky - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.55 | $65,623 |
| Kansas - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.41 | $65,337 |
| Ohio - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.36 | $65,222 |
| Indiana - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.20 | $64,899 |
| Oklahoma - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.12 | $64,740 |
| Wisconsin - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $31.01 | $64,503 |
| Iowa - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.97 | $64,415 |
| Louisiana - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.86 | $64,198 |
| Maine - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.72 | $63,900 |
| Texas - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.41 | $63,248 |
| Alabama - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.17 | $62,755 |
| Georgia - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.17 | $62,748 |
| Arkansas - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $30.15 | $62,702 |
| New Mexico - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $29.89 | $62,179 |
| Mississippi - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $29.73 | $61,840 |
| Michigan - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $29.61 | $61,585 |
| Illinois - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $29.54 | $61,440 |
| Missouri - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $28.96 | $60,235 |
| Florida - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $28.40 | $59,076 |
| North Carolina - Intelligence Analyst Salary | $25.86 | $53,782 |
Source: Ziprecruiter.com, January 2020.
Summary
The job title ‘intelligence analyst’ might make you think of the CIA or FBI. While those are possible career paths, the intelligence analysis field can offer you many other career opportunities in various government branches, such as the Army or Navy, or in IT companies such as Booz, Allen, and Hamilton. To become a successful intelligence analyst, you need to have intense training and education. But for those who work hard and get the appropriate bachelor’s or master’s degree, this field is growing and offers high salaries.