Intelligence analysts play a critical role in national security and law enforcement by interpreting and analyzing data to identify threats and trends. Their expertise is in high demand, and their compensation reflects the important work they do.
Salary Projections for 2023-2025
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for intelligence analysts was $95,560 in May 2022. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,670, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $150,030.
The BLS projects that employment of intelligence analysts will grow by 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to the increasing need for intelligence analysis in areas such as terrorism, cybersecurity, and international relations.
As a result, salaries for intelligence analysts are expected to continue to rise in the coming years. By 2025, the median annual wage for intelligence analysts is projected to be $105,140.
Factors Affecting Salary
Several factors can affect an intelligence analyst’s salary, including:
- Education: Intelligence analysts with a master’s or doctoral degree typically earn higher salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
- Experience: Intelligence analysts with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience.
- Location: Intelligence analysts who work in high-cost-of-living areas typically earn higher salaries than those who work in low-cost-of-living areas.
- Employer: Intelligence analysts who work for the federal government typically earn higher salaries than those who work for state or local governments or private companies.
Benefits
In addition to salary, intelligence analysts may also receive a variety of benefits, including:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
How to Become an Intelligence Analyst
To become an intelligence analyst, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in a field such as political science, international relations, criminal justice, or computer science. You may also need to have experience in a related field, such as law enforcement or military intelligence.
Once you have the required education and experience, you can apply for intelligence analyst jobs with government agencies such as the CIA, FBI, and NSA. You may also find work with private companies that provide intelligence services.
Career Outlook
The career outlook for intelligence analysts is excellent. The increasing demand for intelligence analysis in both the public and private sectors will lead to a continued growth in employment opportunities. Intelligence analysts with the right skills and experience will be in high demand in the years to come.
Table 1: Salary Projections for Intelligence Analysts, 2023-2025
| Year | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $95,560 |
| 2024 | $100,850 |
| 2025 | $105,140 |
Table 2: Median Annual Wages for Intelligence Analysts by Education Level, May 2022
| Education Level | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | $91,560 |
| Master’s degree | $115,450 |
| Doctoral degree | $135,670 |
Table 3: Median Annual Wages for Intelligence Analysts by Employer, May 2022
| Employer | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Federal government | $102,840 |
| State government | $90,780 |
| Local government | $87,360 |
| Private companies | $93,210 |
Table 4: Benefits Offered to Intelligence Analysts by Employer, 2022
| Benefit | Offered by Federal Government | Offered by State Government | Offered by Local Government | Offered by Private Companies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | 100% | 95% | 90% | 85% |
| Dental insurance | 95% | 90% | 85% | 80% |
| Vision insurance | 85% | 80% | 75% | 70% |
| Life insurance | 100% | 95% | 90% | 85% |
| Retirement benefits | 100% | 95% | 90% | 75% |
| Paid time off | 100% | 95% | 90% | 85% |
| Tuition reimbursement | 75% | 70% | 65% | 60% |
