Intelligence Analysts

33-3021.06 Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation Needed

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

Also known as: AI Consultant (Artificial Intelligence Consultant), All Source Analyst, All Source Intelligence Analyst, Analyst, Anti-Terrorist Analyst, Background Specialist, CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent), Competitive Intelligence Analyst, ...

Annual Salary

$93,580

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$68,390 25th – 75th percentile $120,080
10th percentile $54,160
90th percentile $159,410
U.S. Employment: 110,790

Job Outlook

-0.7%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 7,800 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.
  • Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.
  • Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
  • Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
  • Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.
  • Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.
  • Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
  • Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
  • Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
  • Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.3
Active Listening 4.1
Writing 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.6
Active Learning 3.6
Monitoring 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

English Language 4.3
Law and Government 4.1
Public Safety and Security 3.8
Administrative 3.5
Computers and Electronics 3.5
Communications and Media 3.3
Customer and Personal Service 3.2
Telecommunications 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
65.2%
Master's
13%
Associate's
8.7%
Post-Bacc Cert
8.7%
Some College
4.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Amazon Web Services AWS software Apache Hadoop Apache Hive Apache Kafka Apache Spark C++ Django ESRI ArcGIS software Facebook Hypertext markup language HTML JavaScript Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Azure software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft PowerShell Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word Oracle Java Oracle PeopleSoft Python R SAP software SAS Splunk Enterprise

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.9
Integrity
2.8
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.5
Cautiousness
2.3
Intellectual Curiosity
2.2
Adaptability
2.1
Achievement Orientation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Inductive Reasoning 4.3
Oral Comprehension 4.1
Written Comprehension 4.1
Problem Sensitivity 4.1
Oral Expression 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.7
Working with Computers 4.6
Getting Information 4.6
Processing Information 4.5
Analyzing Data or Information 4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.2
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Telephone Conversations
4.8
Spend Time Sitting
4.6
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.4
Contact With Others
4.4
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.3
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.3
Time Pressure
3.8
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
3.8

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.