Business Intelligence Developer Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 11 minutes
Reading Time: 11 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Business Intelligence Developer. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Business Intelligence Developers.

Job Duties

Business intelligence developers are experts in data and working with software and databases. They are known as ‘BI developers’ and are responsible for ensuring that appropriate IT solution are in place. This means that they must test and code, debug and design, and implement the tools that they have developed. They plan and research possible solutions for problems they occur within their organization. Furthermore, they build online analytical processes (OLAP), using multidimensional and relational databases. They often also head their company’s IT department, often for a large IT company or corporation.

Other duties of a business intelligence developer are:

  • To provide BI reports and tools, including dimensional analyses and data models
  • To perform SQL queries, designing and coding them, testing them and aggregating the results, in order to create useful information
  • To write technical documents that state the content of databases such as Oracle
  • To map the various databases used in their organization
  • To take part in developing, designing, and analyzing warehousing approaches and data architecture

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 367,600 computer and information systems managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 22%
  • Information: 11%
  • Finance and insurance: 11%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 10%
  • Manufacturing: 8%

How to Become

A BI developer is generally required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in programming or computer science, as well as a lot of work experience. Most have at least seven years’ professional experience. Because they have to be problem solvers, BI developers know how to mine data and how to translate this into plain English. They must also be higher computer literate, while at the same time being able to remove technical jargon.

BI developers can be found in any element of the economy. As a result, they often also have additional certifications in fields related to their particular niche or industry. This is generally not a legal requirement, but it does increase job prospects and it demonstrates a commitment to excellence.

Education Requirements

Normally, a BI developer has a bachelor’s degree in a field relating to computer science as a minimum. This is particularly required if they focus on computer programs, which is usually the case. Also, knowledge of Management Information Systems (MIS) is particularly important.

Furthermore, a graduate degree is now sometimes required. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is popular for this. One of the reasons is that the MBA requires professional experience, which enhances the career prospects of the BI developer. Indeed, professional experience is incredibly important, with the most senior BI developers having as much as ten years experience in the field, although this does vary depending on the size and age of the organization they work for.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective BI developers have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Strong analytical skills
– Excellent business skills
– Great communication skills, both verbal and written
– Strong decision making skills
– Excellent leadership skills
– Great organizational skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Business Intelligence Developer was $95,026. This number is estimated from over 2,130,036 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $49.49 and monthly of $7,919.

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$40,000

$172,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Business Intelligence Developer salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Vermont had the largest quoted salary of $112,545 while New Mexico had the smallest quoted salary of $59,924.

AlabamaIdahoNorth CarolinaPennsylvania
ArkansasIllinoisNorth DakotaRhode Island
ArizonaIndianaNebraskaSouth Carolina
CaliforniaKansasNew HampshireSouth Dakota
ColoradoKentuckyNew JerseyTennessee
ConnecticutLouisianaNew MexicoTexas
DCMassachusettsNevadaUtah
DelawareMarylandNew YorkVirginia
FloridaMichiganOhioVermont
GeorgiaMinnesotaOklahomaWashington
IowaMissouriOregonWisconsin
Alabama$92,069Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, Rezult Technology, CyberCoders, and The Royak Group Inc..

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$43,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas$85,466Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Next Generation Recruitment & Staffing Agency.

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$26,000

$179,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$97,266Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Headfarmer, VincentBenjamin Inc., Ashley Ellis, and Arizona State University.

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$44,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
California$103,448Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Facebook, HERO.jobs, KDS Staffing Inc., and Salesforce.

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$42,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$97,645Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Colorado, Arrow Electronics, Talent Navigation Experts, and Cascade Recruiting.

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$49,000

$161,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$102,839Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Saviance Technologies, Chase Technology Consultants, and Maania.

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$49,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution
DC$106,146Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ArcSoft Consulting, CyberCoders, VLS Systems Inc, and Robert Half Technology.

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$47,000

$187,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$91,308Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Compunnel Software Group and Nigel Frank International.

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$45,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$91,824Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vaco, Ascendo, PF1Professional Services, Inc., and Principle Solutions Group.

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$46,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$94,609Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Veredus, Anthem, Inc., Principle Solutions Group, and Conspicuous.

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$47,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$70,911Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, Nigel Frank International, Ames IT and Numeric Solutions, and Rapid Hire Solutions.

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$25,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$75,876Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, CyberCoders, and Face Value Marketing.

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$34,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$98,158Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Staff IT, Ginas Tech Jobs, Responsive Search, Inc., and Divihn Integration, inc.

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$49,000

$162,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$93,425Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pinnacle Partners, Impact Business Group, IN-Momentum, and S&R Resources.

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$47,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$82,970Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Systematic business consulting, MJ Recruiters, LLC, and Professional Recruiting Partners, LLC.

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$36,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$82,472Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TEKsystems, Nigel Frank International, CyberCoders, and CorTech, LLC.

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$32,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$77,086Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, CyberCoders, and Robert Half Technology.

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$39,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$94,673Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ReSource Technology Partners, Ventois INC, Ashley Ellis, and Ventois, Inc.

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$40,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$87,934Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vayusoft Solutions Inc., PCS GLOBAL TECH, CyberCoders, and Frank Recruitment Group.

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$28,000

$181,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$78,706Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Recruitment Management Consultants (RMC), Changan US Research and Development Center, Inc., Computing Concepts Inc, and Mangrum Career Solutions, LLC.

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$37,000

$135,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$94,229Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, University of Minnesota, NCS PEARSON, INC., and ESP IT.

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$45,000

$161,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$94,945Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, TDK Technologies, LLC, Maganti IT Resources LLC, and Aspect Software.

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$46,000

$161,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$91,898Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SourceAbility, Inc., Sherpa LLC, Vaco – Charlotte, and Nascent Global LLC.

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$42,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota$86,133Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International.

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$43,000

$131,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$90,193Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Werner Enterprises and Nigel Frank International.

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$39,000

$162,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$109,728Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Roland and Associates, Nigel Frank International, Maganti IT Resources, and BCforward.

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$55,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$97,812Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TALON, The Forum Group, Blue Planet Solutions, Inc., and Swanktek Inc.

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$35,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico$59,924Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Central New Mexico Community College.

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$26,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$88,703Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Link Tech, Alpha Solutions Inc, and Exemplar Human Services.

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$36,000

$164,000

Salary Distribution
New York$99,162Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Astute Search, Jumpstart Partners, Technovision Inc, and Luna Staffing.

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$40,000

$184,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$85,029Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, 3coast, Pacer Services, Inc., and Emerald Resource Group.

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$38,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$88,904Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Modis, Robert Half Technology, and Nigel Frank International.

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$43,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$95,774Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mentor Graphics, Robert Half Technology, CyberCoders, and Nigel Frank International.

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$48,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$91,817Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CompuGroup Technologies, Highmark, Inc., Computer Enterprises, Inc., and Oxford Solutions, Inc..

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$37,000

$169,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island$93,125Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health and Nigel Frank International.

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$47,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$88,388Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Brokers, Inc., COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, and Nigel Frank International.

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$37,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota$81,146Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International.

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$32,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$89,069Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vaco, Vanderbilt University, Vaco – Nashville, and Protege Hunters.

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$39,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$95,423Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Next Generation Recruitment & Staffing Agency, Perspective Talent LLC, Yasmesoft, and MCG Health System.

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$47,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$101,625Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ConsultNet, TEKsystems, University of Utah, and Dash Partners.

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$31,000

$212,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$98,056Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Global Wireless Solutions, Verscend Technologies, Inc., Softthink Solutions, Inc, and SNAP, Inc..

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$38,000

$185,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont$112,545Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

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$56,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$100,951Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ArcSoft Consulting, Elevano, Zillow, and Microsoft.

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$45,000

$178,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$91,171Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Brokers, Inc., Nigel Frank International, Beacon Hill Staffing, and CyberCoders.

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$41,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Business Intelligence Developer. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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