Program Analyst Salary

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
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The following article discusses the career path of Program Analyst. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Program Analysts.

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Job Duties

Program analysts are responsible for the creation of computer programs, or improving on existing ones. This means they write the program’s language code, make sure it is free of errors, and test it. Furthermore, they have to train the staff in the organization so that they can effectively and correctly use the programs.

They starts with a planning stage. They then identify the needs that exist in terms of developing a program, after which they plan to design it in such a way that the needs of the organization are met. They evaluate the requests made by the business and they start to think about how to use a computer program as a solution.

Once they start developing the program, they must constantly communicate with the organization. In so doing, they will be aware of any adjustments that have to be made and they can put those in place before they continue with the design and development. Once the business or the individual users approve of the plan, the program analysts will start to write the actual code. This means they must have extensive knowledge of coding language and computer programming as well.

Once the program has been developed and the code has been written, they will run their systems to test it properly. In the testing phase, they look at efficiency, user-friendliness, and effectiveness. Additionally, if they encounter any errors, they can fix those by making the necessary changes, after which they restart the testing phase. Once all errors have been corrected, the program is ready for deployment. A program analyst often has to run training sessions and write training manuals on how to properly use the program that was created.

Other job duties of a program analyst are:

  • To gather and review data to produce reports, recommendations, assessments, and forecasts
  • To create metrics and their definitions, particularly in relation to risk management
  • To train others within the organization on reporting systems and software
  • To support metrics development and requirements, data quality assessments, definitions, and strategic analysis

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 294,900 computer programmers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 38%
  • Finance and insurance: 7%
  • Software publishers: 7%
  • Manufacturing: 5%
  • Self-employed workers: 5%

How to Become

Program analysts usually have at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in computer science or related field.

Education Requirements

Generally, a program analyst has to hold a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. However, a lot of companies do accept those who have other types of training, particularly if that somehow relates to specific programming languages. Often, the degree is in the computer sciences. A program analyst can work in a range of different types of businesses, such as accounting companies or health care providers, and they may undergo additional training to supplement their bachelor’s degree training. Furthermore, experience is highly valued.

Often, a program analyst has had an interest in computer languages since being in school. However, it is advisable to also complete a degree in computer science, because this enhances their overall computer language skills. Additionally, they will be directly trained in testing programs, writing code, fixing errors, and doing everything else that is needed from a program analyst.

Because technology changes rapidly, a program analyst is also expected to take part in continuing education, attend seminars for professional developments, take classes in program language, and learn about upgrades to the things the have already studied.

There is no legal requirement for a program analyst to be certified or licensed. However, it is appreciated, as it demonstrates a commitment to excellence. Most certifications are offered by vendors and are specific to their programs.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective program analysts have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Ability to concentrate
  • Detail oriented
  • Excellent troubleshooting skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Program Analyst was $78,849. This number is estimated from over 1,421,624 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $41.07 and monthly of $6,571.

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$23,000

$167,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Program Analyst salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $90,321 while Idaho had the smallest quoted salary of $43,468.

Alaska Iowa Missouri Pennsylvania
Alabama Idaho Mississippi South Carolina
Arkansas Illinois Montana Tennessee
Arizona Indiana North Carolina Texas
California Kansas Nebraska Utah
Colorado Kentucky New Jersey Virginia
Connecticut Louisiana New Mexico Vermont
DC Massachusetts Nevada Washington
Delaware Maryland New York Wisconsin
Florida Maine Ohio West Virginia
Georgia Michigan Oklahoma Wyoming
Hawaii Minnesota Oregon
Alaska – $73,259 Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Federal Government Jobs, and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$21,000

$157,000

Salary Distribution
Alabama – $78,045 Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Department Of Defense, Federal Government Jobs, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Air Force.

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  • Most Reported
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$21,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $55,055 Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Arkansas, U.S. Army, and Federal Government Jobs.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $68,044 Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of the Interior.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$156,000

Salary Distribution
California – $59,388 Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation, Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, Department of Labor, and Department of Homeland Security.

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  • Most Reported
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$2,500

$7,600

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $76,680 Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Department Of Defense, Federal Government Jobs, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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  • Most Reported
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$24,000

$157,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $78,479 Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and IQ Pipeline, LLC.

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  • Most Reported
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$31,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $90,321 Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indian Health Service, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and FBI.

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$30,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $58,643 Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like JPMorgan Chase.

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$21,000

$115,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $60,208 Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Air Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Department of State.

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  • Most Reported
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$17,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $66,442 Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Government Jobs, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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  • Most Reported
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$19,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii – $74,352 Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Federal Government Jobs.

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$27,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $75,138 Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

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$22,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $43,468 Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IDAHO DEPT. OF LABOR.

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$11.35

$34.10

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $75,846 Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Labor, Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Department of State.

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  • Most Reported
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$24,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $59,417 Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, United States Department Of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $63,982 Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Postal Service, U.S. Army, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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  • Most Reported
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$21,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $60,654 Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, Proxy Personnel, and Louisville Metro Government.

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  • Most Reported
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$18,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $65,441 Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Robert Half Technology, and U.S. Army.

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$22,000

$131,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $68,271 Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, and Beyond Management Inc..

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  • Most Reported
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$20,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $85,729 Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, United States Department Of Defense, and USAJOBS.

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$28,000

$174,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $64,073 Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs and SVM Elite.

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  • Most Reported
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$17,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $62,446 Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, and Wayne State University.

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$20,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $64,165 Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Computer Programs and Systems, Inc., Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Air Force.

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$25,000

$119,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $66,646 Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, and Humana.

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  • Most Reported
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$22,000

$135,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $61,131 Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$23,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Montana – $63,544 Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs and State of Montana.

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$32,000

$103,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $74,610 Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Air Force.

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  • Most Reported
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$27,000

$144,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $59,257 Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Federal Government Jobs, and Department of Homeland Security.

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  • Most Reported
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$17,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $66,778 Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Transportation, DVR Softek, Inc, Department of Homeland Security, and Rutgers University.

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  • Most Reported
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$27,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $68,215 Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Federal Government Jobs.

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  • Most Reported
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$19,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $58,457 Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and Lyon County Human Services.

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  • Most Reported
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$15,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $68,880 Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Labor, Federal Government Jobs, JPMorgan Chase, and Department of Homeland Security.

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  • Most Reported
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$17,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $71,266 Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Air Force Acquisition, U.S. Air Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Federal Government Jobs.

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  • Most Reported
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$23,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $71,317 Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Air Force Acquisition, U.S. Air Force, Federal Government Jobs, and Department of Transportation.

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  • Most Reported
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$26,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $64,518 Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, State of Oregon, U.S. Army, and Oregon Health Authority.

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  • Most Reported
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$26,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $70,017 Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like US General Services Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, and Federal Government Jobs.

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  • Most Reported
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$22,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $64,220 Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$27,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $64,598 Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Government Jobs, and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$23,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $71,802 Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Internal Revenue Service, Transportation Security Admininstration, U.S. Navy, and Department of Homeland Security.

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  • Most Reported
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$25,000

$142,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $70,124 Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Air Force Acquisition, Indian Health Service, and Federal Government Jobs.

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  • Most Reported
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$27,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $87,827 Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Army, and U.S. Department of Commerce.

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  • Most Reported
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$29,000

$178,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $74,345 Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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$30,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Washington – $76,598 Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Federal Government Jobs, Department of Transportation, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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  • Most Reported
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$27,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $62,066 Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army.

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$23,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia – $76,180 Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs.

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$14,000

$190,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $53,285 Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior and State of Wyoming.

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$22,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

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

Employer Name Location Average Salary
Indian Health Service DC $123,339
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau DC $117,260
Internal Revenue Service Arizona $115,385
Citi New York $113,076
Department of Energy Colorado $112,870
FBI DC $108,486
USAJOBS Maryland $107,697
US General Services Administration DC $105,755
BSEE Virginia $104,533
U.S. Navy Maryland $104,373
National Protection and Programs Directorate Virginia $104,247
Department Of Housing And Urban Development DC $103,200
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for DC DC $102,469
United States Department Of Defense Virginia $102,399
U.S. Coast Guard DC $102,197
Consumer Product Safety Commission Maryland $101,764
Federal Government Jobs DC $101,743

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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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