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Career overview · SOC 33-3021

Intelligence Analysts

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 called: Anti-Terrorist Analyst · Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst) · Crime and Intelligence Analyst (Criminal and Intelligence Analyst) · Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst) · Crime Research Specialist (Criminal Research Specialist) · Intel Analyst (Intelligence Analyst)

Median pay (national)
$93,580
$54,160–$159,410 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
110,790
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.7%
~7,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for intelligence analysts shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $159,410 versus $54,160 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $93,580 leaves roughly 70% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 7,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Maryland pays the most for this role (median $125,630, +34% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $53,460 — a 135% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
  • Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
  • 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.
  • Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.
  • Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
  • Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
  • Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
  • Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
  • Identify gaps in information.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • 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 Azure software

Knowledge areas

  • English Language
  • Law and Government
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administrative
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Communications and Media
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Telecommunications