12 Career Paths You Can Pursue with a Master's in Business Analytics
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Today鈥檚 business landscape is constantly evolving. Earning your MBA in business analytics will increase your visibility and success in a competitive job market. When it comes to master鈥檚 in business analytics jobs, companies often look for candidates who pay meticulous attention to detail and have the ability to apply concrete data to abstract concepts, such as a company鈥檚 needs and goals.
An Overview on Business Analytics Degree Jobs
At its core, a master鈥檚 in business analytics prepares you for a range of M.S. in business analytics careers that focus on leadership and business growth, starting with basic principles and data-driven strategies to make informed decisions. Many master鈥檚 in business analytics job descriptions have a similar foundation, but each has a different concentration.
For example, most data analyst and intelligence positions concentrate on data mining and informational reporting, whereas business and management analyst roles center around applying data into actionable growth strategies for a business.
One of the many advantages as you examine what you can do with a master鈥檚 in business analytics is that there are opportunities in a diverse variety of industries, such as:
- Professional consulting services
- Scientific and technical services
- Research and development
- Insurance
- Finance
- Public administration
- Manufacturing
- Information services
- Broadcasting
- Healthcare
- Social assistance
- Retail
- Education
- Transportation
- Many more
As you can see, there are not many limitations when it comes to careers in business analytics. Within these industries, there are a variety of data-focused career paths to take when it comes to MBA business analytics jobs, including the following.
1. Business Development Manager
The typical job description of a business development manager includes assisting with and identifying growth opportunities for companies, both in terms of revenue and brand recognition. It is crucial for business development managers to have a comprehensive understanding of market trends, foundational drivers of the organization, and competitors within the appropriate industry.
2. Business Systems Analyst
A business systems analyst oversees and inspects a company鈥檚 overall business systems by compiling data and determining opportunities for growth and improvements. This role works closely with end users and management to gain a better understanding of a company鈥檚 database and how it could be used more efficiently. Within this information technology job, experience with software and hardware is valued.
3. Data Architect
The responsibilities of a data architect typically include building and managing an organization鈥檚 database. This role can involve visualization and design solutions, as well as securing database solutions, preparing data reports, and evaluating management framework. The duties of a data architect are largely centered around applied math and statistics.
4. Statistician
For statisticians, some of the primary duties of the role include collecting and organizing data by creating surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls. From there, a statistician dissects the information on an analytical level and draws conclusions based off of the data collected.
5. Data Scientist
According to an annual report of the 50 Best Jobs in America on , data scientists have ranked in the top three options for the past seven years. Typical responsibilities within this role combine computer science and math skills for tasks such as identifying information sources, building predictive machine-learning algorithms, and analyzing data to identify patterns and trends.
In the 妖姬直播 State 鈥淏reaking Down Business鈥 podcast, Dr. Rouzbeh Razavi discussed the SAP Ebola outbreak prediction where data scientists at SAP partnered with Nigeria's Ministry of Health to tackle a massive logistical challenge. With limited medical resources on the ground, the team built predictive models to forecast the direction the disease was most likely to spread.
In the podcast, Dr. Razavi stated, 鈥淚 was very much familiar with the techniques, the algorithms, and predictions, but applying those techniques to solve a problem as important as this 鈥 it was really fascinating for me to be involved in that kind of project.鈥 This example emphasizes that data scientists do much more than just crunch numbers. They solve critical, real-world problems.
6. Application Architect
Businesses rely on application architects to obtain and manage documentation regarding application design processes, software architecture, testing guidelines, and integration. Within this role, it is essential to have a complete understanding of the whole system, including the interactions between abstract components, limitations, and coding requirements.
7. Market Research Analyst
A marketing research analyst is responsible for studying trends and market conditions and then analyzing data on competitors and, most importantly, consumers. A background in analytics is sought within this role because the information collected helps businesses recognize which products and services people are looking for and what price they are willing to pay for them.
8. Business Intelligence Analyst
A business intelligence analyst inspects complex data sets to make key recommendations for a company鈥檚 growth, as well as produces market intelligence and finance reports. This role takes an in-depth and strategic approach to market trends, both internally and externally, in order to improve a business鈥檚 overall performance.
9. Supply Chain Analyst
As a supply chain analyst, you will ensure that everything is moving smoothly I the journey from the supplier to the customer. You will also look at various types of data, including production schedules and information pertinent to transportation systems, to find ways to make systems more efficient. In your role, you will interact with other teams to create new procedures or improve existing ones.
10. Operations Manager
When considering business analytics careers, the role of an operations manager is another viable option. As an operations manager, you will keep the day-to-day operations of an organization on track. You will manage staff, create policies and procedures, and keep an eye on how everything is performing. Operations managers work in diverse industries, including everything from healthcare to hospitality to logistics and more.
11. Risk Analyst
A risk analyst is another business analytics role you could find yourself in, and in this position, you will help predict the consequences of given actions with available data. You will use correlations and patterns found in past events, alongside relevant new data, to determine the best courses of action. A risk analyst identifies liabilities and determines the likelihood of positive and negative outcomes, making them essential team members.
A career as a risk analyst is not just about protecting financial institutions from losses. It is about finding innovative ways to safely expand access to financial services. Dr. Rouzbeh Razavi explained a situation where risk analysts at Commonwealth Bank of Australia built alternative data sources to help users without credit history get a loan. By building complex models that use this alternative data as a proxy for traditional creditworthiness, Commonwealth was able to safely offer credit applicants with no prior history.
12. Data Visualization Analyst
Data visualization is the process of making data more accessible and easier to understand by displaying it visually such as through forms, charts, graphs, and more. As a data visualization analyst, you will use a mix of tools and software to help you do this, presenting findings to diverse audiences, including stakeholders.
2026 Salary Ranges and Growth Projections
When considering what you can do with a Master's in Business Analytics, understanding the long-term financial and industry outlook is key. The chart below displays the 12 career paths鈥 expected earnings and projected market demand. All salary data reflects 2026 U.S. statistics sourced from . Growth projections are sourced from the to display the expected increase or decrease in number of jobs leading up to 2034.
Notably, every business analytics career path listed demonstrates positive job growth, emphasizing the strong demand for those seeking a master鈥檚 degree in business analytics.
| Career | 2026 Salary Range | Growth Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Business Development Manager | $51,000鈥$158,000 | 9% increase |
| Business Systems Analyst | $65,000鈥$157,761 | 9% increase |
| Data Architect | $93,000鈥$215,000 | 9% increase |
| Statistician | $54,000鈥$172,000 | 9% increase |
| Data Scientist | $80,000鈥$213,057 | 34% increase |
| Application Architect | $98,000鈥$233,000 | 15% increase |
| Market Research Analyst | $43,000鈥$182,000 | 7% increase |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $61,600鈥$144,083 | 34% increase |
| Supply Chain Analyst | $52,000鈥$129,000 | 17% increase |
| Operations Manager | $51,194鈥$140,748 | 15% increase |
| Risk Analyst | $56,000鈥$148,295 | 6% increase |
| Data Visualization Analyst | $53,000鈥$138,000 | 34% increase |
Skills to Focus on in MBA Business Analytics Jobs
To thrive in MBA data analytics jobs, it is important to hone in on both hard and soft skills that will be utilized within the different roles. Of course, experience is important, but it is also essential to apply interpersonal skills as well. When looking for business analytics degree jobs, here are some skillsets that are often necessary for a qualified candidate:
- Ability to compile factual and statistical data and effectively present findings
- Strong analytical skills to successfully perform within the role
- Ability to be trusted with and work with sensitive information
- Excellent computer skills to use the required software and databases
- Confident decision-making skills based on factual information
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate closely with C-level executives
Choose 妖姬直播 State for Your M.S. in Business Analytics Online
妖姬直播 State University鈥檚 Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) degree online, which offers the same high standard of teaching and learning that is experienced in person, but with the flexibility of online courses.
With the ability to learn on your own schedule, the online MSBA curriculum encompasses integrative capstone projects, business knowledge and technologies, as well as analytical methods to make strategic decisions in real-world scenarios.
Regardless of the career opportunity you are seeking, our online MSBA will prepare you to excel as a leader in a variety of business analytics degree jobs and MSBA careers. We recognize that today's business world is heavily reliant on data management, which is why we provide our graduate students with a holistic knowledge of analytics.
M.S. in Business Analytics, 2020
FAQs 妖姬直播 Business Analytics Jobs
How do you know if a business analytics degree suits you?
A business analytics career path is best suited for those who:
- Enjoy working with data and solving complex problems
- Want to pivot into analytics from a different industry or role
- Have an interest in business strategy and decision-making
- Want to work in a high-growth, high-demand field
Current MSBA Student
What does a typical day look like for a business analyst?
Some responsibilities that you can expect to tackle as a business analyst include:
- Research
- Reporting
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial modeling
- Variance analysis
- Pricing
- Planning and performance analysis
What is the job outlook for business analyst degree jobs?
There is steady demand for business analytics roles, since any industry can benefit from effective analysis. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of operations research analysts is .
What are some tools that business analysts should be familiar with?
There are many tools that business analyst professionals should be familiar with including data visualization tools (Tableau, QlikView, Power Bl), statistical analysis software (Python, SAS, R), big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark) and business intelligence platforms (SAP BusinessObjects, IBM Cognos).
How does a business analyst compare to a data analyst?
The key difference between these two roles is the area of focus. A data analyst focuses more on using technology to work with massive amounts of information and analyze it closely. Meanwhile, a business analyst focuses on the business implications of data and the actions that should result from them.
What are some responsibilities in business analytics roles?
The main goal of a business analyst is to help in problem-solving by identifying, recommending, and implementing the best solutions. Typical responsibilities of business analytics careers include:
- Delivering necessary information or reports to track progress
- Identifying the company鈥檚 objectives and requirements
- Generating data-driven business recommendations
- Evaluating business problems and market prospects
- Making smart business decisions with the help of data analysis
Contact Us Today to Learn More 妖姬直播 Business Analytics Degree Jobs
For more information about the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship鈥檚 Master of Science in Business Analytics, request information or apply to our grad school today and jump-start your career!
For more resources and tips for choosing the right career after grad school, be sure to check out our .
Also, check out our podcast episode with Dr. Rouzbeh Razavi, director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program at 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 College of Business Administration for expert information on business analytics jobs.