How to become an Intelligence Analyst
Official title: Intelligence Analysts
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), Intel Research Specialist (Intelligence Research Specialist), Investigative Intel Analysts (Investigative Intelligence Analysts), Police Crime and Intel Analyst (Police Crime and Intelligence Analyst), Terrorism Research Specialist
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
How to become one
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Cyber All Source Analyst.
- Apprenticeship: Cyber Intel Planner.
- College: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $93,790 a year The middle half earn $69,330 to $120,520.
- About 120,500 people work in this job now, and about 120,700 are projected by 2035. (+0.2%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Police Identification and Records Officers
- Bailiffs
- Correctional Officers and Jailers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Parking Enforcement Workers
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Intelligence Analyst?
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
How much does an Intelligence Analyst earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $93,790 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $69,330 to $120,520.
Is an Intelligence Analyst a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 120,500 people now and 120,700 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Intelligence Analyst?
Usually. 64% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Intelligence Analyst?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.