Collecting data, developing hypotheses and testing them by subjecting them to statistical analyses; evaluating available information and determining analytical methods to be used; documenting conclusions in a manner which adheres to commonly accepted criminal justice research standards; conceptualizing and converting raw data to valid criminal intelligence information; creating association matrices and preparing telephone toll analysis, hierarchical analysis, visual investigation analysis, etc.
CAREER
Intelligence Analysts
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$86,940
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+1.1% (little or no change)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Intelligence Analysts Do
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.
Other Job Titles Intelligence Analysts May Have
Anti-Terrorist Analyst, Crime Analyst, Crime and Intelligence Analyst, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Criminal Intelligence Specialist, Criminal Research Specialist, Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Research Specialist, Investigative Research Specialist, Police Crime and Intelligence Analyst
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I research any reports on my assigned "topic," then start doing my own research on the "topic" and assign mid-level and junior analysts. Due to the nature of the work, I cannot get into the classified portion of my work.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
- Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
- Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
- Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.
- Conduct presentations of analytic findings.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Intelligence Analysts
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (42%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Criminal Justice or Social Studies
Suggested Path
Bachelor
History
Bachelor
Mathematics
Bachelor
English
Graduate
History or Math or English
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
I recommend getting an internship first to gain experience and to see if you'd truly like to become a crime analyst. Also, to do this job you need to keep up with modern-day technology and need to be able to adapt to any situation. Criminal justice is an ever-changing field where you try to stay a step ahead of the criminal element.
Seeking out courses online that offer certificates and/or find universities that offer National Security or Intelligence courses.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
If a person does not want to go the military route, they should find a university who offers National Security or Intelligence type programs. Having a 3.0 GPA is a must and having a 3.5 GPA or higher is recommended. Go to job fairs where government agencies are present. Be prepared to start as a junior analyst. Apply to government agencies such as the FBI, CIA, NSA (math majors). DO NOT do drugs, including marijuana. Be prepared to take a Polygraph Test and DO NOT LIE.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.