Career Overview
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 Known As
- Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst)
- Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst)
- Intel Analyst (Intelligence Analyst)
- Intel Research Specialist (Intelligence Research Specialist)
Alternate Job Titles
- AI Consultant (Artificial Intelligence Consultant)
- All Source Analyst
- All Source Intelligence Analyst
- Analyst
- Anti-Terrorist Analyst
- Background Specialist
- CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent)
- Competitive Intelligence Analyst
- Computer Network Defense Analyst
- Counterintelligence Agent
- Counterintelligence Analyst
- Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst)
- Crime and Intelligence Analyst (Criminal and Intelligence Analyst)
- Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst)
- Crime Intelligence Specialist (Criminal Intelligence Specialist)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Hive
- Apache Kafka
- Apache Spark
- C++
- Django
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Hypertext markup language HTML
Tools & Equipment
- Color copiers
- Color laser printers
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital still cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Document scanners
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Multimedia presentation projectors
- Plotting printers
- Smart phones
- Statistical calculators
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
- Spend Time Sitting
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Detectives and Criminal Investigators occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Intelligence Analysts.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $54,160 |
| Median | $93,580 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $159,410 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 110,790
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
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Private Detectives and Investigators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $52,370
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
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Information Security Analysts
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $124,910
Data Scientists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $112,590
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.