What can you do with a master's in business analytics?
By: Janice Mejías Avilés, Edited by: Marie Custodio Collazo
Published: March 21, 2025
Business analysts use data to implement effective business strategies. Because these professionals are vital across all industries, jobs for business analysts are set to grow in the next decade.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for operations research analysts will grow by 23% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
A master's in business analytics could prepare you to be a top candidate in your chosen specialty. Explore job opportunities, salary information, and career growth paths for business analysts.
What jobs can you get with an online master's in business analytics?
Earning an online master's degree in business analytics can equip you with the skills to analyze data, predict trends, and shape business strategies to drive informed decision-making and optimize operations.
Graduates may explore job opportunities in commerce, consultancy, finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, and marketing.
Some of the fastest-growing analyst roles identified by the BLS include:
Financial analyst
Financial analysts advise businesses and individuals on investment decisions to generate profit. They analyze economic trends and financial data to recommend strategies, prepare reports, and advise on portfolios.
An online master's program in business analytics can teach you essential skills in data analysis and related technology. However, having a background in accounting or finance is necessary for this role.
As a financial analyst, you could work at a bank, insurance company, or investment firm.
- Median annual salary (2023): $99,890
- Job outlook, 2023-33: 9% growth (faster than average)
Management analyst
Management analysts maximize organizational efficiency by forecasting cost reductions and profit increases. They identify problems through research, staff interviews, and financial and operational data analysis.
These professionals provide solutions, recommend new processes or structural changes, and report their findings to senior leadership. Earning a master's degree in business analytics can equip you with these skills.
Management analysts can work in healthcare, communications, supply chain and logistics, and the public sector.
- Median annual salary (2023): $99,410
- Job outlook, 2023-33: 11% growth (much faster than average)
Market research analyst
Market research analysts study consumer behavior, market conditions, and business performance to evaluate the potential of products or services.
Their insights shape marketing strategies, product development, pricing, and sales plans. They often present findings using data visualization and statistical software.
Some online master's in business analytics programs focus on marketing and cover content strategy, digital marketing, and analytics.
Analysts can find roles in industries such as scientific services, finance, insurance, and wholesale trade, as well as at advertising or marketing research firms.
- Median annual salary (2023): $74,680
- Job outlook, 2023-33: 8% growth (much faster than average)
Operations research analyst
Operations research analysts use mathematical modeling and analytical methods to identify and solve business operation problems.
They collect data — often through data mining — and analyze it using statistical or database software. Then they report findings and offer recommendations to help solve problems or create efficiencies within a business.
As an operations research analyst, you could work in the federal government, at private consulting firms, in manufacturing, or in the finance and insurance industries.
- Median annual salary (2023): $83,640
- Job outlook, 2023-33: 23% growth (much faster than average)
What is the salary range for jobs that require a master's in business analytics?
Salaries for graduates with a master's degree in business analytics vary by industry, specialty, and experience. According to the BLS, business analysts earned a median salary between $74,680 and $103,800 in 2023 depending on their specific role.
Professionals in financial services and technology tend to earn on the higher end of this range. Experience and advanced skills in applied statistics, data mining, and data visualization — as well as expertise in Power BI, SQL, Python, and Excel — may boost earning potential.