Working with Business Intelligence: Roles, Skills, and Salaries
4 April 2025What is Business Intelligence?
By Business Intelligence (BI) we mean a set of techniques, technologies, and practices used to collect, analyze, and present data to support strategic decisions.
These technologies enable companies to transform raw data into valuable information using tools such as data mining, Decision Support Systems (DSS), and predictive analytics. The ultimate goal is to improve business performance, optimize processes, and anticipate market trends.
What roles in Business Intelligence?
The Business Intelligence sector offers numerous roles, each with specific responsibilities and required skills.
Data Analyst: a crucial figure in translating raw data into understandable information for teams within a company, the data analyst collects and analyzes data. They use BI tools to organize and visualize the information, creating reports and dashboards.
Data Scientist: A more advanced role than the data analyst, the data scientist has skills in using complex algorithms, machine learning, and statistics to analyze large volumes of data and create predictive models. Often works on data mining to discover hidden patterns in the data.
Business Intelligence Developer: specializing in the development and implementation of BI solutions within companies, this professional designs, develops, and maintains BI platforms, such as Decision Support Systems (DSS), which enable managers to make informed decisions based on data.
BI Consultant: supports companies in the adoption and implementation of BI solutions.
Chief Data Officer (CDO): leadership role that oversees the entire data management strategy within the company. He or she ensures that business decisions are based on accurate, secure, and timely data.
Data Engineer: focuses on designing, building, and managing the infrastructure required to collect and store data. They work closely with Data Scientists to ensure that the data is ready for analysis.
What are the salaries for business intelligence professionals?
Salaries in the Business Intelligence sector can vary significantly depending on the role, experience, and geographical location.
Data Analyst: an entry-level data analyst typically earns between €25,000 and €35,000 annually. With experience, the salary can rise to €50,000.
Data Scientist: data scientists are in high demand, and their salaries are generally higher.
A junior professional may earn around €40,000-50,000 per year, while an experienced profile can earn up to €70,000 or more annually.
BI Developer: salaries for BI Developers range from €30,000 to €50,000 per year for recent graduates, but can reach €60,000 or more with experience.
BI Consultant: BI consultants can earn between €45,000 and €70,000 annually.
Chief Data Officer (CDO): Executives in the BI sector, such as CDOs, can earn over €100,000 per year, especially in large companies.
What skills are needed to work in this area?
To work in Business Intelligence, a combination of technical and analytical skills is essential. Knowledge of BI tools, software, and platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, SAP BusinessObjects, and others is required. One must be familiar with programming languages (SQL, Python, etc.), which are necessary to manipulate data and create predictive algorithms.
Data mining and advanced data analysis require a solid understanding of these tools. Knowledge of data architectures is crucial; being able to work with relational and non-relational databases (such as NoSQL) is fundamental for managing large data volumes. Additionally, statistical analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills are important. One need to know how to work with DSS (Decision Support Systems): decision support systems that allow you to synthesize information from different sources to facilitate decision making.
Which training paths to choose?
To enter the world of Business Intelligence, it is advisable to pursue further education after a university degree, preferably in a STEM field. A postgraduate course in advanced training is recommended to deepen the necessary knowledge.
Bologna Business School offers programs suited to all levels of experience and desired roles: from full-time Master lasting at least one year, to shorter vertical courses of a few days. Thanks to its learning by doing method, BBS is able to meet every training need in this highly technological and ever-changing world.
Professional Masters
The Professional Master Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Management, a full-time, 12-month, English-language program sponsored by Lab Cini, a landmark of academic research in computer science, is a training program that, thanks in part to its connection with CINECA, an inter-university consortium and home of the supercomputer Leonardo, is aimed at young graduates who want to become professionals capable of managing innovations.
The Professional Master Data Science and Business Analytics, a full-time, 12-month program in English with 500 hours of internships at partner companies, designed for young graduates looking to enter the data analysis field.
Executives Masters
The Executive Master Artificial Intelligence for Business, a 12-month, part-time hybrid program in English, is designed for professionals who want to acquire a solid set of skills to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence in a business context.
Intenship at the end of each pathway guarantees, along with the School’s international faculty and powerful global network, preferential entry into the world of work.
The Executive Master in Business Analytics and Data Science is a part-time, hybrid program (part online, part on-campus) in English, offering all the tools to learn how to read, understand, and use data. It serves as a passport to becoming a key player in the world of innovation, techniques, and technologies related to Big Data and data analysis.
Open Programs
The Open Program Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI, is a 5 days part-time, on-campus program in Italian designed to offer an in-depth and practical understanding of how generative AI can be integrated into business processes to enhance productivity and accelerate innovation.
The (Big) Data and Artificial Intelligence open program, in Italian, part-time 4-day on-campus + 12 online sessions, was created to fill the knowledge gap that incorporates the most advanced technologies, operational models and innovative methodologies in the market. Designed to promote a critical approach to data analysis, this course strengthens decision-making skills and enhances the value of knowledge for professionals already working in the field.
Working in the Business Intelligence world offers numerous professional opportunities in an ever-growing industry. With the proper training and well-structured skill set that Bologna Business School, always updated and able to build programs that meet market demands, it is possible to build a highly rewarding and well-paid career.
