what is a business intelligence developer?
Which is easier to read: pages of data strings or charts that convert data into clean visuals? Business intelligence (BI) software stores, compiles and presents data so that anyone can interpret metrics even if they struggle with technology. This enables companies to streamline their business models.
For example, a BI dashboard could display the number of sales in each state. Leaders use that information to determine whether they should increase marketing in certain states or focus on existing customers. They can also track their progress and adjust their marketing plans throughout the cycle. As a result, profits could double or triple.
As a business intelligence developer, you create, monitor and troubleshoot this software so that your programs experience minimal downtime. Sometimes, you'll create new software to meet your company's needs. Other times, you'll streamline existing platforms or build tools to supplement the data.
Business intelligence developers may customize their tools for specific clients. For example, a corporation needs to track sales throughout the United States, while small businesses focus on nearby cities. You may integrate your tools with other software, such as Microsoft Excel, so that coworkers don't have to jump between different platforms.
Would working as a business intelligence developer suit your technology skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a business intelligence developer role.
view jobs near youaverage business intelligence developer salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers, which includes business intelligence developers, have a median pay of $127,260 per year. Employees on the lower end earned $71,280 per year, while the top 10% of earners received $198,100 each year.
In May 2022, software developers who worked in manufacturing had an annual median salary of $132,130. The finance and insurance industries paid $128,960, while company management offered $127,880 per year. You can boost your salary by switching to different industries, but higher wages may require more experience.
Once you've worked as a business intelligence developer for several years, you can start negotiating your salary. Research the average pay rate in your area, then schedule a meeting with the HR manager when they submit a job offer. Point out the average salary to ensure that they don't underpay you. Additionally, highlight your skills, experience and accomplishments to build your case for higher wages.
You can also take this time to negotiate for better benefits. Your benefits package may include health insurance, sick leave, paid vacation time, life insurance, stock options and a retirement plan. Experienced business intelligence developers could negotiate for more stock options, increased vacation time and other perks.
Wondering what you can earn as a business intelligence developer? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a business intelligence developer is.
types of business intelligence developer
Business intelligence developers work in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, insurance, technology, government and healthcare. If you've held different jobs in an industry, such as retail or food service, you'll have an advantage when you join that field. You'll pick up knowledge as you go so that you can perfect your services.
Each industry has a unique set of needs. For example, food service workers need restaurant data, such as inventory counts and popular items, to keep their business running. You'll design tools that analyze these specific metrics.
working as a business intelligence developer
Business intelligence developers work with clients ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Learn what you'll need to guarantee their success.
-
business intelligence developer job description
What does a business intelligence developer do? To start, you'll work with three data layers. The data source layer contains raw information that you'll convert into visuals. Next, the warehouse layer stores information in a single space. Your tools pull data from the warehouse layer to create the reporting layer, which is the dashboard that your coworkers view.
Business intelligence developers tailor their services to their clients' needs. While some businesses focus on sales, others need information about consumer health, demographics, budgets or marketing strategies. Common metrics include:
- conversions
- web traffic
- sales by demographic
- sales by location
- expenses
- processed returns
- inventory counts
- popular items
- data trends
Once you've developed a plan, you'll build tools that incorporate all three data layers. You'll document your work throughout the process so that other developers can refer to it later. Similarly, you'll store and back up data, allowing your colleagues to view metrics if a server goes down.
Your clients count on you to maintain and troubleshoot software. Likewise, you'll look for ways to improve your programs. Sometimes, this means reporting new metrics so that clients can evaluate their business from a different angle. Other times, you'll remove unnecessary metrics or consolidate data.
Business intelligence developers also design dashboards. When colleagues sign in, they see the charts, graphs, maps and metrics that you arranged for their convenience. You may work alongside a team of developers to complete the project.
-
business intelligence developer work environment
Business intelligence developers work indoors in offices. Generally, CEOs locate their companies in urban or city settings. If you work in person, you may have a private cubicle and collaborate with colleagues in a meeting room. Your job involves sitting at a desk for long periods of time.
Some employers may allow you to work from home. You could work in your home office permanently or spend half the week at home and the other half at the business. You might attend virtual meetings and visit the business for important events, such as presentations for CEOs.
-
who are your colleagues?
Your collaboration team may include fellow business intelligence developers and project leads. Other colleagues may include ETL (extract, transfer, load) developers who build data warehouses for your software. You'll also show leaders and coworkers how to use the software, answer their questions and perform maintenance. At times, you may talk to analysts to figure out what your client wants to achieve. Business colleagues may include janitors, secretaries, payroll managers and HR professionals.
-
work schedule
Most business intelligence developers work 40 hours a week during regular business hours. Part-time positions are rare because your position requires extensive knowledge. Freelance BI developers may have more flexible shifts, but permanent developers adhere to the company's schedule.
You might have to work on nights, early mornings or weekends if a project falls behind schedule. With overtime, a business intelligence developer could clock 50 or more hours a week. Fortunately, most employers offer overtime pay, plus the possibility of bonuses throughout the year.
Typically, business intelligence developers receive paid holidays, vacation time and sick leave. However, you might have to rearrange your schedule if an emergency strikes, such as a software crash. BI developers generally accrue more sick leave and vacation time when they stay with an employer for several years.
-
job outlook for business intelligence developer
Business intelligence developers have a positive job outlook because more employers are relying on technology, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their business models. Your expertise helps them interpret data without relying on technology experts. They view their metrics at a glance, then make important decisions.
Similarly, business intelligence developers help outdated companies keep up with their competitors. If they're relying on old software and useless metrics, you'll upgrade their system and provide access to a wealth of data. Suddenly, they can make advancements that seemed impossible a month before.
As people retire, more positions will open for newcomers. You could potentially work at the same company until you retire. Some software developers transition to consulting jobs when they near retirement age.
Similar jobs include data warehouse developer, back-end software engineer, data analyst, Python developer and network administrator. You can apply many of your business intelligence developer skills to these positions.
-
benefits of working for randstad as a business intelligence developer
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a business intelligence developer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
business intelligence developer skills and education
Employers prefer business intelligence developers with a bachelor's or master's degree in a technology-related field. Generally, a high school diploma or associate's degree isn't enough because you need detailed programming knowledge. For a head start, you could earn a degree while working in another technology-related field, which adds experience to your resume.
Some companies offer internship programs where you work at a software company while earning your degree. Not all employers pay you, but you'll gain hands-on experience and networking opportunities. You might even slide into a full-time position at the same company once you graduate.
Business intelligence developers often supplement their degrees with professional certificates, such as:
- IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate
- SAP Certified Application Associate: SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform 4.3
- Certified Business Intelligence Professional
- SAS Certified Specialist: Visual Business Analytics
- Tableau Server Certified Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
To earn certifications, you'll pay a fee and pass at least one exam that covers a variety of subjects. When you're starting out, you can earn basic certifications with smaller fees. Later, you'll earn more advanced certificates that require experience, education and advanced knowledge.
skills and competencies
Business intelligence developers understand programming languages, such as Python, Java, SQL, Ruby and SAS. You can work with BI and ETL tools and operate on various platforms. You'll also know how to store and back up data, preserving your client's valuable information.
Likewise, business intelligence developers know how to convert metrics into clear, accessible visuals. With your data visualization skills, you'll determine which metrics your client needs, how to arrange them on the dashboard and which image they need for each statistic. For example, graphs can display sales by type, while a map is more appropriate for organizing sales by location.
Business intelligence developers are also problem solvers. If your client isn't making sales, you'll figure out what their dashboard is missing. Maybe you need to pull from a new data set, redesign the interface, consolidate raw data or simplify the graphs. You'll also know when it's time to upgrade their software.
Finally, BI developers are positive, friendly people who take the time to understand their employer's needs. You'll suggest improvements before an issue arises and possibly present your work to CEOs and shareholders. When you attend conferences, you represent your company in a courteous, professional manner.
FAQs about working as a business intelligence developer
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about business intelligence developers.
-
how much education do business intelligence developers need?
Business intelligence developers need at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a technology-related field, such as engineering or computer science. Employers also look for certifications that prove that you've mastered your knowledge and achieved a certain level of experience. Beginner certifications are easier and more affordable, while advanced certifications can require weeks of studying and cost a few hundred dollars.
-
can business intelligence developers make six-figure salaries?
Business intelligence developers can make six-figure salaries if you find a high-paying industry and earn several years of experience. The top 10% of earners make over $120,000 per year, plus benefits. Even if you don't make six figures, you can expect a decent salary because BI developer jobs require advanced degrees.
-
do business intelligence developers work from home?
Some business intelligence developers work from home, answering emails and attending virtual meetings. Your employer may offer a permanent work-from-home position or ask you to visit the office two or three days a week. Freelance BI developers may have more flexible schedules.
-
are business intelligence developers also computer programmers?
While business intelligence developers work with programming languages, such as SQL, Java and Python, you're not strictly computer programmers. Instead, you figure out what your employer needs, then design tools that help them reach their goals. You'll also improve existing technologies and document your work.
-
how do business intelligence developers help companies increase sales?
Business intelligence developers have a technological proficiency that other people don't possess, making it difficult for them to parse data. You convert data into graphs, maps and charts with clear labels and figures. As a result, anyone can understand business metrics and make essential decisions.
-
how do I find a job as a business intelligence developer?
Applying for a business intelligence developer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our data engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
