Protective Service
Intelligence Analysts
Also called: Anti-Terrorist Analyst, Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst), Crime and Intelligence Analyst (Criminal and Intelligence Analyst), Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst)
US median pay
$93,790
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+0.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
7,800
120,500 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
- Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
- Identify gaps in information.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Negotiation3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.3/5
- Law and Government4.1/5
- Public Safety and Security3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Communications and Media3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree65%
- Master's degree13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.