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Law & Government

Intelligence Analysts

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$93,790

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$55k – $161k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $105,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Intelligence Analysts

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Intelligence Analysts Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Intelligence Analysts

    Entry / Junior

    $55,390

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Intelligence Analysts

    Established

    $93,790

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Intelligence Analysts

    Senior

    $127,165

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical 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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Law & Government

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.