Top 10 Business Analytics careers (and their salaries) in the UK 2025

The race for data talent is accelerating. As businesses fight to stay competitive in fast-changing markets, the need for skilled analytics professionals is growing faster than ever. The global big data market was worth US $327.26 billion in 2023 and is set to grow by almost 15% a year until 2030 (Grand View Research).

Jobs requiring business analytics skills have surged by 20% in the last 12 months and 82% over the past five years (Lightcast), creating thousands of new opportunities. Salaries are rising in response, with the global median salary climbing to £75.2k globally (Lightcast).

If you’re thinking about a career in analytics, now is the time. Our guide to the top ten business analytics careers in the UK for 2025 has everything you need to know, including salaries and job listing numbers*, helping you discover the perfect fit.

1. Business Analyst

UK average salary - £54,976

UK job listings: 20,242 | Global job listings: 431,246

Business Analysts play a critical role in bridging the gap between business objectives and technical solutions. They analyse processes, gather requirements and provide data-driven recommendations to improve efficiency. This role is ideal for you if you enjoy problem-solving and working closely with stakeholders.

Key specialised skills:

• Business Analysis
• Business Requirements
• Agile Methodology
• Business Process
• Project Management

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Problem- solving
• Management
• Operations
• Detail -oriented

1. Business Analysis Manager

UK average salary - £67,456

UK job listings: 513 | Global job listings: 25,403

Business Analysis Managers oversee teams of analysts and lead strategic business initiatives. They shape analysis frameworks, align projects with organisational goals, and ensure recommendations deliver measurable impact. This senior position requires both analytical expertise and strong leadership.

Key specialised skills:

• Business Analysis
• Project Management
• Agile Methodology
• Stakeholder Management

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Management
• Leadership
• Influencing
• Decision-making

1. Data Analyst

UK average salary - £40,128

UK job listings:17,680 | Global job listings: 269,361

Data Analysts collect, clean and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They turn raw information into meaningful insights through visualisations, reports and statistical techniques. This role provides an entry point into the broader analytics field, offering extensive exposure to various tools and methods.

Key specialised skills:

• Data analysis
• SQL
• Power BI
• Python
• Data Visualisation

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Detail-oriented
• Management
• Decision-making

1. Data Analytics Manager

UK average salary £57,984

UK jobs listings: 4,070 | Global job listings: 31,478

Data Analytics Managers lead analytics teams and define strategies for leveraging data across the organisation. They ensure reporting frameworks are effective, communicate insights to senior leadership and align analytics initiatives with business goals. It’s a strategic, high-impact role for experienced analysts.

Key specialised skills:

• Data Analysis
• SQL
• Power BI
• Dashboard
• Python

Key common skills:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Management
• Problem-solving

1. Business Intelligence Analyst

UK average salary - £54,900

UK job listings: 9,235| Global job listings: 434,985

Business Intelligence Analysts focus on extracting actionable insights from complex data sets. They design dashboards, build reports and help businesses effectively monitor their performance. This role is ideal for professionals who combine analytical skills with a strong understanding of business operations.

Key specialised skills:

• SAP Applications
• Finance
• Business Process
• Business Requirements
• Business Intelligence

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Management
• Problem-solving
• Consulting
• Sales

1. Analytics Manager

UK average salary - £60,032

UK job listings: 4,958 | Global job listings: 47,763

Analytics Managers oversee the delivery of analytics initiatives, ensuring data is used effectively to drive performance. They set priorities, develop data governance practices and lead teams of analysts and data professionals. This is a leadership role that blends strategic vision with operational execution.

Key specialised skills:

• Data Analysis
• SQL
• Power BI
• Python
• Data Science

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Innovation
• Management

1. Business Intelligence Developer

UK average salary - £58,800

UK job listings: 6,418 | Global job listings: 197,558

Business Intelligence Developers design and build the technical systems that support data analysis. They manage data pipelines, develop BI platforms and optimise reporting tools to meet organisational needs. This is a hands-on technical role well suited to those with strong development skills.

Key specialised skills:

• SQL
• Business Intelligence
• Power BI
• Data Modelling
• Dashboard

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Management
• Innovation
• Detail-oriented

1. Database Architect

UK average salary - £57,280

UK job listings: 17,155 | Global job listings: 287,546

Database Architects design and optimise the structures that store and manage organisational data. They ensure systems are scalable, secure and able to handle complex data requirements. Their work underpins virtually every analytics function in a modern business.

Key specialised skills:

• Data Management
• Data Governance
• Data Quality
• Data Analysis
• Data Architecture

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Management
• Leadership
• Governance
• Problem-solving

1. Analytics Product Manager

UK average salary: £75,136

UK job listings: 928 | Global job listings: 16,015

Analytics Product Managers define the vision and strategy for analytics products and tools within an organisation. They work across teams to deliver solutions that enable better decision-making, prioritising features and ensuring alignment with business needs. This role suits those who combine product thinking with analytical expertise.

Key specialised skills:

• Data Analysis
• SQL
• New Product Development
• Product Management
• Python

Key soft skills:

• Communication
• Influencing
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Management

1. Strategic Planner/Analyst

UK average salary - £60,032

UK job listings: 2,601 | Global job listings: 126,349

Strategic Planners use data to shape long-term business strategies. They analyse market trends, assess performance, and provide recommendations to guide investment and operational decisions. It’s a role that blends analytics with high-level strategic thinking.

Key specialised skills:

• Finance
• Data Analysis
• Marketing
• Business Strategies
• Stakeholder Management

Key soft skills:

• Planning
• Communication
• Leadership
• Strategic planning
• Management

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Designed by leading global companies including Google, IBM, Salesforce, Tableau, AWS and Microsoft, these short, flexible courses help you build practical, job-ready skills that complement your core analytics learning and strengthen your employability in a competitive market.

Start your career in data

The UK business analytics landscape in 2025 offers diverse and lucrative opportunities for professionals at every level. Whether you're just starting or aiming to move into leadership, the demand for data expertise is only set to grow.

Start your career in data with our online MSc Business Analytics programme.

*Average salaries, job listings and key skills taken from Lightcast.