4 Corner Resources

Home » Job Descriptions » BI Developer

BI Developer

Job Description

Every business collects data. Whether it’s merely tracking sales and inventory, gathering demographic information about customers, or observing industry trends, companies need to find ways to manage and access data so they can use it to change and improve. That’s where a Business Intelligence Developer comes in.

Business Intelligence Developers create software that helps businesses access data they’ve collected so they can use it to make informed strategic decisions. A Business Intelligence Developer not only creates and manages requests for data but also presents that data to stakeholders within the company.

In today’s data-driven world, Business Intelligence Developers must be skilled at troubleshooting and analyzing the individual needs of software users and stakeholders. It’s vital for a Business Intelligence Developer to understand how people think, and how to make software easy to use. They also need the communication skills to train users on how to use software to find the information they need.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  • Develop, maintain and support ETL processes using tools such as Microsoft SSIS
  • Create reports and extracts from SQL server and other disparate data sources
  • Create outstanding code in all tiers: user interface, business logic, data access, and database
  • Develop high availability and highly scalable applications
  • Create prototypes and proof of concepts
  • Ensure solutions are released properly, and each release is documented
  • Translate business requirements and problems into innovative technical solutions
  • Participate in user research and usability testing to help improve the user experience
  • Create and maintain unit and functional tests

Education and Background

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, or a related field is required for this position, as well as three to five years of experience in the Business Intelligence field.

Companies also strongly prefer candidates with a minimum of two years of back-end programming experience in languages such as C# or Java as well as three years or more experience in SQL technologies like SSRS, SSIS, and SQL Server.

Skills and Competencies

  • Possess and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to ensure issues are handled in a fair, consistent manner
  • Ability to think logically and troubleshoot issues
  • Motivated to learn new business and technical concepts
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
  • Deep understanding of relational database concepts with a solid knowledge of Cognos 10, SQL and PL/SQL
  • Experience with ETL tools

Compensation

According to Payscale the median annual salary of a Business Intelligence Developer with

1 year of experience:

  • Orlando, Florida: $55,000
  • Tampa, Florida: $55,000
  • Jacksonville, Florida: $55,000
  • Miami, Florida: $57,000
  • Atlanta, Georgia: $61,000
  • Chicago, Illinois: $62,000
  • Houston, Texas: $65,000
  • Los Angeles, California: $61,000
  • New York, New York: $67,000
  • Seattle, Washington: $65,000
  • Overall: $60,000

5 years of experience:

  • Orlando, Florida: $76,000
  • Tampa, Florida: $77,000
  • Jacksonville, Florida: $74,000
  • Miami, Florida: $79,000
  • Atlanta, Georgia: $84,000
  • Chicago, Illinois: $83,000
  • Houston, Texas: $85,000
  • Los Angeles, California: $96,000
  • New York, New York: $97,000
  • Seattle, Washington: $94,000
  • Overall: $88,000

Similar Job Titles

Career Path

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree, students are encouraged to take as many courses as possible in database-related specialties, including Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, SQL, and ETL. Some companies even hire candidates with two-year associate degrees in database administration, or with certificates in database management.

There are many certifications available for Business Intelligence Developers, based on specific database software platforms. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle offer certifications on the products they make. These include Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft MSCE Certified Data Management and Analytics, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics, Oracle Database Certifications, and IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2.

Business Intelligence Developer is not usually an entry-level position, so many employers look for candidates who have held job titles like Computer or Software Programmer or Database Administrator.

Position Trends

Businesses are increasingly looking for more sophisticated software scripts, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) so they can get even more in-depth data about their company. Business owners are hoping that machine learning and AI can help them look at trends and anticipate where customers’ tastes and opinions are heading.

Also, Business Intelligence Developers are required to become more intimately aware of their companies’ data and how it’s collected. Users want to know that the data they are analyzing is statistically valid and reliable. As companies become more data-driven, they are also looking for IT professionals who can teach people in core departments — as well as other stakeholders — how to interpret and use data to help them do their jobs better.

A recent survey of business intelligence users, consultants, and vendors from the Business Application Research Center showed that managing data quality and mastering data is the most critical trend in the business intelligence field in 2020. Data discovery and visualization, as well as establishing a data-driven culture within organizations, were tied for the second-most important.

Job Outlook

As companies become more data-driven and depend on people who can help them collect, access and interpret data to help them strategize and become more efficient, Business Intelligence Developers will be needed to help develop software to access and manage the required data.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Business Intelligence Developer field is expected to grow by nine percent between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average.

Typical Hours

The typical work hours in an office setting for a Business Intelligence Developer are usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Freelance workers are usually able to set their own workdays and hours.

Where You Can Find Jobs

  • 4 Corner Resources
  • Career Builder
  • Glassdoor
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Monster 
  • Zip Recruiter
  • IT Career Finder

Are You Interested in Becoming a Business Intelligence Developer?

We will connect you to one of our headhunters or recruiters to see if you are a perfect fit for one of our job openings. If a job opening does not suit you, we will always keep you in mind as new positions open up. We have vast experience connecting professionals with some of the most well-known organizations in the country. Your next job or career path can be right around the corner. Check out our latest job openings and our blog for career advice.

Feel free to contact us at any time.