3 Purposes for Business Analysts' Certification

By 2024, it is predicted that there will be a 14 percent increase in need for business analysts. By obtaining business analyst certificates, people can better position themselves to enter this industry. Additionally, those already employed in the field can broaden and update their skill set as well as boost their earning potential by receiving a BA certification.  

The Benefits of Getting a Business Analyst Certification

Getting certified is frequently not necessary to work as a business analyst. However, it can facilitate admission into the area and aid with the professional advancement of present BAs.  

You should think about obtaining a business analyst certification for the following reasons:

1. Certification validates your skill set -- Getting certified is a great way to build credibility as a business analyst. Hiring managers are very interested in hearing real-life examples of how you utilized your business analysis skills in the past, but they also appreciate having it proven to them by a highly objective source that you possess those skills.

Certification validates your skills as a business analyst. If your skill set is already impressive, certification makes it obvious to potential employers. If your skill set is not yet where you want it to be (i.e., if you are just starting out), a foundational business analyst certification will equip you with competencies that can open up a whole new world of opportunity.

2. Certification can help to increase your salary -- The average entry-level salary for a BA is at least $67,000.2 While generous pay is not usually the main reason people choose to pursue a career in business analysis, it’s certainly a perk of the job.  

To increase your earning potential as a business analyst, invest in certification. The ROI can be considerable. For example, the global average (non-entry-level) for women is $78,980, and $75,410 for men. “In comparison, the average salary of top 5 certification holders came in at $85,804, or an 11% increase in earnings, showing a significant advantage to pursuing a certification,” per Business Analyst Salary.

By investing in certification, you are helping to increase your future paychecks.

3. Certification builds your peer network -- According to LinkedIn, 85 percent of jobs are filled via networking. This statistic explains why business analysts (or any professional, for that matter), should put concentrated effort into networking.

There are many ways business analysts can network, including getting certified. “Joining a study group or taking an exam preparation class is a common way to begin your preparation for (a business analyst) certification,” stated Watermark Learning. “The chance to meet and interact with peers seeking the same objective is an invaluable networking opportunity.”

Networking doesn’t have to be a separate activity from training. Getting certified as a business analyst helps you kill two birds with one stone.

Certification Helps Grow Your Business Analysis Career

Professionals across a number of industries can benefit from certification. In the field of business analysis, certification validates professionals’ skills, helps to increase their salary, and builds their peer network.  

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