Intelligence Analyst Salary in 2026
Intelligence analysts collect, analyze, and interpret information to support national security and law enforcement decisions. They identify threats and produce intelligence assessments.
Median Salary
$88,000
$7,333/mo
Entry Level
$55,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$120,000
experienced
Job Growth
+10%
10-yr outlook
Intelligence Analyst Overview
Intelligence analysts collect, analyze, and interpret information to support national security and law enforcement decisions. They identify threats and produce intelligence assessments.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
45K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$42.31/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,333
Intelligence Analyst Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Intelligence Analyst salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Intelligence Analyst Salary
$98,000
$8,167/month · $3,769/biweekly · $47.12/hr
Intelligence Analyst Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Intelligence Analyst field.
Entry-level Intelligence Analysts earn around $55,000, while the top 10% earn $133,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Intelligence Analysts
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $95,000 | +$7,000 |
| Virginia | $93,000 | +$5,000 |
| Colorado | $92,000 | +$4,000 |
| Texas | $86,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $86,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Intelligence Analysts
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $101,000 | +$13,000 |
| Fort Meade | $97,000 | +$9,000 |
| Colorado Springs | $86,000 | $-2,000 |
| Tampa | $84,000 | $-4,000 |
| San Antonio | $83,000 | $-5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Intelligence Analyst Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Intelligence Analyst from entry level to expert.
$55,000
0-2 years
$88,000
3-7 years
$120,000
8-14 years
$147,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Intelligence Analyst Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Intelligence Analyst Salary
How we calculate Intelligence Analyst salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $88,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Intelligence Analyst in the Government sector.
- Entry-level ($55,000) and senior-level ($120,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +10% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 45K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Government sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $88,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Intelligence Analyst compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Intelligence Analyst job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Intelligence Analyst salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Intelligence Analysis, OSINT, Data Mining), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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