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AI has changed how businesses perform in 2025 and will continue to impact business operations in the next few years. To adopt new technologies and perform better, a specialized analyst is what companies are looking for. These professionals are meant to bridge the gap between the goals of a business and technical solutions to achieve them. There are various industries hiring business analysts to analyze requirements, design processes, and ensure that every project delivers measurable value.
In this blog, we will give you information about what type of industries highly demand Business analysts, why there is so much scope in these industries and in which field you can look forward to.
Business Analyst Demand in the Banking and Finance Industry
The financial services sector which includes banking, capital markets, fintech, and payment-related organizations has historically been one of the strongest employers of Business Analysts and remains so for key reasons.
Why The Demand is High
- Banks want analysts with the ability to connect business, technology, and compliance. This is due to the increased usage of digital banking, fintech applications, open banking, blockchain, mobile payments (like UPI in India), and AI-based fraud detection.
- The regulatory load is heavy in such organizations, and BAs help with compliance (e.g., stress-testing, BASEL frameworks), risk management, anti-money laundering, and process integrity.
- Data-driven decision-making, such as setting pricing, credit risk modelling, customer experience, and retention, requires assistance with analysis and translation between business and technology.
- Because of the numerous transformation projects, including the replacement of legacy systems and the disruption caused by fintech entrants, banks require BAs to document requirements, establish procedures, and assess return on investment.
Job Stats & Opportunities
- 24% of business analysis experts say they work in the banking, financial, and insurance (BFSI) sector, according to data from the International Institute of Business Analysis, which conveys the popularity.
- Benchmarks for salaries: According to a Dice.com summary, business analysts in the finance and banking industry in the United States made, on average, $114,000.
- Depending on their organisation and level of experience, business analysts in banking report salaries in India that range from about ₹3 to ₹18 lakhs annually.
Best Industry Among All – Why Banking/Finance
Among the industries in this list, the banking & finance sector arguably offers the best combination of demand, pay-premium, and opportunities for BAs. Regulatory & data intensity mean BAs in finance often command higher pay than in generic industries. The digital-transformation wave is expansive and will continue to require BAs for years. Domain expertise required in this industry is a strong differentiator as fewer Business Analysts have deep finance as well as technology skills. Thus, if you can develop domain skills along with BA skills, this industry is likely the strongest bet.
Business Analyst Jobs in the Healthcare Industry
The healthcare and pharma sector is undergoing a major shift in digitalizing their services, and thus demand for BAs to develop future relevant strategies is rising.
Why The Demand is High
- As wearables, AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, and interoperable electronic health records become more common, emerging systems require analysts who can guarantee IT, clinical, and regulatory alignment.
- Because the healthcare industry is highly regulated by HIPAA and other privacy/data requirements, BAs assist in managing governance and compliance.
- BAs assist in streamlining hospital operations, patient path mapping, cost reduction, and technology rollout because healthcare workflows are complicated.
Job Stats & Opportunities
- Some sources estimate that approximately 11% of new BA positions in certain markets will be in healthcare in the coming years, which conveys the rise in demand in this sector.
- Salary ranges for Business Analyst Jobs in the Healthcare Industry are often quoted as US $75,000–95,000/year for experienced roles.
- Start-ups in health-tech are accelerating, so BAs with both IT + healthcare domain skills are increasingly valuable.
Business Analyst Role in the Retail Industry
Business Analyst Role in the Retail Industry, including e-commerce, is strongly increasing with the increase in the number of retail businesses.
Why The Demand is High
- Retail businesses require BAs to analyse consumer behaviour, purchasing trends, loyalty programs, and omnichannel experiences since customer expectations are changing quickly.
- Business-technology translation is necessary in this industry for supply-chain efficiency, dynamic pricing, inventory analytics, and customisation (AI-driven suggestions).
- The need for analysts who can assist with process transformation and system integration is growing as brick-and-mortar commerce gives way to digital commerce.
Job Stats & Opportunities
- Roughly 9% of worldwide BA employment is estimated to be in the retail sector.
- Year-on-year demand for e-commerce-specialist BAs is rising at ~20% in many markets driven by digital-commerce growth.
- Business Analysts in the Retail sector are instrumental in AI-powered personalisation and real-time analytics.
Business Analyst Opportunities in the Manufacturing Industry
The Manufacturing Industry offers a growing but somewhat niche demand for BAs.
Why The Demand is High
- Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT, robotics, and smart factories are making it necessary for manufacturers to digitise processes. Business Analysts are often needed in this domain to define requirements, analyse workflows, and integrate systems to track maintenance and optimise supply chains.
- The competitive global manufacturing pushes firms to optimise production with reduced waste and improved uptime. This is where BAs help capture value.
- Predictive maintenance, sensor analytics, and supply-chain resilience all need analytic translation between business and engineering teams.
Job Stats & Opportunities
- About 8% of worldwide BA demand is from manufacturing industries. As Industry 4.0 projects drive this increase in demand, job creation is expected to grow by 18% per year in many manufacturing settings.
- BAs with IoT/automation expertise in manufacturing are often commanding higher remuneration than standard BA roles.
Business Analyst Demand in IT and Telecom Industry
The IT and telecommunications sector is a major employer of business analysts and arguably one of the largest.
Why The Demand is High
- Telecom rollouts in the last few years, including 5G and fibre, have made it crucial for cloud adopters, cybersecurity providers, and software-product development businesses to include a business analyst in the team.
- Agile transformations, product-led growth, and platform changes mean BAs who can translate between business strategy and technology execution are required in this industry.
- Business analysts also add value in optimising network operations, customer experience, churn modelling, and new digital products.
Job Stats & Opportunities
- Globally 35% business analysts are found to be working in the IT & telecommunications sector.
- Roles specialising in Agile/Scrum, digital product business analysis are among the most sought-after.
- Pay scale for BAs in IT/telecom is usually ~20-25 % higher than generic non-IT roles.
Salaries in the Business Analyst Domain
Here is a table summarising salary ranges for Business Analysts by region/industry. These are indicative and may vary with experience, organisation, location and specialisation.
Business Analyst Salary by Region & Experience Level
| Region / Industry | Entry Level (~0–2 yrs) | Mid Level (~3–6 yrs) | Senior Level (7+ yrs / Specialist) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. (General BA) | US$55,000 – 80,000 | US$80,000 – 110,000 | US$110,000 – 150,000+ |
| India (Business Analyst) | ₹2 L – 5 LPA | ₹5 L – 12 LPA | ₹12 L – 18 L+ LPA (for 8–9 yrs) |
| India (Banking / Financial BA) | ₹3 L – 8 LPA | ₹8 L – 15 LPA | Up to ~₹18 LPA+ for specialised roles |
Notes:
- In India, metropolitan cities and MNCs often pay at the higher end.
- Experience, certifications, domain expertise and advanced technical skills can impact salaries.
Skills Required to Become a Business Analyst
To succeed as a Business Analyst in any industry, you’ll need a mix of technical, analytical, domain and soft skills. Here is a breakdown:
Core Technical & Analytical Skills
- Data analysis and modelling skills are required as the capacity to decipher massive data sets, identify patterns, and draw conclusions is important
- Knowledge of tools for business intelligence include Tableau, Cognos, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects.
- Gathering and managing requirements such as creating use cases, user stories, and Business Requirements Documents using JIRA or Confluence.
- Process modelling, analysis and enhancing workflows with BPMN along with process mapping tools.
- Domain-specific knowledge for better comprehension of your sector e.g., manufacturing processes, financial products, healthcare routines, etc.
Soft & Interpersonal Skills
- Stakeholder management and communication: BAs must communicate with senior management, IT/development teams, and business users, frequently bridging technical and non-technical gaps.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: the capacity to identify the business issue, identify its underlying causes, and provide remedies.
- To prevent expensive mistakes, attention to detail is especially crucial in regulated sectors like finance and healthcare.
- Knowledge of Agile/Project Methodology: Since many BAs operate in Agile, Scrum, or Kanban environments, it is helpful to comprehend sprint planning and backlog management.
Conclusion
When demand, pay premium, and future transformation potential are taken into account, the banking and finance sector is clearly the best for Business Analysts. As long as you combine BA abilities with domain experience. Retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and IT/telecom are all viable options, each with unique characteristics and prospects for expansion. You’ll be well-positioned for the growing demand for business analysts if you are clear about the industry you want to work in and have the appropriate combination of technical, analytical, and soft skills. Lastly, monitor your future pay and make sure you’re acquiring credentials and experience that will increase your worth.
