General Overview of the Amazon Business Analyst Position
Working as an Amazon Business Analyst would require the knowledge of business metrics, team-playing skills, and reporting systems. You would also have to execute your knowledge for business improvement.
The attractive pay is one of the reasons many covet this position, along with an opportunity to work in one of the biggest companies. Anyone with the right qualifications and skills can get this job.
We have also compared it against data analyst, data engineering, and data scientist positions. Many make the mistake of applying for all of these positions without considering their qualifications fit. This guide will help you know if you should apply as an Amazon business analyst or other data position.
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Amazon Business Analyst Salaries
The salary of an Amazon business analyst usually falls within the range of $90,000 to $110,000. On average, an Amazon business analyst is paid $93,408 annually. This figure includes a base salary and bonus. You also get stocks in the company.
Your earning power is determined by your certifications, education, skills, and experience like any other industry. Your country and state might also play a part in the salary. As you rise in levels, a business analyst can earn even more. The base salary of a level 6 business analyst can be up to $127,000 annually.
The Amazon business analyst position offers better than the average for business analysts elsewhere in the United States. According to Glassdoor, business analysts in the United States average about $78,046, so Amazon pays its business analyst 18% higher than the average salary for the position.
Amazon Business Analyst Salary vs. Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Data Engineer Salary
If you are qualified for more than one position at Amazon, you will want to compare the possible salaries to know which one to choose.
- The Amazon data scientist position is paid an average of $164,114 annually, with a salary range of $110,000 to $217,000.
- For a data analyst position, the average salary expectation is $102,236 annually, ranging from $65,000 to $136,000.
- An Amazon data engineer gets paid an average of $123,602 within the range of $100,000 to $235,276.
Generally, these positions get higher salaries at Amazon then at a business analyst. However, don’t forget that your salary also depends on your qualifications. You can always negotiate for more if you are appropriately qualified.
Qualifications for Amazon Business Analyst
A prospective Amazon business analyst should have the following basic qualifications to get the position. They include;
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, statistics, or other related fields
- 3+ years of relevant experience
- Business metrics formulation skills for reporting and data visualization
- Sound knowledge of Microsoft Excel and SQL
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams to implement projects
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
- Outstanding organizational skills
You can get an Amazon business analyst position with these essential qualifications. However, these preferred qualifications will help you secure the position. They are;
- A Master’s degree
- Advanced knowledge of API, ETL, data mining, and data warehouse
- Strong knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma
- Experiential knowledge of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
The basic qualifications will get you in the door. These preferred qualifications can get you a higher-level position and salary.
Tip: Try and practice the latest Amazon SQL questions here!
Amazon Business Analyst Qualifications vs. Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Data Engineer Qualifications
These four positions generally share some similarities and are often confused, but the qualifications differ in some ways.
Similarities in Qualification Requirements
- Knowledge of data mining, processing, and visualization skills
- Proficiency in SQL
- Expert analytical skills
- Good communication skills
Differences in Qualification Requirements for Data Team
- Degree in Data Science, Data Analytics/Statistics, or Engineering-related courses
- Strong programming skills including Python, R, MATLAB, C++, Stata, and CQL
- Deep and Machine Learning design and implementation skills
- Excellent analytical skills in processing large data sets
A data scientist, analyst, or engineer will need more mathematical and analytical skills, while a business analyst will need analytical skills and business knowledge. With additional training, a business analyst can qualify for any other position and vice versa.
Roles and Required Experience for Amazon Business Analyst
The roles of an Amazon Business analyst are not so far-fetched from the industry’s standards. The required experience is from three years upward of relevant employment. Some of the roles that you will have play as an Amazon business analyst includes;
- Design, develop, and maintain data metrics, analysis, and reports for effective business decisions.
- Provide regular reports based on trends identified through data mining and analysis tools.
- Compile retrieved and aggregated data into an actionable and digestible format.
- Use Six-Sigma and Kaizen projects to drive Lean efforts in operational areas.
- Develop new metrics and improve existing ones for business growth and sustainability.
- Communicate business insights and analysis to stakeholders and leaders.
- Join industry networks to stay in touch with trends and improve knowledge.
Unlike other business analysts, Amazon business analysts do data analysis instead of gathering the data. Ensure you have experience in data analysis before applying for the job.
Differences between the Roles and Required Experience for Amazon Business Analyst and Data Scientist, Analyst and Engineer
The three Amazon data science roles focus more on data than applying the data for business decisions. The role of the data analyst is the one closest to that of the business analyst. However, the data analyst only analyzes the data, defines metrics, and builds end-to-end reporting solutions.
The business analyst uses this analysis to develop new metrics for the business. It is also the role of the business analyst to communicate and interpret this analysis for internal and external stakeholders.
On the other hand, the data engineer builds and maintains the tools and data architecture. In Amazon, this role will involve working with one of the world’s largest data lakes. An understanding of data warehouse solutions will also be required.
Data scientists are in charge of the entire data team and can understand the roles of the data analyst and engineer. This position will work with Big Data and needs to understand and interpret it correctly. It also requires work on structured and unstructured data to produce results beneficial to the company.
While an Amazon business analyst will work closely with the data team, they do not have roles.
Types of Business Analyst Positions at Amazon
Amazon business analyst positions can be offered at different levels. Your qualification will determine your level in the organization. You can be employed in any of these business analyst positions;
- Entry Level (Level 4)
- Middle Level (Level 5)
- Senior Level (Level 6)
Your level would also determine your salary and access to benefits. Amazon gives annual bonuses and promotions to employees. So, get those additional skills you need if you apply for this position.
For data scientists, analysts, and engineers, the same categories exist. Data analyst positions are generally entry-level, though. Data engineers are the intermediary, with data scientists being the most senior positions.
Once you know your skillset, you can determine where you will fit in the company.
Types of Questions Asked during a Business Analyst Interview at Amazon
The Amazon business analyst position interview is usually in two stages; on the phone and onsite. The interview in both stages is in two major aspects – technical and behavioral. You will also be required to answer business cases and product sense questions. We have highlighted some of the questions you might be asked.
Technical
The technical aspect of the interview is usually focused on SQL and ETL. You might also have to answer a few coding and data engineering questions. Some of the questions could be;
- What’s the difference between ILIKE and LIKE?
- How does a window function work?
- What are the different types of joins?
- What’s a primary key?
- What’s a foreign key?
Tip: Try and practice the latest Amazon SQL questions here!
Behavioral
The behavioral questions are based on Amazon’s 14 leadership principles. Ensure that you study these principles and formulate questions on each before your interview. You can answer these questions using the STAR method. Some possible questions are;
- How do you deal with a missed project deadline?
- Tell me about how you motivate others on your team.
- How do you handle a situation where the solution is not clear?
- What is the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make?
- Have you ever taken the initiative on a project, and how?
Product Sense and Business Cases
These questions test your understanding of the product in different business situations. Pay close attention to the details in these questions.
- How do you handle changing requirements as you develop a system?
- How would you filter users posting fake comments?
- What data can help you sell to a customer with a full cart?
Conclusion
The Amazon business analyst position is a highly coveted one. It would be best to have qualifications beyond the usual expectations for a business analyst role. The interview process can also be grueling.
This guide has detailed the salary, qualifications, roles, required experience, position levels of an Amazon business analyst. We have also provided insight into the kinds of questions to expect. If you follow the guide and have the qualifications, you can get the position.
