Management analysts, also known as management consultants, help companies and governmental agencies to solve management problems and devise ways to become more efficient. Problems needing management oversight can arise as a result of business relocation, quick expansion, stiff competition or even the implementation of new technology.

Responsibilities of Management Analysts

Management analysts can have a variety of job responsibilities that range from helping a company to adjust to new business regulations to preparing and presenting proposals. In fact, on the job, a management analyst may be expected to:

  • Analyze financial data related to expenditures, revenue and finances
  • Come up with new strategies, systems or procedures to improve organizational efficiency
  • Provide management and high-level staff with details about new solutions or proposals
  • Consult with upper management about overall needs and issues
  • Modify strategies and proposals to better meet end goals
  • Write job proposals, particularly when employed as an independent contractor

Also, management analysts often specialize in a particular field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This could include anything from reorganizing a corporation's structure to eliminating certain positions or duplicate jobs to improving inventory management.

Job Characteristics

The specific characteristics of the job can differ based on the particular setting and industry and even whether the analyst is employed for a company or works as a consultant. However, management analysts may need to:

  • Work more than a 40-hour week
  • Be able to meet tight deadlines and handle stress and pressure
  • Attend conferences to stay current with the latest developments
  • Travel frequently, particularly to see clients

In addition, management analysts also should be able to:

  • Set and meet goals and objectives
  • Have good analytical and interpersonal skills
  • Give effective presentations
  • Be open-minded and inquisitive
  • Use computers and understand data analysis

Management Analyst Salary and Career Information

The following nationwide information from the BLS is available regarding management analysts:

  • Total Employed: 587,450 as of 2012
  • Job Growth: 19%, from 2012 to 2022
  • Average Salary: $90,860, in 2014

Career opportunities are expected to be best for those with industry certifications, graduate-level education, niche expertise or even foreign language fluency, according to the BLS. Management analysts in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland and Washington had the highest mean annual wages, all above $98,000, as of 2014.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

A bachelor's degree is usually needed to enter the management analyst field, although some employers prefer a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), according to the BLS. Since degrees in management analysis are typically not available, a degree in accounting, business, economics, finance, marketing or another field can provide students with a broad education. In these degree programs, students should take classes focused on:

  • Business Basics
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Math
  • Public Speaking

Certification is available through the Institute of Management Consultants USA in the form of the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) credential. Specific education and experience guidelines need to be met in order to be eligible for this certification, and candidates also must pass an exam and an interview.

Licensing is not necessary for the field, but those with extensive background experience often have more opportunities for career advancement, according to the BLS. Advancement opportunities could include promotion to partner, upper management or even senior consultant.

Major Employers

  • Management consulting firms
  • Government agencies, including those at the federal and state level
  • Insurance companies
  • Consulting firms that specialize in management, scientific and technical services
  • Self-employment as a management consultant

Resources

  • Association of Internal Management Consultants
  • Association of Management Consulting Firms
  • Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) USA
  • Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc.

Sources:

  1. Management Analysts, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Jan. 8, 2014. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm
  2. Management Analysts, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2014. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm#tab-3

Management Analysts Skills

Below are the skills needed to be management analysts according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Skill NameImportanceCompetence
Active Listening4.124.12
Critical Thinking4.124.12
Reading Comprehension4.124.12
Judgment and Decision Making44.12
Speaking44

Management Analysts Abilities

Below are the abilities needed to be management analysts according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Ability NameImportanceCompetence
Oral Comprehension4.384.38
Oral Expression4.254.75
Written Comprehension4.254.25
Inductive Reasoning4.124.12
Written Expression4.124.25

Management Analysts Knowledge

Below are the knowledge areas needed to be management analysts according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
Administration and Management4.425.23
English Language4.365
Customer and Personal Service3.885.31
Education and Training3.845.64
Psychology3.754.38

Management Analysts Work activities

Below are the work activities involved in being management analysts according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others4.856.69
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.695.81
Getting Information4.655.81
Analyzing Data or Information4.625.76
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.585.88

Management Analysts Work styles

Below are the work styles involved in being management analysts according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work StyleImportance
Analytical Thinking4.81
Integrity4.77
Adaptability/Flexibility4.65
Initiative4.62
Cooperation4.58

Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
Management Analysts

Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Management Analysts jobs , as of 2019

   
Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim29,180$105,540
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade23,510$78,940
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue18,280$109,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward17,340$113,750
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell16,270$97,600
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington15,270$90,510
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach12,760$82,150
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale10,230$89,690
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land9,480$110,530
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson9,010$94,140

Compare Total Employment & Salaries for Management Analysts

Use our handy tool to see what employment and salary numbers look like for two different metro areas

Select State
Select Metro Area 1
Select Metro Area 2
Please select State, Metro Area 1 and Metro Area 2
Select different Metro Areas
Employment
Salary

Total employment and salary for professions similar to management analysts

Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Management Analysts.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.