Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Analyst
Impact: Strategic and Operational
Collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence from publicly available sources to support national security, law enforcement, competitive intelligence, and cyber threat analysis, utilizing advanced search techniques, data analysis tools, and critical thinking to uncover hidden connections and deliver actionable insights.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented with significant independent work
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $90,000
- Entry-level
- $65,000
- Senior
- $130,000
- Growth by 2033
- Growing Fast
- Demand
- Growing Fast
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $30,000 - $60,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Data Analysis
- OSINT Tools
- Cyber Security
- Report Writing
Soft skills
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Senior OSINT Analyst, Intelligence Manager, Cyber Threat Intelligence Lead
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing Fast
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High