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In a recent study, the International Data Corporation (IDC) found that as many as 14.7 million jobs out of a 35.2 million IT industry total, were created directly related to Microsoft products or its activities.

Microsoft Business Intelligence Stack: 

As a Microsoft BI developer, you will be working with the following tools of the Microsoft Business Intelligence Stack:

• SSIS – SQL Server Integration Services -> ETL Tool
• SSAS – SQL Server Analysis Services. -> Analysis Tool
• SSRS – SQL Server Reporting Services -> Reporting Tool
• MDS – Master Data Services -> MDM Tool
• SQL Server

Additional Skills Needed: 

• Good understanding on Data warehousing Concepts and Design (Kimball and Ralph Inmon Methodologies, ER modelling and Dimensional Modeling, Slowly Changing Dimension (Type 2, Type 3), Change Data Capture, Star Schema vs Snow Flake Schema)
• Hands-On Experience on T-SQL and MDX
• Certification is a plus; MCSA, MCSE: Data Platform, MCSE: BI

Salary Trends:

If you refer to the graph below covering the trend since 2012, a BI Developer is currently commanding on an average of $97,000 and is set to keep rising.

In USA, The BI Developer salary trend has moved progressively up since 2012. Once the supply starts piercing slowly into the demand, this will lead to the average settling comfortably into a trend with salary increases showing a 5.88% change year on year.

 Job Trends for BI Developer:

Here’s another graph showing the jobs postings increasing from 2006 to 2013.

The Top 5 Employers Hiring Microsoft BI Developer

1. Nigel Frank International Limited
2. Randstad Technologies
3. Robert Half Technology
4. Kforce
5. Romack

Certifications:

 It would be ideal to clear the exams that are globally recognized for IT professionals, as it will simply place you in an enviable position where you have the specific required skills and techniques.

Here is the MCSA Certification Path:

After you have got your MCSA, you can follow the path below to get your MCSE in BI.

Here’s the link for the MCSE Certification:-

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcse-sql-business-intelligence.aspx

Top 3 Books recommended for Microsoft BI developer: 

• Kimball’s Data Warehouse Toolkit Classics : Considered as a bible of data warehousing theory
• Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit : This book has all the tips to jump start your Microsoft BI career
• Knight’s Microsoft Business Intelligence 24-Hour Trainer : This book will be a good start for beginners.

Top 3 Websites to Follow:

• SQL Server Central: SQL Server Central have numerous articles, videos, forums, scripts on SQL Server BI Development.
• SQL Authority: SQL Authority is a blog by Pinal Dave a prominent Technology Evangelist in SQL Server.
• MS SQL Tips: This website posts tutorials, webcasts,whitepapers and articles covering administration, development and BI.