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The differences between application programmer analysts and systems analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an application programmer analyst and a systems analyst. Additionally, an application programmer analyst has an average salary of $82,341, which is higher than the $75,383 average annual salary of a systems analyst.
The top three skills for an application programmer analyst include C++, java and javascript. The most important skills for a systems analyst are customer service, project management, and troubleshoot.
| Application Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $82,341 | $75,383 |
| Hourly rate | $39.59 | $36.24 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 87,881 | 141,289 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Application Programmer Analysts are responsible for analyzing and implementing software programs and applications. Their duties include defining project requirements, designing new software applications and programs, conducting business system analysis, creating a software development plan, and undertaking program user research. They are also involved in writing programming scripts, carrying out software development testing, and producing statistical reports. Application programmer analysts also schedule software improvements, communicate with the vendor regarding new system implementation, develop user manuals, and perform software installations.
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
Application programmer analysts and systems analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Average salary | $82,341 | $75,383 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $108,000 | Between $58,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cantor Fitzgerald | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Media | Finance |
There are a few differences between an application programmer analyst and a systems analyst in terms of educational background:
| Application Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between application programmer analysts' and systems analysts' demographics:
| Application Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |