Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between application support analysts and software analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an application support analyst, becoming a software analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an application support analyst has an average salary of $92,078, which is higher than the $78,400 average annual salary of a software analyst.
The top three skills for an application support analyst include application support, customer service and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Application Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $92,078 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 173,440 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An application support analyst is responsible for responding to and resolving customer issues about smartphone or computer applications. They do a variety of applications ranging from banking software and mobile games, and they usually deal with a great number of clients daily. It is also their task to report to a next level member of staff, such as an information technology (IT) manager or a senior systems analyst. Moreover, they spend their time working in an office setting and can be employed by software companies, game developers, technology creators, and other types of organizations.
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
Application support analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $92,078 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $125,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Meta | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an application support analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Application Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between application support analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Application Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.2% Female, 35.8% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 14.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |