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The differences between applications analysts and applications developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an applications analyst, becoming an applications developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an applications developer has an average salary of $89,205, which is higher than the $80,144 average annual salary of an applications analyst.
The top three skills for an applications analyst include healthcare, customer service and patients. The most important skills for an applications developer are java, javascript, and C++.
| Applications Analyst | Applications Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,144 | $89,205 |
| Hourly rate | $38.53 | $42.89 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 110,833 | 279,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
An applications analyst is an individual hired by a company to administer, monitor, and maintain all its software infrastructure and applications. Applications analysts must ensure the integrity and safety of all data and applications so that the company business can run smoothly and succeed. They are required to collaborate with applications developers and software engineers to provide a diagnosis of application errors and create long- and short-term resolutions. Applications analysts should also provide training and support of staff in using applications.
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Applications analysts and applications developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Analyst | Applications Developer | |
| Average salary | $80,144 | $89,205 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $109,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Ceridian | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between an applications analyst and an applications developer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Analyst | Applications Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between applications analysts' and applications developers' demographics:
| Applications Analyst | Applications Developer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |