Applications analyst vs functional analyst

The differences between applications analysts and functional 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 applications analyst and a functional analyst. Additionally, a functional analyst has an average salary of $96,841, 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 a functional analyst are business process, lifecycle management, and HR.

Applications analyst vs functional analyst overview

	Applications Analyst	Functional Analyst
Yearly salary	$80,144	$96,841
Hourly rate	$38.53	$46.56
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	110,833	52,085
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

What does an applications analyst do?

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.

What does a functional analyst do?

Functional analysts are professionals specializing in a specific line of business, technology, and industry. They collect information by interviewing managers and employees and studying the company's systems and procedures. They design computer systems that meet business requirements and prepare reports for the managers. Additional duties for this role include installing and configuring new systems, running tests to ensure that specifications are met, and writing user manuals. Functional analysts are also responsible for conducting training on new capabilities to existing end-users.

Applications analyst vs functional analyst salary

Applications analysts and functional analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Applications Analyst	Functional Analyst
Average salary	$80,144	$96,841
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $109,000	Between $71,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Mountain View, CA
Highest paying state	California	New Mexico
Best paying company	Ceridian	Apple
Best paying industry	Retail	Retail

Differences between applications analyst and functional analyst education

There are a few differences between an applications analyst and a functional analyst in terms of educational background:

	Applications Analyst	Functional Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Applications analyst vs functional analyst demographics

Here are the differences between applications analysts' and functional analysts' demographics:

	Applications Analyst	Functional Analyst
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 19.5% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between applications analyst and functional analyst duties and responsibilities

Applications analyst example responsibilities.

Manage the RFI and RFP process for new business managers.
Lead multiple web projects using PHP and PostgreSQL, including company's website.
Update build process by setting up enterprise level Jenkins server to automate build production and deployment.
Manage ticket queue providing direct communications and resolutions to client's ad appeals inquiries concerning disable accounts.
Attain knowledge of ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes and benefit configuration as elements of the claims processing.
Lead end-to-end iterative design and analysis of functional features with hand-in-hand collaboration with product managers, engineers, analysts and QA.

Functional analyst example responsibilities.

Manage offshore production support resources while defining SLA's and processes in coordination with contract teams.
Manage a team of 6 technical resources and their tasks, including EDI, interfaces, conversions, and reporting.
Lead functional staff in planning stage of system migration from client-server architecture to web base environment via ResQSoft conversion tool.
Manage customer information and create reports using Microsoft dynamics CRM.
Assist in business process mapping and prototyping, gap analysis, solution design, setup and testing.
Contract as MDM product structure subject matter expert (SME) on an IBM global large-scale ERP initiative.

Applications analyst vs functional analyst skills

Common applications analyst skills

Healthcare, 17%
Customer Service, 8%
Patients, 8%
Project Management, 6%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Technical Support, 3%

Common functional analyst skills

Business Process, 7%
Lifecycle Management, 5%
HR, 4%
ERP, 4%
Technical Support, 4%
Functional Specifications, 3%

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Applications Analyst vs Functional Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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