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What is an applications analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
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An applications analyst evaluates and improves software applications to meet the needs of their organization or clients. They work with stakeholders to understand requirements, identify improvements, and design solutions that streamline business processes. Applications analysts may also test and troubleshoot software, providing training to end-users, and collaborating with IT professionals to integrate applications with existing systems. This role requires analytical skills, technical expertise, and excellent communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What general advice would you give to an applications analyst?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.Erik Johnson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Economics gives you a set of tools to analyze a variety of policy and business problems. However, determining which tools to apply in which situation requires that you learn the industry, you are working from top to bottom. When you begin a new job in a new field, be sure to do everything you can to understand how the organization and the industry work to understand the primary incentives that everyone faces. One right way to do this is to make as many connections within the company you are working for as possible, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities within the company and how they can help you learn more. Moreover, do your best to ensure that a significant portion of your job involves some creative endeavors, such as economic modeling or building tools for yourself or others to use. As computing power continues to become cheaper, and artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, relatively repetitive tasks become more comfortable and easier to automate. Therefore, you will have less job security. Creative tasks, such as modeling and tool building, are difficult to automate and are more likely to provide you with more satisfaction.
ScoreApplications AnalystUS Average
Salary
6.3

Avg. Salary $80,144

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.56%

Black or African American 10.28%

Hispanic or Latino 11.05%

Unknown 5.01%

White 58.91%

Gender

female 44.61%

male 55.39%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an applications analyst?

Pros

  • Opportunities for career progression

  • Opportunities for continuing education

  • Ability to work remotely or have flexible hours

  • Chance to solve complex problems and puzzles

  • Opportunities for creativity and innovation

Cons

  • Long hours, especially during product rollouts or problem-solving sessions

  • Requires a high level of technical expertise and knowledge

  • May require working outside of typical business hours or on-call availability

  • Constant need to keep up with new technology trends and advancements

  • Requires strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Applications analyst career paths

Key steps to become an applications analyst

  1. Explore applications analyst education requirements

    Most common applications analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.8 %

    Associate

    15.5 %

    Master's

    12.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific applications analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Healthcare16.63%
    Customer Service8.40%
    Patients8.01%
    Project Management5.64%
    Troubleshoot4.96%
  3. Complete relevant applications analyst training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New applications analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an applications analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real applications analyst resumes.
  4. Gain additional applications analyst certifications

    Applications analyst certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific applications analyst certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for applications analysts include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research applications analyst duties and 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.
  6. Prepare your applications analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your applications analyst resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an applications analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable applications analyst resume templates

    Build a professional applications analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your applications analyst resume.
    Applications Analyst Resume
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    Applications Analyst Resume
  7. Apply for applications analyst jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an applications analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first applications analyst job

Zippi

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Average applications analyst salary

The average applications analyst salary in the United States is $80,144 per year or $39 per hour. Applications analyst salaries range between $58,000 and $109,000 per year.

Average applications analyst salary
$80,144 Yearly
$38.53 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do applications analysts rate their job?

-/5

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3 stars

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Applications analyst reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Cons

Managing projects or leading large projects as this makes the BA role difficult to do well


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Cons

It needs more patience to apply the true solution and satisfy your client


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

With the company that I work for, being an implementations analyst is sort of a hybrid role between account management and a more technical role.

Cons

My company wants us to fill both roles without actually compensating us for filling both roles


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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