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.
Applications analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real applications analyst resumes:
- 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.
- Analyze HL7 messages send from interface engines and resolve errors to facilitate lab/demographic imports into the EHR systems.
- Define testing strategies and test scripts for system testing and coordinate performance testing and UAT with the business users.
- Provide technical support for a vendor provide web base healthcare provider credentialing application.
- Collaborate with registration configuration team by focusing on data analysis, visualization, and reporting.
- Apply ITIL principles to analyze application issues, implementation, modification and maintenance of custom develop applications.
- Build facility specific master files, test all areas of the application including participation in integrate testing and troubleshoot issue resolution.
- Provide front end & back end support for PACS, Quadris, and Emstat.
- Perform simple SQL database queries.
- Used JIRA as project management tool.
Applications analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Applications Analysts are proficient in Healthcare, Customer Service, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Applications Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Healthcare, 17%
Project to replace OS WIN XP to OS WIN 7 on 20,000+ devices throughout BJC HealthCare and their 14 Hospital Facilities.
- Customer Service, 8%
Participated in knowledge transfer activities and interfaced with other application environment service providers in support of customer service requests.
- Patients, 8%
Developed applications to support clinical trials to enable principal investigators to collect and analyze data on patients and research.
- Project Management, 6%
Experience with requirements gathering, tool development and customization, project management, process automation, change management, user administration.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Build facility specific master files, test all areas of the application including participation in integrated testing and troubleshoot issue resolution.
- Technical Support, 3%
Manage development projects utilizing the skills of a highly specialized team providing software development, database management, and technical support.
"healthcare," "customer service," and "patients" are among the most common skills that applications analysts use at work. You can find even more applications analyst responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an applications analyst to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what applications analysts do because "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Additionally, an applications analyst resume shows how applications analysts use analytical skills: "design and develop databases under my sql and administration portal using java, jsp. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling applications analyst duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." According to an applications analyst resume, here's how applications analysts can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "used jms (java messaging service) for asynchronous communication between different modules. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for applications analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how applications analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an applications analyst: "use microsoft access to inventory pc hardware, owner, model, and warranty information. ".
The three companies that hire the most applications analysts are:
- Highmark109 applications analysts jobs
- UW Medicine
49 applications analysts jobs
- RWJBarnabas Health41 applications analysts jobs
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Applications analyst vs. Analyst lead
The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between applications analysts and analyst lead. For instance, applications analyst responsibilities require skills such as "healthcare," "patients," "technical support," and "application support." Whereas a analyst lead is skilled in "analytics," "powerpoint," "cloud security," and "power bi." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Analyst leads earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,488. On the other hand, applications analysts are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $94,157.analyst leads tend to reach higher levels of education than applications analysts. In fact, analyst leads are 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Applications analyst vs. Software analyst
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, applications analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "healthcare," "customer service," "patients," and "project management." Meanwhile, a software analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "c++," "software development," "test data," and "scrum." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, software analysts earn a lower salary than applications analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software analysts earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $86,986. Whereas applications analysts have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $94,157.In general, software analysts achieve similar levels of education than applications analysts. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for applications analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Applications analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, applications analysts are more likely to have skills like "healthcare," "patients," "technical support," and "application support." But a analyst is more likely to have skills like "digital transformation," "data entry," "work ethic," and "financial statements."
Analysts earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $79,330. Applications analysts earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $94,157.When it comes to education, analysts tend to earn similar degree levels compared to applications analysts. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Applications analyst vs. Computer analyst
A computer analyst is responsible for generating technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and processes. Computer analysts create models for system applications and perform upgrades on software and hardware networks to boost optimization. They also develop strategic methods to enhance the performance of existing systems and identify inconsistencies for immediate resolution. A computer analyst must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in managing the security of computer data and setting the configuration and accessibility of networks for authorized users.
Types of applications analyst
Updated January 8, 2025











