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The differences between applications support engineers and support analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an applications support engineer, becoming a support analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an applications support engineer has an average salary of $89,928, which is higher than the $75,989 average annual salary of a support analyst.
The top three skills for an applications support engineer include java, application support and database. The most important skills for a support analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Applications Support Engineer | Support Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $89,928 | $75,989 |
| Hourly rate | $43.23 | $36.53 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 222,780 | 107,039 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An applications support engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the application and network systems to support business operations and functions. Applications support engineers work on the installation of updates, upgrade system infrastructure, and resolve technical process issues and gaps. They also analyze the condition of existing applications and modify procedures to improve stability and configuration. An applications support engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to identify failure sources and create resolution manuals to prevent downtime reoccurrence.
The role of support analysts is to resolve problems with hardware, computer programs, and peripherals. They may focus on a particular aspect of the information technology (IT) department or give technical support to end-users. They mainly detect issues with IT equipment and software and devise solutions to resolve these issues. Also, they are responsible for answering queries from users, preparing service records, and handling escalations. Support analysts also support the company's IT operations and best practices by creating and distributing relevant IT documents.
Applications support engineers and support analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Support Engineer | Support Analyst | |
| Average salary | $89,928 | $75,989 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $120,000 | Between $50,000 And $114,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | ICE Mortgage Technology | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between an applications support engineer and a support analyst in terms of educational background:
| Applications Support Engineer | Support Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between applications support engineers' and support analysts' demographics:
| Applications Support Engineer | Support Analyst | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 12.9% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |