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The differences between applications systems analysts and analyst leads 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 systems analyst and an analyst lead. Additionally, an analyst lead has an average salary of $95,264, which is higher than the $85,113 average annual salary of an applications systems analyst.
The top three skills for an applications systems analyst include project management, technical support and HR. The most important skills for an analyst lead are analytics, data analysis, and project management.
| Applications Systems Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $85,113 | $95,264 |
| Hourly rate | $40.92 | $45.80 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 154,067 | 122,353 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An application system analyst is responsible for designing data and network systems, following clients' specifications, user requirements, and business guidelines. Application system analysts manage the network infrastructure and the system's optimal performance by upgrading features and revising application designs to improve navigation efficiency and prevent downtimes. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the applications, identify inconsistencies, and create reports of modifications. An application system analyst must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages to determine the best system procedures that would suit the clients' needs based on their budget goals.
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.
Applications systems analysts and analyst leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Systems Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average salary | $85,113 | $95,264 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $74,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Asana | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between an applications systems analyst and an analyst lead in terms of educational background:
| Applications Systems Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between applications systems analysts' and analyst leads' demographics:
| Applications Systems Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1% | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |