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The differences between applications systems analysts and systems support analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an applications systems analyst, becoming a systems support analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an applications systems analyst has an average salary of $85,113, which is higher than the $82,219 average annual salary of a systems support analyst.
The top three skills for an applications systems analyst include project management, technical support and HR. The most important skills for a systems support analyst are troubleshoot, customer service, and database.
| Applications Systems Analyst | Systems Support Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $85,113 | $82,219 |
| Hourly rate | $40.92 | $39.53 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 154,067 | 161,168 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
A systems support analyst is responsible for supporting the operations of the technology department of an organization, resolving network issues, and maintaining the safety and security of the system database. Systems support analysts must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, identifying system process improvements, upgrading system infrastructure, and assisting end-users with navigation. They also create resolution reports for reference, including recommendations to prevent future inconsistencies and glitches. A systems support analyst conducts regular maintenance checks on the technology servers and immediately performs troubleshooting as needed for optimization.
Applications systems analysts and systems support analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Systems Analyst | Systems Support Analyst | |
| Average salary | $85,113 | $82,219 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $58,000 And $114,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Asana | Virtu Financial |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between an applications systems analyst and a systems support analyst in terms of educational background:
| Applications Systems Analyst | Systems Support Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between applications systems analysts' and systems support analysts' demographics:
| Applications Systems Analyst | Systems Support Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1% | Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 12.5% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |