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The differences between computer systems analysts and systems developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a computer systems analyst and a systems developer. Additionally, a systems developer has an average salary of $97,230, which is higher than the $82,655 average annual salary of a computer systems analyst.
The top three skills for a computer systems analyst include computer system, database and C++. The most important skills for a systems developer are java, python, and C++.
| Computer Systems Analyst | Systems Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,655 | $97,230 |
| Hourly rate | $39.74 | $46.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 118,439 | 322,419 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A computer systems analyst is responsible for creating and designing computer applications and network solutions to support business functions and requirements. Computer systems analysts evaluate the systems' efficiency and performance to perform configuration and improve infrastructure for smooth navigation and controls. They also assist end-users in resolving network issues, perform troubleshooting, and write resolution reports for reference and failure prevention. A computer systems analyst must have excellent technical and computer skills, especially in installing new upgrades and developing features for existing applications.
A Systems Developer is responsible for designing and creating software applications and server programs to support business requirements and client specifications. System Developers run multiple diagnostic tests to the systems to ensure performance and stability and revise scripts for optimization as needed. They also evaluate and improve existing networks, develop infrastructure, and set configuration. A Systems Developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to identify network structures and operating systems.
Computer systems analysts and systems developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Systems Analyst | Systems Developer | |
| Average salary | $82,655 | $97,230 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $112,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a computer systems analyst and a systems developer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Systems Analyst | Systems Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between computer systems analysts' and systems developers' demographics:
| Computer Systems Analyst | Systems Developer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 16.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |