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The differences between data processing analysts and software analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a data processing analyst and a software analyst. Additionally, a software analyst has an average salary of $78,400, which is higher than the $76,487 average annual salary of a data processing analyst.
The top three skills for a data processing analyst include data analysis, process improvement and visualization. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Data Processing Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $76,487 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $36.77 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 128,197 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Data Processing Analysts are responsible for analyzing and maintaining the data systems of an organization. Their duties include interpreting data, analyzing statistical results, creating databases, identifying patterns from data sets, and undertake data filtering. They are also involved in preparing analytics reports, developing data visualizations, and mining data sets from primary or secondary sources. Data Processing Analysts also execute process automation, data validation, and documenting client's business requirements. They continuously monitor the performance metric of a project.
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.
Data processing analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Processing Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $76,487 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $107,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | PayPal | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a data processing analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Data Processing Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between data processing analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Data Processing Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.4% Female, 45.6% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |