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The differences between design 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 design analyst and a software analyst. Additionally, a software analyst has an average salary of $78,400, which is higher than the $70,162 average annual salary of a design analyst.
The top three skills for a design analyst include project management, design process and management system. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Design Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $70,162 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $33.73 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 120,454 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The duties of a design analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a corporate setting, their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the company or the client's needs, determining areas needing improvement, and designing new systems to optimize business operations. Aside from utilizing their expertise to recommend efficient designs, a design analyst is also responsible for providing technical support and information assistance to staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Design analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $70,162 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $97,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Workday | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a design analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Design Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between design analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Design Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.2% 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% |