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Digital specialist vs research analyst

The differences between digital specialists and research 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 digital specialist and a research analyst. Additionally, a research analyst has an average salary of $70,232, which is higher than the $61,349 average annual salary of a digital specialist.

The top three skills for a digital specialist include digital marketing, google analytics and customer service. The most important skills for a research analyst are data analysis, data collection, and research projects.

Digital specialist vs research analyst overview

Digital SpecialistResearch Analyst
Yearly salary$61,349$70,232
Hourly rate$29.49$33.77
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs58,63381,374
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a digital specialist do?

A digital specialist is responsible for handling digital marketing campaigns and utilizing online marketing tools to promote the company's brand image through various social media platforms, increasing customer engagement, and attracting potential clients for business partnerships. Digital specialists must have excellent knowledge of the current market trends, developing media campaigns to meet public demands and public interests. They also actively respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving common complaints. A digital specialist must be highly communicative and organizational, especially on identifying business opportunities that would bring more revenues and increase the company's profitability.

What does a research analyst do?

A research analyst is responsible for providing a company with insights and advice concerning finance, investments, and expenditures. Utilizing their analytical skills and extensive expertise in marketing, they analyze the trends and significant factors to conclude which decision should be the best to make. They can also take part in conducting an in-depth analysis of a business and examine which areas require improvement or has potential. Furthermore, they may work with a company or independently as a freelance analyst.

Digital specialist vs research analyst salary

Digital specialists and research analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital SpecialistResearch Analyst
Average salary$61,349$70,232
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $108,000Between $45,000 And $107,000
Highest paying CityKearny, NJSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncThe Citadel
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between digital specialist and research analyst education

There are a few differences between a digital specialist and a research analyst in terms of educational background:

Digital SpecialistResearch Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Georgia

Digital specialist vs research analyst demographics

Here are the differences between digital specialists' and research analysts' demographics:

Digital SpecialistResearch Analyst
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 59.8% Female, 40.2%Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between digital specialist and research analyst duties and responsibilities

Digital specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the tier-2 ticketing system and propagate hot topic responses to the SharePoint knowledge base.
  • Develop and post product demos on YouTube, providing quick understanding of functionality to differentiate solutions and generate leads.
  • Make edits to web content as necessary via content management system and html.
  • Re-Design multiple client sites, including art and UX updates, in both stand alone HTML and CMS projects.
  • Update and monitor CRM program on daily basis.
  • Market social media (Facebook) to generate website traffic for campaign reviews and highlights.
  • Show more

Research analyst example responsibilities.

  • Develop VBA to automate the analysis of website data, which save staff labor time.
  • Manage medication studies, and ensury clinical trial centers conduct studies in accordance with GCP standards.
  • Manage project team meetings using SharePoint calendars.
  • Work with engineering teams to troubleshoot issues.
  • Design and code windows in PowerBuilder for EMPRV application.
  • Assist with ongoing implementation of POS and PC systems for upgrades and new locations.
  • Show more

Digital specialist vs research analyst skills

Common digital specialist skills
  • Digital Marketing, 16%
  • Google Analytics, 8%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Media Sales, 4%
  • SEM, 4%
  • Social Media Marketing, 4%
Common research analyst skills
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Research Projects, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Market Research, 4%
  • Python, 4%

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