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The differences between equity research analysts and research analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an equity research analyst, becoming a research analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an equity research analyst has an average salary of $119,540, which is higher than the $70,232 average annual salary of a research analyst.
The top three skills for an equity research analyst include financial models, macro and securities. The most important skills for a research analyst are data analysis, data collection, and research projects.
| Equity Research Analyst | Research Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $119,540 | $70,232 |
| Hourly rate | $57.47 | $33.77 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 85,974 | 81,374 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An equity research analyst is responsible for analyzing stock and securities markets, generating reports and performance projections, and advising clients on the best options for clients' financial portfolios. Equity research analysts should have excellent knowledge of the current stock market trends, especially the availability of the securities to identify investments that would sell in public. They evaluate the clients' needs out of their investment interests and risk appetite. An equity research analyst must be highly-communicative and analytical, especially on responding to clients' inquiries and concerns and informing investment managers on the stock and securities available.
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.
Equity research analysts and research analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equity Research Analyst | Research Analyst | |
| Average salary | $119,540 | $70,232 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $182,000 | Between $45,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Simmons Energy | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Finance |
There are a few differences between an equity research analyst and a research analyst in terms of educational background:
| Equity Research Analyst | Research Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Finance | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between equity research analysts' and research analysts' demographics:
| Equity Research Analyst | Research Analyst | |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% 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 Percentage | 7% | 10% |