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The differences between functional analysts and business analyst associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a functional analyst, becoming a business analyst associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a functional analyst has an average salary of $96,841, which is higher than the $68,806 average annual salary of a business analyst associate.
The top three skills for a functional analyst include business process, lifecycle management and HR. The most important skills for a business analyst associate are healthcare, project management, and business processes.
| Functional Analyst | Business Analyst Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $96,841 | $68,806 |
| Hourly rate | $46.56 | $33.08 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 52,085 | 129,806 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Functional analysts are professionals specializing in a specific line of business, technology, and industry. They collect information by interviewing managers and employees and studying the company's systems and procedures. They design computer systems that meet business requirements and prepare reports for the managers. Additional duties for this role include installing and configuring new systems, running tests to ensure that specifications are met, and writing user manuals. Functional analysts are also responsible for conducting training on new capabilities to existing end-users.
A business analyst associate job supports collaborating with financial reporting and developing strategies and initiatives that optimize costs and improve internal and external reporting. They work closely with business analysts to help make improvements in streamlining reports and review the process requirements by constantly communicating with the clients or end-users. The role should also call for a solid understanding of regulatory and requirements in reporting as well as experience in forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis shared with a comprehensive understanding of key performance indicators.
Functional analysts and business analyst associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Analyst | Business Analyst Associate | |
| Average salary | $96,841 | $68,806 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $131,000 | Between $53,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Apple | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a functional analyst and a business analyst associate in terms of educational background:
| Functional Analyst | Business Analyst Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between functional analysts' and business analyst associates' demographics:
| Functional Analyst | Business Analyst Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1% | Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 19.5% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |