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The differences between functional consultants and business analysts 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 consultant, becoming a business analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a functional consultant has an average salary of $85,317, which is higher than the $74,431 average annual salary of a business analyst.
The top three skills for a functional consultant include business process, prototyping and ERP. The most important skills for a business analyst are project management, data analysis, and business analysis.
| Functional Consultant | Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $85,317 | $74,431 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $35.78 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 51,066 | 170,514 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A functional consultant is responsible for supporting a team of business analysts and software engineers in designing and creating a software system and related computer applications, following the specifications of a client on their software needs. Functional consultants analyze different technological approaches, evaluate technical solutions, and utilize the best system method to meet the requirements of a client efficiently. A functional consultant performs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure the optimal performance of the system. They should also have excellent communication skills, especially in coordinating with the clients on updates and adjustments as needed.
Business analysts are employees who are responsible for interpreting business data and coming up with business solutions. They are well-versed in whatever business the company is in, and they have strong business acumen. They collect data related to the business and then interpret and analyze the data. Business analysts should be able to conduct different levels of analyses and must also be able to create a sound study. Once the analysis is done, they provide recommendations or strategic direction to decision-makers that will help the business become sustainable and grow.
Functional consultants and business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Consultant | Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $85,317 | $74,431 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $53,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Workday | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a functional consultant and a business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Functional Consultant | Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between functional consultants' and business analysts' demographics:
| Functional Consultant | Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 25.2% White, 51.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |