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The differences between information analysts and test analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an information analyst, becoming a test analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an information analyst has an average salary of $75,933, which is higher than the $70,997 average annual salary of a test analyst.
The top three skills for an information analyst include patients, data entry and data analysis. The most important skills for a test analyst are test scripts, test plan, and regression.
| Information Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $75,933 | $70,997 |
| Hourly rate | $36.51 | $34.13 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 141,418 | 91,308 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Information Analysts are employees who collect data and analyze the information from the data they collected. They are usually found in companies with information technology departments. They collect network, software, or hardware performance data and analyze these data. The data that Information Analysts collect would help in identifying and anticipating problems in the system. As such, they will be able to troubleshoot and provide a sound analysis of the systems and networks. They would then be able to give recommendations to address problems, based on what they analyzed.
The duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.
Information analysts and test analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Average salary | $75,933 | $70,997 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $104,000 | Between $56,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Putnam Investments | General Motors |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an information analyst and a test analyst in terms of educational background:
| Information Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between information analysts' and test analysts' demographics:
| Information Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.0% 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% |