Post job

Information specialist vs information analyst

The differences between information specialists and information analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an information specialist, becoming an information analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information analyst has an average salary of $75,933, which is higher than the $69,502 average annual salary of an information specialist.

The top three skills for an information specialist include patients, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for an information analyst are patients, data entry, and data analysis.

Information specialist vs information analyst overview

Information SpecialistInformation Analyst
Yearly salary$69,502$75,933
Hourly rate$33.41$36.51
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs121,168141,418
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4243
Years of experience26

What does an information specialist do?

An information specialist is responsible for obtaining data through various strategies such as surveys, research, and analysis. It is essential to coordinate with different teams to learn their data needs and utilize them upon gathering. There may also be instances where an information specialist must work with other groups for tasks, such as building databases and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure data integrity, protect their source's identities, adhere to all the company's policies and regulations, and abide by the state law when gathering information.

What does an information analyst do?

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.

Information specialist vs information analyst salary

Information specialists and information analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Information SpecialistInformation Analyst
Average salary$69,502$75,933
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $118,000Between $55,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityTrenton, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOregon
Best paying companyCrowell & MoringPutnam Investments
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between information specialist and information analyst education

There are a few differences between an information specialist and an information analyst in terms of educational background:

Information SpecialistInformation Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Information specialist vs information analyst demographics

Here are the differences between information specialists' and information analysts' demographics:

Information SpecialistInformation Analyst
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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%
LGBT Percentage11%8%

Differences between information specialist and information analyst duties and responsibilities

Information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage windows patch upgrades and provide software pushes using Microsoft SCCM.
  • Manage university and small business research grants and evaluate vendor RFP responses.
  • Manage USAID OTI grants database to track and monitor implementation of program activities.
  • Manage network resources, including video conferences, printers, servers, PCs, and switches.
  • Manage redesign and CMS implementation for VermontAmerican.com.
  • Follow standard operating procedure docs access via SharePoint intranet.
  • Show more

Information analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage the successful conversion of multiple payroll master structure to a single combine payroll master structure.
  • Develop SharePoint site to manage reporting within multiple divisions.
  • Develop integration and automation of ITIL processes in order to achieve superior service management.
  • Perform statistical analysis of all patients' medical records while also ensuring quality in indexing.
  • Process medical authorization release forms while complying with HIPAA laws and regulations.
  • Interface with systems areas including CICS and MVS, to help issues.
  • Show more

Information specialist vs information analyst skills

Common information specialist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • FOIA, 8%
  • Management System, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common information analyst skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Data Integrity, 4%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs