Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between information technology analysts and senior information technology specialists 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 technology analyst, becoming a senior information technology specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior information technology specialist has an average salary of $103,478, which is higher than the $83,078 average annual salary of an information technology analyst.
The top three skills for an information technology analyst include infrastructure, customer service and security policies. The most important skills for a senior information technology specialist are customer service, database, and technical support.
| Information Technology Analyst | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $83,078 | $103,478 |
| Hourly rate | $39.94 | $49.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 145,565 | 111,996 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An information technology analyst is responsible for identifying business opportunities by creating and designing technology systems that would help business operations perform efficiently and accurately. Information technology analysts manage systems maintenance, upgrade and install updates for better optimization, and perform feature revisions and adjustments based on the end-user experience. They analyze client and business specifications and research a multiple system approach to generate technology solutions. An information technology analyst must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the technology industry.
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Information technology analysts and senior information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Analyst | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $83,078 | $103,478 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $111,000 | Between $78,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an information technology analyst and a senior information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Analyst | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology analysts' and senior information technology specialists' demographics:
| Information Technology Analyst | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 15.3% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |