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The differences between lead business analysts and contractor-business analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lead business analyst, becoming a contractor-business analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a lead business analyst has an average salary of $107,171, which is higher than the $87,402 average annual salary of a contractor-business analyst.
The top three skills for a lead business analyst include project management, scrum and business analysis. The most important skills for a contractor-business analyst are business process, project management, and data analysis.
| Lead Business Analyst | Contractor-Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $107,171 | $87,402 |
| Hourly rate | $51.52 | $42.02 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 126,509 | 147,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A lead business analyst utilizes data and analytical skills to plan, develop, and implement business systems and operations to help a company attain its short and long-term goals. Their duties focus on conducting market research and assessments, gathering and analyzing data, studying consumers and competitors in the industry, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses in existing systems. They also conduct risk assessments, create business models and forecasts, and identify solutions against potential or existing issues. Additionally, through their research findings, they develop recommendations in adherence to company standards and regulations.
A contractor-business analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and strategizing on efficient project management techniques to enhance productivity goals and achieve maximum performance. Contractor-business analysts conduct data and statistical analysis to determine areas of improvement and identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase profits. They also review client accounts, measure sales performance, and design solutions by utilizing various software applications and system tools. A contractor-business analyst advises the management of necessary training for the staff to enhance services and close more business partnerships.
Lead business analysts and contractor-business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Business Analyst | Contractor-Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $107,171 | $87,402 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $139,000 | Between $62,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Citi | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a lead business analyst and a contractor-business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Lead Business Analyst | Contractor-Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between lead business analysts' and contractor-business analysts' demographics:
| Lead Business Analyst | Contractor-Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7% | Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.2% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 8% |