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The differences between principal business analysts and senior technical business analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a principal business analyst and a senior technical business analyst. Additionally, a principal business analyst has an average salary of $115,081, which is higher than the $105,907 average annual salary of a senior technical business analyst.
The top three skills for a principal business analyst include provide management, shared services and project management. The most important skills for a senior technical business analyst are project management, business analysis, and business process.
| Principal Business Analyst | Senior Technical Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $115,081 | $105,907 |
| Hourly rate | $55.33 | $50.92 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 164,208 | 213,435 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A principal business analyst provides analytical services to recommend strategies that will optimize business operations. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, understanding the purpose and needs of daily operations, performing market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities, determine the strengths and weaknesses of current procedures, and develop solutions against problem areas. They must also conduct risk assessments, maintain documentation, and present findings through reports and presentations. Moreover, a principal business analyst must lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations.
Senior Technical Business Analysts are experienced employees who primarily work on business improvements. They review business processes and other operations-related procedures in relation to the current business landscape. They should be familiar with the trends in the industry and how these trends affect the company. They should also be familiar with the company processes, people's capabilities, and other context-setting information related to the business. Senior Technical Business Analysts work with different departments to get a holistic view of the company. This would help them recommend action plans and next steps to address the company's challenges and ensure that the company overcomes these challenges.
Principal business analysts and senior technical business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Business Analyst | Senior Technical Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $115,081 | $105,907 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $150,000 | Between $81,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Lifetime |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Energy |
There are a few differences between a principal business analyst and a senior technical business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Principal Business Analyst | Senior Technical Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between principal business analysts' and senior technical business analysts' demographics:
| Principal Business Analyst | Senior Technical Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2% | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.5% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |