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The differences between principal business analysts and 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 technical business analyst. Additionally, a principal business analyst has an average salary of $115,081, which is higher than the $81,757 average annual salary of a 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 technical business analyst are project management, business analysis, and business processes.
| Principal Business Analyst | Technical Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $115,081 | $81,757 |
| Hourly rate | $55.33 | $39.31 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 164,208 | 203,686 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
As a technical business analyst, one oversees the technical business project and solution implementation. Technical business analysts work with the technical team members and stakeholders for the mapping, analysis, and documentation of business projects and processes. People in the business world consider them as market technicians, chartists, securities traders, or researchers. The job also involves the documentation of redesigned computer systems and applications. Skills in computer programming, leadership, communication, and management are necessary.
Principal business analysts and technical business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Business Analyst | Technical Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $115,081 | $81,757 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $150,000 | Between $62,000 And $106,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal business analyst and a technical business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Principal Business Analyst | Technical Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between principal business analysts' and technical business analysts' demographics:
| Principal Business Analyst | Technical Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2% | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% |
| 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, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |