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The differences between process improvement analysts and analyst leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a process improvement analyst, becoming an analyst lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an analyst lead has an average salary of $95,264, which is higher than the $72,770 average annual salary of a process improvement analyst.
The top three skills for a process improvement analyst include lean six sigma, continuous improvement and sigma. The most important skills for an analyst lead are analytics, data analysis, and project management.
| Process Improvement Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $72,770 | $95,264 |
| Hourly rate | $34.99 | $45.80 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 106,343 | 122,353 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A process improvement analyst specializes in performing research and analysis to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a company's operations and procedures, recommending changes for optimal performance. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather records and data, conduct inspections, identify customers' needs, and spearhead projects for various operations. They must also maintain records of all observations and changes, produce progress reports, and conduct presentations for stakeholders and other high-ranking officials. Furthermore, it is essential to keep an active communication line with the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.
Process improvement analysts and analyst leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Improvement Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average salary | $72,770 | $95,264 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $93,000 | Between $74,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a process improvement analyst and an analyst lead in terms of educational background:
| Process Improvement Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between process improvement analysts' and analyst leads' demographics:
| Process Improvement Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2% | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 12.8% White, 65.6% 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, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 8% |