How much do program analysts make?

Program analysts make $70,000 a year, on average ($34.10 per hour). There is, however, considerable range in how much a program analyst can make - starting from as little as $50,000 to as much as $99,000 a year. Factors such as years of experience, location, and company type impact how much a program analyst can make.

Is being a programmer/analyst a good career?

Yes, being a programmer/analyst is a good career. Working as a programmer/analyst can be a rewarding career choice that pays well and is in demand across many industries. Being a programming analyst is a great career choice for those who enjoy learning new coding languages and working in the technology industry.

What do you need to become a program analyst?

To become a program analyst, you need to be a great computer programmer, and you must have the necessary education, skills, and qualifications. Most employers require computer programmer candidates to obtain their bachelor's degree in computer science or a related subject. Other employers may only require you to earn a high school diploma with several years of coding experience or an associate's degree from a junior college or technical institute.

What skills do I need to be a program analyst?

The skills needed to be a program analyst reflect the ability to review a company's computer systems to ensure they operate properly and efficiently. Their main duties include determining requirements for each system, making recommendations to optimize programs accordingly, and identifying and resolving system issues.

What is a program analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Erik Johnson Ph.D.,

Dr. Daryl Green

A program analyst is an individual who analyzes and evaluates business operations, processes, and systems to identify areas for improvement. They use data analysis techniques to gather and interpret data to provide recommendations for efficiencies and cost savings. Program analysts work with stakeholders to understand their needs and objectives and develop solutions that align with those goals. Additionally, program analysts may be responsible for managing budgets and resources to ensure that programs are completed on time and within budget.

What general advice would you give to a program analyst?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Economics gives you a set of tools to analyze a variety of policy and business problems. However, determining which tools to apply in which situation requires that you learn the industry, you are working from top to bottom. When you begin a new job in a new field, be sure to do everything you can to understand how the organization and the industry work to understand the primary incentives that everyone faces. One right way to do this is to make as many connections within the company you are working for as possible, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities within the company and how they can help you learn more. Moreover, do your best to ensure that a significant portion of your job involves some creative endeavors, such as economic modeling or building tools for yourself or others to use. As computing power continues to become cheaper, and artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, relatively repetitive tasks become more comfortable and easier to automate. Therefore, you will have less job security. Creative tasks, such as modeling and tool building, are difficult to automate and are more likely to provide you with more satisfaction.

ScoreProgram AnalystUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,039

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 13.35%

Black or African American 8.18%

Hispanic or Latino 8.98%

Unknown 4.51%

White 64.82%

Gender

female 54.48%

male 45.52%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a program analyst?

Pros

Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunity for career advancement
Exposure to different business units and stakeholders
Opportunities for professional development and training
Challenging and intellectually stimulating work

Cons

Long working hours and tight deadlines
High levels of stress and pressure
Heavy reliance on computer technology, which can be frustrating at times
Need for strong communication skills to manage client expectations
Need to stay updated with changing regulatory requirements.

Key steps to become a program analyst

Explore program analyst education requirements

Most common program analyst degrees

Bachelor's

66.8 %

Master's

18.2 %

Associate

9.8 %

Start to develop specific program analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Veterans	9.26%
Program Management	7.46%
Project Management	7.29%
Logistics	5.68%
DOD	5.60%

Complete relevant program analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program analyst resumes.

Research program analyst duties and responsibilities

Attain NIH seed money to coordinate activities to improve rates of screening for diabetic retinopathy.
Achieve an understanding of the funding policy for the NASA programs and relate it to the EVM reporting.
Manage staff of project controllers to perform monthly close, reconciliations, general ledger review and invoice generation.
Support and manage projects utilizing agile and scrum methodology.

Prepare your program analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program analyst resume.

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