Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between program analysts and project 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 program analyst and a project analyst. Additionally, a program analyst has an average salary of $75,039, which is higher than the $71,174 average annual salary of a project analyst.
The top three skills for a program analyst include veterans, program management and project management. The most important skills for a project analyst are project management, data analysis, and customer service.
| Program Analyst | Project Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $75,039 | $71,174 |
| Hourly rate | $36.08 | $34.22 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 156,716 | 207,513 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The job of program analysts is to plan, manage, and evaluate a company's computer programs. They usually perform different tasks, including researching and analyzing complex data to identify trends and offer the best recommendations for improvements. Other duties for this position may include creating policies and procedures, monitoring and evaluating program performance, and resolving any issues. This role's skills and requirements include a bachelor's degree in computer science, business, or related field. Previous work experience as a program analyst and critical thinking skills are also valued.
A project analyst is responsible for overseeing the development of new projects upon completion of data gathering. A project analyst must provide plans and design the project to its full potential. For this, it is essential to conduct extensive research and coordinate with all staff and departments involved through regular reports and various forms of communication. Furthermore, a project analyst must devise strategies to improve particular projects for it to succeed and achieve better results, all in adherence to the company policies and regulations.
Program analysts and project analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Analyst | Project Analyst | |
| Average salary | $75,039 | $71,174 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $106,000 | Between $52,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a program analyst and a project analyst in terms of educational background:
| Program Analyst | Project Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between program analysts' and project analysts' demographics:
| Program Analyst | Project Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 13.3% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 13.7% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |