What does a program analyst do?
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.
Program analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real program analyst resumes:
- 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.
- Manage all technical documentation for PMI's certification program.
- Clean up and debug code in Html, Javascript, Actionscript, and Ajax.
- Contribute as team lead and Sr.
- Process security clearance/visit requests for team members via JPAS.
- Perform monthly cash reconciliation between the U.S. Treasury and U.S.
- Interview patients in-person and via phone to collect data for research studies.
- Prepare, track, request and process reimbursement for travelers in DTS.
- Acquire in-depth knowledge of system and infrastructure, from both technical and business aspects.
- Develop in-house tool for application design mapping using Visio and custom ABC Flowcharter templates.
- Evaluate FMS budget data to ensure adequacy of funds and maintain financial tracking systems.
- Review and discuss clinical issues and documentation opportunities with coding staff to determine appropriate DRG.
Program analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Program Analysts are proficient in Veterans, Program Management, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Program Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Veterans, 9%
Use economic models to assess cost benefit and cost effectiveness of various medications provided to Veterans.
- Program Management, 7%
Captured meeting minutes, action items and prepared and edited program documentation and briefing materials for various senior-level Program Management Reviews.
- Project Management, 7%
Provided customer interaction and coordination of technical services delivery, budgets, forecasts, and administrative tasks associated with project management.
- Logistics, 6%
Developed/implemented 3rd party logistics initiatives shifting standard government practices between service depot maintenance facilities, DLA & commercial logistics support providers.
- DOD, 6%
Processed visa letters for senior government and DoD military officials, civilians and dependents to conduct official and diplomatic business internationally.
- Customer Service, 4%
Facilitated quality improvement programs and ensured customer service levels were met or exceeded; verified adherence to all government security regulations.
Most program analysts use their skills in "veterans," "program management," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential program analyst responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a program analyst to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." Additionally, a program analyst resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "demonstrated high volume of sales through excellent interpersonal and selling skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform program analyst duties is problem-solving skills. Program analysts responsibilities require that "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." Program analysts also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "identified areas of improvement in processes and procedures and provided solutions to affiliate program management team. "
Time-management skills. This is an important skill for program analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how program analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a program analyst: "provided daily progress to program management team leads on tasks ensuring deadlines are met. ".
Analytical skills. program analyst responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." This resume example shows what program analysts do with analytical skills on a typical day: "program management support products required coordinating documentation with other functional areas across the agency to provide acquisition and program management data. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for program analyst responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of program analysts all the time, as "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." An excerpt from a real program analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a program analyst does: "edited and created reports, briefs, memos and social media content supporting strategic communications for the department of veterans affairs. "
The three companies that hire the most program analysts are:
- J.P. Morgan129 program analysts jobs
- SAIC116 program analysts jobs
- Meta115 program analysts jobs
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Compare different program analysts
Program analyst vs. Business & data analyst
A business and data analyst is an individual who specializes in utilizing different data-centered strategies in providing analytical services to a company or an organization. Their duties focus on conducting extensive market research and assessments, organizing studies using various techniques and approaches, gathering and analyzing data, performing risk assessments, and spearheading activities such as interviews and surveys. They use their research findings to create plans, establish business forecasts and models, and recommend solutions to optimize business operations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between program analysts and business & data analyst. For instance, program analyst responsibilities require skills such as "veterans," "program management," "project management," and "logistics." Whereas a business & data analyst is skilled in "power bi," "visualization," "bi," and "data quality." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Business & data analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $91,008. On the other hand, program analysts are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $79,942.business & data analysts tend to reach higher levels of education than program analysts. In fact, business & data analysts are 6.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Program analyst vs. Business operations analyst
A business operations analyst is an individual who identifies and solves issues related to the performance of the business operations. Together with the management and engineering departments, business operations analysts must analyze and review a vast amount of data to identify business opportunities. They must provide recommendations and updated policies so that they can improve the company's business performance. Business operations analysts are also required to create monthly reports and present them to upper management on their key findings and assessments.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that program analyst responsibilities requires skills like "veterans," "program management," "logistics," and "dod." But a business operations analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "provide management," "shared services," "business operations," and "operational efficiency."
Business operations analysts may earn a lower salary than program analysts, but business operations analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $69,138. On the other hand, program analysts receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $79,942.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Business operations analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than program analysts. In fact, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for program analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Program analyst vs. Finance management analyst
A finance management analyst specializes in performing extensive research and analysis to devise strategies that can help a company achieve its long-term financial goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around having an in-depth understanding of the company and its services, gathering and reviewing its financial history and other portfolios, and determining investment opportunities to earn a significant profit. Furthermore, a finance management analyst must report their findings and present action plans, providing a comprehensive explanation to officials, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from program analyst resumes include skills like "veterans," "program management," "project management," and "customer service," whereas a finance management analyst is more likely to list skills in "financial issues," "management reports," "financial policies," and "budget estimates. "
Finance management analysts make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $85,442. On the other hand, program analysts are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $79,942.finance management analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to program analysts. Specifically, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Program analyst vs. Administrative analyst
An administrative analyst specializes in analyzing the company's processes and operations to come up with the best practices for the business. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting research and analysis through site inspections, surveys, interviews, and assessments. They must also coordinate with different department personnel to gather and examine data, ensuring that all processes are profitable and efficient. Furthermore, as an administrative analyst, it is essential to present findings and progress reports in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.
Types of program analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
