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The differences between programmer analysts and analyst leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a programmer analyst and an analyst lead. Additionally, an analyst lead has an average salary of $95,264, which is higher than the $71,563 average annual salary of a programmer analyst.
The top three skills for a programmer analyst include sql server, C++ and java. The most important skills for an analyst lead are analytics, data analysis, and project management.
| Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $71,563 | $95,264 |
| Hourly rate | $34.41 | $45.80 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 248,781 | 122,353 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A programmer analyst is responsible for monitoring database performance and software applications, performing basic troubleshooting, and improving program operations as needed. Programmer analysts' duties also include making adjustments on the system based on client's specifications, creating reports for any updates and new system procedures, designing specific technology solutions to improve the business operations, and performing necessary code adjustments. A programmer analyst must have extensive knowledge of computer systems and procedures, as well as critical-thinking skills to perform complex tasks under minimal supervision.
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.
Programmer analysts and analyst leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average salary | $71,563 | $95,264 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $91,000 | Between $74,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Western Digital | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a programmer analyst and an analyst lead in terms of educational background:
| Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between programmer analysts' and analyst leads' demographics:
| Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 19.2% White, 54.3% 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 | 8% | 8% |