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The differences between programmer analysts and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a programmer analyst, becoming a software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, 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 a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Programmer Analyst | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,563 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $34.41 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 248,781 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Programmer analysts and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer Analyst | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,563 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $91,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Western Digital | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a programmer analyst and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Programmer Analyst | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between programmer analysts' and software engineers' demographics:
| Programmer Analyst | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |