Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between programmer analysts and systems analysts 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 a systems analyst. Additionally, a systems analyst has an average salary of $75,383, 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 systems analyst are customer service, project management, and troubleshoot.
| Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $71,563 | $75,383 |
| Hourly rate | $34.41 | $36.24 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 248,781 | 141,289 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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.
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
Programmer analysts and systems analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Average salary | $71,563 | $75,383 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $91,000 | Between $58,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Western Digital | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a programmer analyst and a systems analyst in terms of educational background:
| Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between programmer analysts' and systems analysts' demographics:
| Programmer Analyst | Systems Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |