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The differences between release managers and business analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a release manager, becoming a business analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a release manager has an average salary of $109,886, which is higher than the $74,431 average annual salary of a business analyst.
The top three skills for a release manager include release management, project management and software development. The most important skills for a business analyst are project management, data analysis, and business analysis.
| Release Manager | Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $109,886 | $74,431 |
| Hourly rate | $52.83 | $35.78 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 38,547 | 170,514 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A release manager is responsible for supervising project releases across various platforms by closely coordinating with technology and project teams, ensuring the stability and efficiency of outputs according to clients' specifications and business needs. Release managers handle the delivery management procedures from conceptualization to production, maintaining budget requirements and adherence to timetables. They also perform quality check processes to identify possible defects and inconsistencies with the deliverables and adjusting initial project plans as needed.
Business analysts are employees who are responsible for interpreting business data and coming up with business solutions. They are well-versed in whatever business the company is in, and they have strong business acumen. They collect data related to the business and then interpret and analyze the data. Business analysts should be able to conduct different levels of analyses and must also be able to create a sound study. Once the analysis is done, they provide recommendations or strategic direction to decision-makers that will help the business become sustainable and grow.
Release managers and business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Manager | Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $109,886 | $74,431 |
| Salary range | Between $81,000 And $147,000 | Between $53,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a release manager and a business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Release Manager | Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between release managers' and business analysts' demographics:
| Release Manager | Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |