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The differences between requirements analysts and software 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 requirements analyst and a software analyst. Additionally, a requirements analyst has an average salary of $86,493, which is higher than the $78,400 average annual salary of a software analyst.
The top three skills for a requirements analyst include DOD, architecture and project management. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Requirements Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $86,493 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $41.58 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 112,266 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
To make programs and projects work, a requirements analyst must perform extensive research and analysis to identify and understand its needs. In the information technology industry, a requirements analyst is primarily in charge of gathering and analyzing feedback from clients, producing comprehensive reports, and presenting them to the software development teams. Moreover, a requirements analyst is also in charge of bridging the communication between stakeholders and information technology workforce for an efficient and smooth workflow, updating them with progress reports as needed.
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
Requirements analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Requirements Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $86,493 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $118,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | - | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a requirements analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Requirements Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between requirements analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Requirements Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.7% Female, 49.3% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |