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The differences between research analysts and investment 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 research analyst, becoming an investment analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an investment analyst has an average salary of $79,056, which is higher than the $70,232 average annual salary of a research analyst.
The top three skills for a research analyst include data analysis, data collection and research projects. The most important skills for an investment analyst are portfolio management, financial statements, and strong analytical.
| Research Analyst | Investment Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $70,232 | $79,056 |
| Hourly rate | $33.77 | $38.01 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 81,374 | 63,003 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A research analyst is responsible for providing a company with insights and advice concerning finance, investments, and expenditures. Utilizing their analytical skills and extensive expertise in marketing, they analyze the trends and significant factors to conclude which decision should be the best to make. They can also take part in conducting an in-depth analysis of a business and examine which areas require improvement or has potential. Furthermore, they may work with a company or independently as a freelance analyst.
An Investment Analyst provides research and information to help traders, fund managers and stock brokers make decisions about investments. They are hired by companies, investment trusts, stock trading and brokerage firms, and insurance providers.
Research analysts and investment analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Analyst | Investment Analyst | |
| Average salary | $70,232 | $79,056 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $107,000 | Between $44,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a research analyst and an investment analyst in terms of educational background:
| Research Analyst | Investment Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Finance |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between research analysts' and investment analysts' demographics:
| Research Analyst | Investment Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 7% |