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The differences between research analysts and portfolio managers 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 a portfolio manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a portfolio manager has an average salary of $114,671, 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 a portfolio manager are portfolio management, customer service, and risk management.
| Research Analyst | Portfolio Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $70,232 | $114,671 |
| Hourly rate | $33.77 | $55.13 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 81,374 | 43,192 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
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.
A portfolio manager is responsible for managing the clients' investment portfolios to advise them of the best investment plans to achieve their financial goals and objectives. Portfolio managers determine the most suitable options by evaluating the clients' credit score and risk potential and the client's financial background. A portfolio manager should be highly knowledgeable and updated with the recent financial industry changes to decide on investment plans with maximum returns.
Research analysts and portfolio managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Analyst | Portfolio Manager | |
| Average salary | $70,232 | $114,671 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $107,000 | Between $66,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a research analyst and a portfolio manager in terms of educational background:
| Research Analyst | Portfolio Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between research analysts' and portfolio managers' demographics:
| Research Analyst | Portfolio Manager | |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% |
| 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 11% |