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The differences between scientific programmers and programmer analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a scientific programmer, becoming a programmer analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a scientific programmer has an average salary of $83,969, which is higher than the $71,563 average annual salary of a programmer analyst.
The top three skills for a scientific programmer include python, visualization and linux. The most important skills for a programmer analyst are sql server, C++, and java.
| Scientific Programmer | Programmer Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $83,969 | $71,563 |
| Hourly rate | $40.37 | $34.41 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 120,563 | 248,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
Scientific programmers are professionals who meet with scientists and researchers to determine and understand their program needs. By using their skills in scientific programming, these programmers must write programs from scratch or create by extensively customizing existing tools. They are required to work with senior programmers so that they can enhance their application development knowledge and skills. They must also assist in product testing with research students and collaborate with design engineers and production technicians when conducting system troubleshooting.
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.
Scientific programmers and programmer analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientific Programmer | Programmer Analyst | |
| Average salary | $83,969 | $71,563 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $122,000 | Between $55,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Tech Data | Western Digital |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a scientific programmer and a programmer analyst in terms of educational background:
| Scientific Programmer | Programmer Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between scientific programmers' and programmer analysts' demographics:
| Scientific Programmer | Programmer Analyst | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 19.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |