Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior program analysts and senior systems 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 senior program analyst and a senior systems analyst. Additionally, a senior program analyst has an average salary of $93,415, which is higher than the $82,717 average annual salary of a senior systems analyst.
The top three skills for a senior program analyst include project management, DOD and logistics. The most important skills for a senior systems analyst are project management, java, and sql server.
| Senior Program Analyst | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $93,415 | $82,717 |
| Hourly rate | $44.91 | $39.77 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 132,578 | 154,569 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A senior program analyst specializes in developing and recommending strategies to optimize the operations of different programs in a company. They coordinate with various departments to collect and analyze data, identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing programs, perform extensive research and analysis, conduct risk assessments, determine the trends, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a senior program analyst, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior analysts, all while promoting the company's policies and regulations.
A senior systems analyst is responsible for analyzing IT systems and networks, modifying existing systems for better optimization, and designing efficient technology systems from clients' specifications and business needs. Senior systems analysts regularly inspect the performance of the system networks, ensuring its efficiency and accuracy to support daily operations. They perform troubleshooting, upgrade network infrastructures, and maintain the highest security of the database. A senior systems analyst must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry and a strong command of system languages to mitigate system complexities and improve network processes.
Senior program analysts and senior systems analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Program Analyst | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Average salary | $93,415 | $82,717 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $126,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Varian Medical Systems | Credit Karma |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a senior program analyst and a senior systems analyst in terms of educational background:
| Senior Program Analyst | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior program analysts' and senior systems analysts' demographics:
| Senior Program Analyst | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2% | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |