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The differences between senior programmer analysts and analyst leads 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 programmer analyst and an analyst lead. Additionally, an analyst lead has an average salary of $95,264, which is higher than the $95,174 average annual salary of a senior programmer analyst.
The top three skills for a senior programmer analyst include java, C++ and sql server. The most important skills for an analyst lead are analytics, data analysis, and project management.
| Senior Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $95,174 | $95,264 |
| Hourly rate | $45.76 | $45.80 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 164,022 | 122,353 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A senior programmer/analyst is responsible for developing and sustaining databases and software applications to achieve business requirements. The professional performs development duties such as coding and testing these applications. The core skills that the job requires include familiarity with applicable data privacy practices and laws, a keen eye for details, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Also, the job requires a college diploma or university degree in the field of computer science, information systems, or software engineering.
The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.
Senior programmer analysts and analyst leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average salary | $95,174 | $95,264 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $122,000 | Between $74,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | AEA Investors | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior programmer analyst and an analyst lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior programmer analysts' and analyst leads' demographics:
| Senior Programmer Analyst | Analyst Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.5% Female, 24.5% | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.8% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |