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The differences between senior systems analysts and lead system 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 systems analyst and a lead system analyst. Additionally, a lead system analyst has an average salary of $106,561, which is higher than the $82,717 average annual salary of a senior systems analyst.
The top three skills for a senior systems analyst include project management, java and sql server. The most important skills for a lead system analyst are project management, architecture, and C #.
| Senior Systems Analyst | Lead System Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $82,717 | $106,561 |
| Hourly rate | $39.77 | $51.23 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 154,569 | 124,634 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A lead system analyst is someone who designs and analyzes existing systems used in a company. The person getting this position is tasked with reviewing all existing business processes, providing suggestions for improvements, and requesting upgrades. This position is vital for many businesses, especially ones focused on rapid business processing activities. Alongside this primary role, the lead system analyst also guides clients on the proper course of business systems and what changes are necessary to maximize the business's potential for success.
Senior systems analysts and lead system analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Analyst | Lead System Analyst | |
| Average salary | $82,717 | $106,561 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $82,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Starbucks |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior systems analyst and a lead system analyst in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Analyst | Lead System Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior systems analysts' and lead system analysts' demographics:
| Senior Systems Analyst | Lead System Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |