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The differences between software analysts and contract software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a software analyst, becoming a contract software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a contract software engineer has an average salary of $102,925, which is higher than the $78,400 average annual salary of a software analyst.
The top three skills for a software analyst include java, C++ and software development. The most important skills for a contract software engineer are java, software development, and database.
| Software Analyst | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $78,400 | $102,925 |
| Hourly rate | $37.69 | $49.48 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 274,053 | 322,978 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Software analysts and contract software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Analyst | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $78,400 | $102,925 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $99,000 | Between $76,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | - |
| Best paying company | ConocoPhillips | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a software analyst and a contract software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Software Analyst | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software analysts' and contract software engineers' demographics:
| Software Analyst | Contract Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |