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The differences between software analysts and software engineers-consultant 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 software engineer-consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineer-consultant has an average salary of $113,987, 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 software engineer-consultant are java, python, and architecture.
| Software Analyst | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $78,400 | $113,987 |
| Hourly rate | $37.69 | $54.80 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 274,053 | 317,033 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.
Software analysts and software engineers-consultant have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Analyst | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Average salary | $78,400 | $113,987 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $99,000 | Between $85,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Foster City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | ConocoPhillips | Advent Software |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a software analyst and a software engineer-consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Analyst | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software analysts' and software engineers-consultant' demographics:
| Software Analyst | Software Engineer-Consultant | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |