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The differences between solutions analysts and business analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a solutions analyst, becoming a business analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a solutions analyst has an average salary of $80,370, which is higher than the $74,431 average annual salary of a business analyst.
The top three skills for a solutions analyst include project management, customer service and java. The most important skills for a business analyst are project management, data analysis, and business analysis.
| Solutions Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $80,370 | $74,431 |
| Hourly rate | $38.64 | $35.78 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 167,971 | 170,514 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A solutions analyst is an individual who has in-depth knowledge of a wide range of software products. You will perform various tasks that include isolating key issues, defining requirements and scope, and reviewing a few potential solutions. As a solutions analyst, you will refine the company's business objectives into business requirements and move any project ideas from design to delivery. Additional duties include working closely with stakeholders to understand the enterprise impact assessment, working across all products and channels to ensure business success, and facilitating communication between the stakeholders and the business and technology teams.
Business analysts are employees who are responsible for interpreting business data and coming up with business solutions. They are well-versed in whatever business the company is in, and they have strong business acumen. They collect data related to the business and then interpret and analyze the data. Business analysts should be able to conduct different levels of analyses and must also be able to create a sound study. Once the analysis is done, they provide recommendations or strategic direction to decision-makers that will help the business become sustainable and grow.
Solutions analysts and business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solutions Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $80,370 | $74,431 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $108,000 | Between $53,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a solutions analyst and a business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Solutions Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between solutions analysts' and business analysts' demographics:
| Solutions Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |