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The differences between solutions analysts and software 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 solutions analyst and a software analyst. Additionally, a solutions analyst has an average salary of $80,370, which is higher than the $78,400 average annual salary of a software analyst.
The top three skills for a solutions analyst include project management, customer service and java. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Solutions Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $80,370 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $38.64 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 167,971 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
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.
Solutions analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solutions Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $80,370 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $108,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Meta | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a solutions analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Solutions Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between solutions analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Solutions Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| 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, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |