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Subject matter expert vs process analyst

The differences between subject matter experts and process analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a subject matter expert and a process analyst. Additionally, a subject matter expert has an average salary of $103,749, which is higher than the $73,233 average annual salary of a process analyst.

The top three skills for a subject matter expert include SME, project management and DOD. The most important skills for a process analyst are process improvement, project management, and customer service.

Subject matter expert vs process analyst overview

Subject Matter ExpertProcess Analyst
Yearly salary$103,749$73,233
Hourly rate$49.88$35.21
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs58,235123,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a subject matter expert do?

A subject matter expert is someone who has special knowledge and expertise about a specific process or service, providing advice to other team members or directly assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns. Subject matter experts coordinate on planning strategic procedures to improve the work processes and ensure customer satisfaction. They are also active in participating in learning programs and training sessions to share their knowledge and best practices for their specialization. Subject matter experts identify potential business opportunities to generate more revenues for the business and achieve its profitability goals.

What does a process analyst do?

A process analyst is also known as an operations research analyst, who evaluates in detail the steps in producing products and making important decisions as well as providing recommendations on how to enhance them. They are IT specialists that analyze the business process and workflows to determine how they can be computerized and improved. Responsibilities include identifying problems and risks as well as engaging in problem resolution. Important skills to consider for applicants include being innovative thinkers and goal-oriented.

Subject matter expert vs process analyst salary

Subject matter experts and process analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Subject Matter ExpertProcess Analyst
Average salary$103,749$73,233
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $146,000Between $49,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryEnergyFinance

Differences between subject matter expert and process analyst education

There are a few differences between a subject matter expert and a process analyst in terms of educational background:

Subject Matter ExpertProcess Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Subject matter expert vs process analyst demographics

Here are the differences between subject matter experts' and process analysts' demographics:

Subject Matter ExpertProcess Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.8% Female, 36.2%Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 12.1% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 12.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between subject matter expert and process analyst duties and responsibilities

Subject matter expert example responsibilities.

  • Prepare custom perl scripts to automate various monitoring functions.
  • Manage PKI SSL web certificates for Linux and Unix servers.
  • Manage the multiple CSS's require by the different organizations.
  • Develop stored procedures and complex packages using PL/SQL, manage DBA activities.
  • Manage the on-the-job training (OJT) of all new personnel on equipment and SIGINT analytical procedures
  • Participate in and hold daily scrum meetings to perform iterative and incremental agile software development framework when managing product development.
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Process analyst example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and implementation of application and infrastructure solutions that are stable, operationally healthy, and supportable in production.
  • Develop and manage department SharePoint site to use as a collaborative document management tool.
  • Collaborate with project manager in tracking and managing project development process following RUP base SDLC methodologies.
  • Used Visio for process mapping to review operational procedures when determining areas of improvement.
  • Look at Java code to help debug it.
  • Test CRM platform through complex use of matrices to be able to segment a database for a more applicable personal contact.
  • Show more

Subject matter expert vs process analyst skills

Common subject matter expert skills
  • SME, 18%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Logistics, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Windows, 4%
Common process analyst skills
  • Process Improvement, 9%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Business Processes, 4%

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