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The differences between systems analysts and applications 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 systems analyst and an applications analyst. Additionally, an applications analyst has an average salary of $80,144, which is higher than the $75,383 average annual salary of a systems analyst.
The top three skills for a systems analyst include customer service, project management and troubleshoot. The most important skills for an applications analyst are healthcare, customer service, and patients.
| Systems Analyst | Applications Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $75,383 | $80,144 |
| Hourly rate | $36.24 | $38.53 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 141,289 | 110,833 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
An applications analyst is an individual hired by a company to administer, monitor, and maintain all its software infrastructure and applications. Applications analysts must ensure the integrity and safety of all data and applications so that the company business can run smoothly and succeed. They are required to collaborate with applications developers and software engineers to provide a diagnosis of application errors and create long- and short-term resolutions. Applications analysts should also provide training and support of staff in using applications.
Systems analysts and applications analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Analyst | Applications Analyst | |
| Average salary | $75,383 | $80,144 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $96,000 | Between $58,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Ceridian |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a systems analyst and an applications analyst in terms of educational background:
| Systems Analyst | Applications Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems analysts' and applications analysts' demographics:
| Systems Analyst | Applications Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |