Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between systems analysts and programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a systems analyst, becoming a programmer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a systems analyst has an average salary of $75,383, which is higher than the $73,007 average annual salary of a programmer.
The top three skills for a systems analyst include customer service, project management and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a programmer are java, javascript, and CSS.
| Systems Analyst | Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,383 | $73,007 |
| Hourly rate | $36.24 | $35.10 |
| Growth rate | 9% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 141,289 | 234,565 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
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.
Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.
Systems analysts and programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Analyst | Programmer | |
| Average salary | $75,383 | $73,007 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $96,000 | Between $54,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems analyst and a programmer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Analyst | Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems analysts' and programmers' demographics:
| Systems Analyst | Programmer | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |