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The differences between systems analysts and test engineers 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 test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a test engineer has an average salary of $79,832, 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 a test engineer are python, C++, and C #.
| Systems Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,383 | $79,832 |
| Hourly rate | $36.24 | $38.38 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 141,289 | 228,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
Systems analysts and test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,383 | $79,832 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $96,000 | Between $60,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a systems analyst and a test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between systems analysts' and test engineers' demographics:
| Systems Analyst | Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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, 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% |