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The differences between systems engineers and systems analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a systems engineer, becoming a systems analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems engineer has an average salary of $82,834, which is higher than the $75,383 average annual salary of a systems analyst.
The top three skills for a systems engineer include python, linux and C++. The most important skills for a systems analyst are customer service, project management, and troubleshoot.
| Systems Engineer | Systems Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $82,834 | $75,383 |
| Hourly rate | $39.82 | $36.24 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 145,936 | 141,289 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
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.
Systems engineers and systems analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Engineer | Systems Analyst | |
| Average salary | $82,834 | $75,383 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $109,000 | Between $58,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems engineer and a systems analyst in terms of educational background:
| Systems Engineer | Systems Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems engineers' and systems analysts' demographics:
| Systems Engineer | Systems Analyst | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |