Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between systems support analysts and software 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 support analyst, becoming a software analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems support analyst has an average salary of $82,219, which is higher than the $78,400 average annual salary of a software analyst.
The top three skills for a systems support analyst include troubleshoot, customer service and database. The most important skills for a software analyst are java, C++, and software development.
| Systems Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $82,219 | $78,400 |
| Hourly rate | $39.53 | $37.69 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 161,168 | 274,053 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A systems support analyst is responsible for supporting the operations of the technology department of an organization, resolving network issues, and maintaining the safety and security of the system database. Systems support analysts must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, identifying system process improvements, upgrading system infrastructure, and assisting end-users with navigation. They also create resolution reports for reference, including recommendations to prevent future inconsistencies and glitches. A systems support analyst conducts regular maintenance checks on the technology servers and immediately performs troubleshooting as needed for optimization.
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
Systems support analysts and software analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average salary | $82,219 | $78,400 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $114,000 | Between $61,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Virtu Financial | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a systems support analyst and a software analyst in terms of educational background:
| Systems Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems support analysts' and software analysts' demographics:
| Systems Support Analyst | Software Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.4% Female, 29.6% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 12.5% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |