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The differences between technical analysts and test analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a technical analyst, becoming a test analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical analyst has an average salary of $74,045, which is higher than the $70,997 average annual salary of a test analyst.
The top three skills for a technical analyst include java, customer service and strong analytical. The most important skills for a test analyst are test scripts, test plan, and regression.
| Technical Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $74,045 | $70,997 |
| Hourly rate | $35.60 | $34.13 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 190,370 | 91,308 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A technical analyst is responsible for analyzing technical information and aligning it to the business strategies and procedures in meeting project goals. Technical analysts monitor technical system errors and provide immediate resolutions to ensure an efficient and smooth flow of operations. They comply with the business requirements and clients' specifications to facilitate the technical team with the best techniques to get the job done. A technical analyst should have excellent critical-thinking and communication skills, as well as having a broad knowledge of the technology industry and disciplines.
The duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.
Technical analysts and test analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Average salary | $74,045 | $70,997 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $92,000 | Between $56,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner | General Motors |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a technical analyst and a test analyst in terms of educational background:
| Technical Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between technical analysts' and test analysts' demographics:
| Technical Analyst | Test Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.9% Female, 30.1% | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 18.5% White, 55.1% 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% |