Software Analyst vs. Software Engineer: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
A software analyst and software engineer are both responsible for developing software programs. However, their job duties, skills and education requirements differ. If you’re interested in a career in software development, learning about the similarities and differences between these positions can help you decide which one is right for you. In this article, we compare and contrast these two software development roles, and we provide information on job duties, skills and education requirements.
What is a Software Analyst?
A software analyst is responsible for working with software engineers to help create new software programs or applications. They analyze the needs of the user or client to determine what kind of software is needed. They also help write the code for the software, test it to make sure it works properly, and then train people on how to use it. A software analyst may also be responsible for maintaining and updating existing software programs.
What is a Software Engineer?
Software Engineers are responsible for developing, testing and maintaining software applications. They work with other Engineers, programmers and designers to create new features or redesign existing ones. They also identify and fix software bugs. Software Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They must be able to write code in multiple programming languages and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Software Analyst vs. Software Engineer
Here are the main differences between a software analyst and a software engineer.
Job Duties
Software analysts and software engineers share some job duties, but there are differences in the tasks they perform. Software analysts study a system or process to determine what improvements can be made. They use their knowledge of computing, data analysis and business processes to identify issues and develop solutions.
The daily duties of a software analyst may include conducting user research, interviewing stakeholders and developing requirements documents. A software engineer uses these documents to build solutions that address the identified issues. The duties of a software engineer may include designing and building software applications and testing new systems before deployment.
Job Requirements
Software analysts and software engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field. However, some entry-level positions may only require an associate degree or some college coursework. Additionally, many software professionals pursue certifications to improve their job prospects and show employers that they have the skills needed to succeed in the field. For example, the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) credential is offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society (IEEE-CS) and requires candidates to pass an exam that covers topics like software development methodologies and project management.
Work Environment
Software analysts and software engineers work in different environments. Software engineers typically work in an office or a lab, where they can collaborate with other developers to create new programs for their company. They may also travel to clients’ locations to help them test the software before it’s released.
Software analysts usually work in an office environment, but they may also visit clients’ locations to learn about their business needs. They often spend most of their time working on projects from home, though, so they don’t need to travel as much as software engineers do.
Skills
Both software analysts and software engineers need to have excellent problem-solving skills. They also both need to be able to code, although software engineers typically have more experience and expertise in coding than software analysts. Both roles also require strong analytical skills and the ability to pay attention to detail.
However, there are some key differences in the skills required for these two jobs. Software analysts typically need stronger communication skills than software engineers as they often work directly with clients to understand their needs and requirements. They also need to be able to translate these needs into technical specifications that can be used by the software engineering team. In contrast, software engineers need to be able to take these technical specifications and turn them into working software. They also need to be able to test the software to ensure it meets all the requirements.
Salary
Software analysts earn an average salary of $81,401 per year, while software engineers earn an average salary of $106,619 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the job.