What Does a Programmer Analyst Do?

A programmer analyst role offers technical challenges, with the collaborative element of bridging the gap between IT and business departments in order to solve business problems and answer important questions. One day you might be developing and maintaining the software your company uses and flexing your coding skills to create interactive websites. The next day you might meet with managers of different departments to get feedback on what they need from programs, applications, and software.

As a programmer analyst, you’ll work closely with the IT department and other departments across the company. It's a position that requires coding experience as well as the ability to test and maintain programs, adjust existing programs, develop new ones, and execute risk management measures to keep the company's information safe. 

Discover more about the role of programming analyst including job responsibilities, salary and job outlook, and how to make a start on this career path.

What does a programmer analyst do?

As a programmer analyst, you can expect to engage in a variety of job duties and responsibilities, which may vary depending on the company you're working for. Programmer analysts typically have solid coding skills and the ability to test and troubleshoot applications and software programs. You'll likely work for a corporation or a business, or you may work for the government to develop company-specific programs and systems. 

You'll probably also be repairing and maintaining software and systems. Ultimately, your goal will be to assess what the company needs and then develop programs and systems to help the company maximise its operations. Some of the common job duties you may perform as a programmer analyst include:

• Debug programs when problems arise

• Design software programs for new systems

• Manage and update systems 

• Use programming languages to create programs to advance business objectives 

• Analyse, code, test, and document programs

• Execute custom software requests

Typical work environment

If you’re unsure whether life as a programmer analyst is a good fit, considering your typical work environment is a good first step. As a programmer analyst, you’ll be able to work with various types of organisations across many industries, including software, computer system design, aerospace and defence, finance, and business consulting, as well as working for the government.

Collaboration

Because of the nature of the job, you’ll typically find yourself working across departments with many other teams. You'll frequently work with supervisors and management as you assess company needs. You'll also often work with the IT department and project managers as you start working on proposed systems, programs, and applications. 

You can also expect to work with the rest of the IT department as you design and test new systems before implementation. During that phase and downtime when you’re drafting documentation or assessing business needs, you’ll likely interact with other employees across the organisation. 

Understand the common challenges of a programmer analyst

Like many technical careers, working as a programmer analyst can be incredibly fulfilling, but it also can present you with a few challenges. For example, this can be a stressful position, depending upon the company you’re working for and the nature of the job itself. You'll likely have to deal with periods of pressure and work against tight deadlines. You may also have to solve challenging problems quickly, or your code might not work exactly as you expect it to. You’ll need to be ready for anything.

Choosing to work somewhere with a company culture that resonates with you and with managers who manage projects in a way that suits your style can go a long way to helping you best manage potential stress. Other common challenges you might come up against include the following: 

• Experience is usually a plus: Employers often like to see that you’ve got experience, which you can gain by working in an IT or programmer role, or as a software developer, or another analyst-related position. Internships can also help you gain proficiency in both the necessary technical skills, such as coding and developing test cases, and workplace skills, such as flexibility, problem-solving, and stellar interdepartmental communication. 

• You'll likely spend a lot of time sitting at a desk: Like many jobs in computers and IT, as a programmer analyst, you’ll usually spend a lot of time sitting and working on computers. Getting regular exercise outside of work, practising good posture, and making sure to outfit your workstation with ergonomics in mind help keep you comfortable and safe.

• It’s a fast-paced field: As a programmer analyst, you won’t be able to just coast on what you already know. But it is the ideal field for you if you are passionate about learning and open to continually pushing yourself to keep your skills sharp. You can do this by taking advantage of opportunities to read and learn on your own, take online courses, and gain certifications to stay up on all the latest and greatest. 

Programmer analyst salary and job outlook

As a programmer analyst, you can expect to see steady job growth in the future because information technology and software solutions are such a huge part of any business. According to Glassdoor, the median base salary for a programmer analyst in India is ₹4,50,000 [1].  You’ll find that a variety of factors might impact your salary, including experience and location. is 

How to begin as a programmer analyst

To work as a programmer analyst, you need a combination of education and experience, which shows you have both knowledge and skills. Certifications can also help boost your resume. 

Education and training 

Employers hiring programmer analysts usually look for candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, maths, engineering, or information technology. A focus on analytics is helpful.

Additionally, having a master's degree can increase your job prospects, especially in large, well-known companies, although not a mandatory requirement. You might consider an MTech in information technology or computer science engineering, or even an MBA.

Certifications are also important in this field as they demonstrate relevant skills in addition to theoretical knowledge. These are especially important if you wish to specialise. 

Get experience

Having experience can also help in your job search, although the amount of experience you'll need will vary depending on the needs of each company or organisation. Some businesses look for candidates with a few years of experience in developing applications, coding, or programming. Many hiring managers look for candidates who have worked with wire protocol debugging, MySQL, and HTTP protocol. 

Gain relevant skills

With experience and relevant learning, you’ll find you can develop your skill set to include what you need to move forward in this career. As a programme analyst you need a combination of both technical and workplace skills.

Technical skills:

• Project management

• Coding including C++. .NET, and Python

• Programming languages

• Database creation

Workplace skills:

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Attention to detail

• Analytical approach

• Time management

• Adaptability

Next steps to becoming a programming analyst

Programming analysts possess a blend of technical and workplace skills, bridging the gap between IT and business departments and colleagues. Start building your programming skills with Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from the University of Toronto or Python for Everybody from the University of Michigan. If you're looking to transition into a career in software engineering, consider earning your IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate to develop the skills companies are hiring for, all at your own pace.