What is the difference between a specialist and an analyst?

Answer 1

In the broad sense of the title, a Specialist would be someone that has more in depth experience in a particular area and decision making (or decision creating) capabilities than an Analyst. An Analyst can be someone that has limited experience in the subject matter, however, still be effective in carrying out tasks in support of an overall objective. Research, reporting, recording and trending would be examples of tasks of an analyst (in the non I.T. business world). a Specialist on the other hand would be responsible for the directives and decisions that may come from that work. In the financial industry an Analyst can be an entry level position whereas as Specialist would take years of experience to achieve. In Health Care a Specialist has a specific defined expertise in a subject area and tends to have more responsibility and control in regards to the work that they oversee and decisions that are made as a result of their work.