Computer systems analysts

SOC Code: 15-1211
Also known as:
Applications Analyst, Applications Systems Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner), Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst
Median Annual Salary
$103,790
+8.7% growth (2024-2034)
34K
Openings/Year
521K
Current Jobs

What Computer systems analysts Do

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

💰 Salary

$103,790
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+8.7%
Much faster than average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

34K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

521,100

Projected Employment (2034)

566,500

Related Careers

Medical and health services managers

$117,960 • +23.2% growth

Database administrators

$104,620 • -0.7% growth

Software developers

$133,080 • +15.8% growth

Computer occupations, all other

$108,970 • +8.2% growth

Top Skills Required

Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Speaking
Active Listening
Writing

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
  • Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
  • Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
  • Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
  • Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
  • Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
  • Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
  • Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
  • Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
  • Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop AJAX Amazon DynamoDB Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 Amazon Redshift Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation Amazon Web Services AWS software Ansible software

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Associate's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Computer systems analysts

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a computer systems analysts:

Computer and Information Sciences, General

67,926 degrees awarded • 882 colleges offer this program

Information Technology

42,322 degrees awarded • 668 colleges offer this program

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

13,753 degrees awarded • 475 colleges offer this program

Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst

3,034 degrees awarded • 81 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Computer systems analysts

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become computer systems analysts.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 1,446 A+
2 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA 4,259 A
3 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 1,200 A
4 New York University New York, NY 1,175 A
5 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 1,115 A
6 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 931 A
7 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 770 A
8 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 739 A
9 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 662 A
10 University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA 457 A
11 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 440 A
12 Rice University Houston, TX 349 A
13 Northeastern University Boston, MA 1,757 B+
14 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 1,252 B+
15 Florida International University Miami, FL 1,087 B+
16 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 1,033 B+
17 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 994 B+
18 New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ 895 B+
19 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 814 B+
20 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 650 B+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do computer systems analysts make?
The median annual salary for computer systems analysts is $103,790.
What education do computer systems analysts need?
Most computer systems analysts positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Computer and Information Sciences, General, Information Technology, Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.
Is becoming computer systems analysts a good career choice?
Computer systems analysts is projected to see +8.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 34,200 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for computer systems analysts?
Top colleges for aspiring computer systems analysts include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, The University of Texas at Austin, New York University, University of Florida. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to computer systems analysts?
Computer systems analysts may also be known as: Applications Analyst, Applications Systems Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner), Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst, Computer Architect, Computer Consultant, Computer Equipment Analyst, Computer Methods Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Computer Systems Design Analyst, Computer Systems Designer, Computer Systems Specialist, Configuration Analyst, Cross Enterprise Integrator, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, Data Processing Consultant, Data Processing Systems Analyst, Data Processing Systems Consultant. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.