Computer Systems Analyst: Job Profile & Salary

Overview

These professionals must be big-picture oriented, with a clear understanding about how all the components of a computer system—hardware, software, and networks—work together. Designing and developing computer systems is the basic job description, but computer systems analysts often wear a lot of hats. Responsibilities can include choosing and configuring hardware and software, matching technology to users' needs, monitoring and testing the system in operation, and troubleshooting problems after implementation. A key job role is interpreting the system requirements and conveying them to software developers and network architects. A typical day could involve consulting with management and users to identify the goals of the system or preparing cost-benefit analyses to ensure the technology is financially feasible for the company. The position is not focused on the nitty gritty of a specific technology, says David P. Bieg, chief operating officer for the International Institute for Business Analysis. "You need to understand how systems interact, but you don't really need to understand the core of every technology—it's really about how information and process flows through the system," he says. Analysts work with computer systems in a range of industries, including science, banking and finance, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22.1 percent employment growth for computer system analysts between 2010 and 2020. During that time period, about 120,400 jobs will need to be filled. The profession's strong growth prospects helped boost computer systems analyst to the No. 7 spot in our ranking of The Best Jobs of 2012, behind Web developer but ahead of physical therapist.

Salary

The Labor Department reports that computer system analysts made a median salary of $77,740 in 2010. The highest-paid 10 percent in the profession earned $119,070 that year, while the lowest-paid earned $48,360. The most highly compensated positions support the mining and oil and gas extraction industries, and the highest-paying jobs can be found in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn., metro area, Las Cruces, N.M., and Jacksonville, N.C.

Training

Most employers prefer applicants with bachelor's degrees in a relevant field, such as computer science. For technically complex jobs, a master's degree may be preferred, and some employers seek applicants who have a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in information systems. This is also a field that values technical skills, so people who have degrees in other areas may be able to snag a computer systems analyst job if they have courses in business systems analysis or related subjects under their belt. Practical experience also helps. "Someone may not think they qualify in this area, but depending on the curriculum taken, that may, in fact, qualify them," says Bieg.

Reviews and Advice

Whether you're pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree, Bieg recommends taking courses that specifically pertain to business systems analysis. "[Students] need to learn about business systems analysis in order to determine if this is the type of thing they want to do, and also recognize the opportunities being offered," he says. Think of these classes as a gateway to the profession. "There's this gap that exists where students want to understand how to get into a career [as a computer systems analyst] and corporations want to identify students who want to be in that career ... and there's nobody bringing them together to make that happen," says Bieg.

» Real Advice From Real Computer Systems Analysts