Computer Systems Analysts
Also called Business Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst, Programmer Analyst, or Systems Analyst
Updated · Source: O*NET 31.0
What Computer Systems Analysts do
You sit between the people who use computer systems and the technology itself, figuring out what an organization needs and making the software deliver it.
Computer systems analysts study how an organization works and how its computer systems could work better. You look at problems in business, science, or engineering, then plan and design systems that solve them. That might mean connecting programs that cannot share information, testing new software, or recommending a product the company can buy instead of building its own.
A lot of the job is talking and listening. You interview the people who will use a system, then write it down as a clear list of exactly what the system has to do, so the people building it know what to make. You check in with managers so everyone agrees on how it should work. When something breaks, you help track down the cause and get things running again.
A day in the life
You work indoors at a desk, in a climate-controlled office, sitting for long stretches. Your morning might start with email and a meeting where a department explains why their current process is slow. You listen, ask questions, and take notes. Then you go quiet for an hour or two, mapping out how information moves through the system and where it gets stuck. Later you help install a new program, test it, and watch for errors. Someone messages you because a report will not run, so you troubleshoot it. You are part of a team, but plenty of the thinking happens alone. Deadlines are real, and a system that has to start being used by real people on Friday shapes your whole week.
This could fit you if you…
- ✓Like taking apart a messy problem and finding the pattern underneath
- ✓Can explain technical things to people who are not technical
- ✓Enjoy listening carefully to what people actually need, not just what they first say
- ✓Want computer work that still involves a lot of conversation
- ✓Stay calm when something breaks and people are waiting
You might not like it if you…
- –Want to write code all day rather than split your time between meetings and analysis
- –Dislike sitting indoors at a desk for most of your working hours
- –Find deadlines and time pressure draining
- –Prefer work where the requirements never change partway through a project
How people get in
- 1Take math, writing, and any computer or programming classes your school offers, and practice explaining technical ideas out loud.
- 2Earn a bachelor's degree, which is the typical entry-level education. Common paths include computer and information sciences, information technology, computer systems networking and telecommunications, or a program specifically in computer systems analysis.
- 3Build comfort with programming and databases through coursework or personal projects, so you can talk credibly with the people who build software.
- 4Look for an internship, or a help-desk or support role where you answer questions from people having computer trouble and see how real users struggle with real systems.
- 5Start in a junior or associate analyst role, often supporting a more experienced analyst, and take on your own projects as you learn the organization's systems.
- 6Keep learning the business side too, since knowing how a company actually runs is a big part of designing systems that fit it.
Who tends to enjoy it
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Official task list
Computer Systems Analysts 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. (O*NET)
- 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.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation
What you'll need to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
How much Computer Systems Analysts make
The median pay for Computer Systems Analysts in the U.S. is $105,850 a year ($50.89 an hour). Most earn between $67,340 and $167,710. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025)
Pay depends a lot on where you live: the median is highest in Rhode Island ($134,630) and lowest in U.S. Virgin Islands ($59,430).
Pay by state and territory
| State | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $101,770 | 6,560 |
| Alaska | $88,520 | 420 |
| Arizona | $103,530 | 11,330 |
| Arkansas | $81,760 | 4,100 |
| California | $127,720 | 59,060 |
| Colorado | $127,750 | 6,230 |
| Connecticut | $109,600 | 4,800 |
| Delaware | $110,560 | 2,140 |
| District of Columbia | $116,820 | 2,480 |
| Florida | $101,900 | 35,270 |
| Georgia | $106,240 | 11,640 |
| Guam | $59,900 | 60 |
| Hawaii | $88,640 | 1,670 |
| Idaho | $75,310 | 1,650 |
| Illinois | $101,570 | 20,610 |
| Indiana | $98,810 | 9,660 |
| Iowa | $95,920 | 4,760 |
| Kansas | $100,770 | 3,740 |
| Kentucky | $95,090 | 5,930 |
| Louisiana | $95,660 | 2,980 |
| Maine | $95,820 | 2,480 |
| Maryland | $113,610 | 15,340 |
| Massachusetts | $128,240 | 22,160 |
| Michigan | $103,410 | 14,070 |
| Minnesota | $106,350 | 11,330 |
| Mississippi | $86,280 | 1,990 |
| Missouri | $92,060 | 7,730 |
| Montana | $91,310 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $91,810 | 2,440 |
| Nevada | $104,060 | 2,540 |
| New Hampshire | $107,670 | 2,090 |
| New Jersey | $122,890 | 16,520 |
| New Mexico | $98,220 | 2,290 |
| New York | $109,610 | 24,100 |
| North Carolina | $106,850 | 20,910 |
| North Dakota | $105,470 | 280 |
| Ohio | $102,320 | 19,190 |
| Oklahoma | $95,930 | 3,710 |
| Oregon | $121,620 | 5,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,550 | 19,450 |
| Puerto Rico | $63,730 | 1,280 |
| Rhode Island | $134,630 | 1,850 |
| South Carolina | $98,280 | 7,700 |
| South Dakota | $99,790 | 1,110 |
| Tennessee | $95,630 | 10,220 |
| Texas | $107,390 | 47,990 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $59,430 | 40 |
| Utah | $98,770 | 2,950 |
| Vermont | $99,610 | 590 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | 23,190 |
| Washington | $129,410 | 24,120 |
| Wisconsin | $100,440 | 8,340 |
| Wyoming | $109,780 | 310 |
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Computer and Information Sciences 1,032 colleges
- Information Technology 783 colleges
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 600 colleges
- Computer Systems Analysis / Analyst 113 colleges
Related careers
Computer and Mathematical
Software Developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
$135,980/yr median Considerable preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
$116,580/yr median Medium preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Database Administrators
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
$104,620/yr median Considerable preparation
Management
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
$175,140/yr median Considerable preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Database Architects
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
$139,500/yr median Considerable preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
$99,130/yr median Medium preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Information Security Analysts
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
$129,180/yr median Considerable preparation
Computer and Mathematical
Information Security Engineers
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.
$116,580/yr median Considerable preparation
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 15-1211.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 15-1211. Outlook and entry education: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.