SOC 15-1211.00Bright outlook

    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.

    Median pay
    $105,850
    Growth
    +7.9%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    32,900
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $67,340
    Median
    $105,850
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $167,710
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    519,530 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Computer systems analysts solve complex data processing, network, and system administration problems for businesses and organizations. This career offers a median annual pay of $105,850 and is projected to grow faster than average.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What computer systems analysts do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career analyze science, engineering, and business data problems to design and implement computing solutions. On a daily basis, they review system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations to improve existing computer systems. They also analyze and recommend commercially available software to meet organizational needs.

    This role belongs to the investigative interest area, requiring workers to gather information, analyze data, and interpret its meaning for others. Success in this field relies on strong skills in systems analysis, systems evaluation, critical thinking, and complex problem solving. Analysts must communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, and subordinates while keeping their technical knowledge up to date. Key knowledge areas include computers and electronics, mathematics, telecommunications, and customer service. To handle the daily challenges of the job, workers need to be dependable, adaptable, and highly attentive to detail, while showing intellectual curiosity and a tolerance for ambiguity.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, most workers need a bachelor's degree. This occupation is classified as requiring considerable preparation, meaning candidates typically need several years of related work experience in addition to their college education. Useful college majors for this field include computer systems analysis, computer systems networking and telecommunications, and general computer and information sciences.

    While not always required, professionals can earn various certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples include the CCT Data Center and CCT Routing & Switching Certification from Cisco Systems, Inc., the Certified Computer Examiner, and the Certified Cybersecurity Framework Officer. Some states also list licensing for this work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for computer systems analysts was $105,850. Earnings vary based on experience, location, and industry, with the lowest 10 percent of earners making less than $67,340 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $167,710.

    There were 519,530 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 7.9 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 32,900 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    38 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    90 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    16 / 100
    Social (S)
    15 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    21 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    82 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code ICR. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    99
    Getting Information
    90
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    90
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    86
    Processing Information
    86
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    79
    Analyzing Data or Information
    79
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    76
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    70
    Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    67
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Speaking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Systems Analysis
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Monitoring

    Knowledge

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Mathematics
    • Administration and Management
    • Education and Training
    • Telecommunications
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Administrative
    • Personnel and Human Resources

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Speech Recognition
    • Fluency of Ideas

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Adaptability
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Cautiousness
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity
    • Initiative

    Also called

    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

    Career pathway

    From your interests to computer systems analysts

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Computer Systems Analysts$105,850 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1University of Pennsylvania UPENN logo
      University of Pennsylvania UPENN

      Philadelphia, PA · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $143,850
      4 yrs after
      $241,380
      Median debt
      $11,000
    2. 2Johns Hopkins University logo
      Johns Hopkins University

      Baltimore, MD · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $118,344
      4 yrs after
      $196,467
      Median debt
      $7,625
    3. 3Yale University logo
      Yale University

      New Haven, CT · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $180,081
      4 yrs after
      $188,157
      Median debt
      $15,500
    4. 4Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $137,154
      4 yrs after
      $187,437
      Median debt
      $19,870
    5. 5Rice University logo
      Rice University

      Houston, TX · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $156,465
      4 yrs after
      $182,443
      Median debt
      $8,375
    6. 6Wellesley College logo
      Wellesley College

      Wellesley, MA · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $105,692
      4 yrs after
      $177,213
      Median debt
      $6,500
    7. 7University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus logo
      University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus

      Ann Arbor, MI · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $127,472
      4 yrs after
      $172,904
      Median debt
      $19,250
    8. 8Northeastern University logo
      Northeastern University

      Boston, MA · Computer and Information Sciences, General · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $124,222
      4 yrs after
      $163,708
      Median debt
      $19,500

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What computer systems analysts may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work. Showing 12 of 23.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Computer and Information Sciences, General
    • Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
    • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
    • Information Technology

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    1 state lists a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    • Florida1 license

      • Telehealth

        Division of Medical Quality Assurance, FL Department of Health

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about computer systems analysts

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for a computer systems analyst?

    People in this field are also called applications analysts, business systems analysts, computer architects, computer consultants, and computer systems analysts.

    What college majors are most relevant for this career?

    Students preparing for this career typically major in general computer and information sciences, computer systems analysis, or computer systems networking and telecommunications.

    Are there professional certifications available for this occupation?

    Yes, professionals can earn certifications such as the Certified Cyber Security Professional, the CCT Routing & Switching Certification, and the Certified Computer Examiner.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.