# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-analysts
- SOC code: 15-1211.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $105,850 (10th percentile $67,340, 90th percentile $167,710)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.9%
- Openings a year: 32,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 38 |
| Investigative (I) | 90 |
| Artistic (A) | 16 |
| Social (S) | 15 |
| Enterprising (E) | 21 |
| Conventional (C) | 82 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 99/100)
- Getting Information (importance 90/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 90/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 86/100)
- Processing Information (importance 86/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 79/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 76/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 70/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 67/100)

## 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

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1109) (CIP 1109, 546 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Analysis](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1105) (CIP 1105, 124 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/johns-hopkins-university-1344) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $118,344 | $196,467 | $7,625 |
| [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $180,081 | $188,157 | $15,500 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $137,154 | $187,437 | $19,870 |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $156,465 | $182,443 | $8,375 |
| [Wellesley College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wellesley-college-3189) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $105,692 | $177,213 | $6,500 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $127,472 | $172,904 | $19,250 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $124,222 | $163,708 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Database Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-administrators): $104,620 median pay
- [Computer and Information Systems Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-systems-managers): $175,140 median pay
- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay
- [Network and Computer Systems Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/network-and-computer-systems-administrators): $99,130 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.