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Important Career Information
Employment is expected to increase much faster than average.
Excellent job prospects are expected as organizations continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies.
Employers generally prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree; relevant work experience also is very important.
Salary: How Much Do Computer Systems Analysts Make?
Median annual pay of computer systems analysts were $75,500 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent were paid between $58,460 and $95,810 a year. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $45,390, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $118,440. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems analysts in May 2008 were:
Professional and commercial equipment and supplies wholesalers $89,670
Computer systems design and related services 78,680
Data processing, hosting, and related services 78,010
Management of companies and enterprises 76,070
Insurance carriers 74,610
What does a Computer Systems Analyst do? Computer Systems Analyst Jobs, Job Description, and Responsibilities
Computer systems analysts solve computer problems and apply computer technology to meet the individual needs of an organization. A computer systems analyst helps an organization to realize the maximum benefit from its investment in equipment, personnel, and business processes. Systems analysts may plan and develop new computer systems or devise ways to apply existing systems' resources to additional operations. A computer systems analyst may design new systems, including both hardware and software, or add a new software application to harness more of the computer's power. Most systems analysts work with specific types of systems—for example, business, accounting, or financial systems, or scientific and engineering systems—that vary with the kind of organization. Some commputer systems analysts also are known as systems developers or systems architects.
A systems analyst begins an assignment by discussing the systems problem with managers and users to determine its exact nature. Defining the goals of the system and dividing the solutions into individual steps and separate procedures, a system analyst uses techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, mathematical model building, sampling, and cost accounting to plan the system. A systems analyst specifies the inputs to be accessed by the system, design the processing steps, and format the output to meet users' needs. An analyst also may prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to help management decide whether implementing the proposed technology will be financially feasible.
When a system is accepted, the computer systems analyst determines what computer hardware and software will be needed to set the system up. The systems analyst coordinates tests and observes the initial use of the system to ensure that it performs as planned. A systems analyst prepares specifications, flow charts, and process diagrams for computer programmers to follow; then, they work with programmers to "debug," or eliminate, errors from the system. A computer systems analyst who does more in-depth testing of products may be referred to as a software quality assurance analyst. In addition to running tests, these analysts diagnose problems, recommend solutions, and determine whether program requirements have been met.
Many computer systems analysts are involved with "networking," connecting all the computers internally—in an individual office, department, or establishment—or externally. A primary goal of networking is to allow users to retrieve data from a mainframe computer or a server and use it on their desktop computer. A computer systems analyst must design the hardware and software to allow the free exchange of data, custom applications, and the computer power to process it all. For example, computer systems analysts are called upon to ensure the compatibility of computing systems between and among businesses to facilitate electronic commerce.
Job Working Conditions for Computer Systems Analysts
A computer systems analyst works in offices or laboratories in comfortable surroundings. They usually work about 40 hours a week. However, evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet deadlines or solve specific problems. Given the technology available today, telecommuting is common for computer professionals. As networks expand, more work can be done from remote locations through modems, laptops, electronic mail, and the Internet.
Computer Systems Analyst Training, College Programs, and Advancement
Rapidly changing technology requires an increasing level of skill and education on the part of a computer systems analyst. Companies increasingly look for an analyst with a broad background and range of skills, including not only technical knowledge, but also communication and other interpersonal skills. This shift from requiring a computer systems analyst to possess solely sound technical knowledge, emphasizes specialists who can handle various responsibilities. While there is no universally accepted way to prepare for a job as a systems analyst, most employers place a premium on some formal college education. Relevant work experience also is very important. For more technically complex jobs, a computer systems analyst with a graduate degrees is preferred.
Many employers seek applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS). MIS programs usually are part of the business school or college and differ considerably from computer science programs, emphasizing business and management-oriented course work and business computing courses. Employers are increasingly seeking computer systems analysts with a master's degree in business administration (MBA), with a concentration in information systems, as more firms move their business to the Internet.
A computer systems analyst must be able to think logically and have good communication skills. Because a computer systems analyst often deals with a number of tasks simultaneously, the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail is important. Although a computer systems analyst sometimes works independently, analysts frequently work in teams on large projects. A systems analyst must be able to communicate effectively with computer personnel, such as programmers and managers, as well as with users or other staff who may have no technical computer background.
A computer systems analyst may be promoted to senior or lead systems analyst. Analysts who show leadership ability also can become project managers or advance into management jobs such as manager of information systems or chief information officer. Analyists with work experience and considerable expertise in a particular subject or a certain application may find lucrative opportunities as independent consultants or may choose to start their own computer consulting firms.
Where are the Jobs? Computer Systems Analyst Jobs
Computer systems analysts held about 487,000 jobs in 2004; about 28,000 were self-employed.
Although computer systems analysts are increasingly employed in every sector of the economy, the greatest concentration of analysts is in the computer systems design and related services industry. Firms in this industry provide services related to the commercial use of computers on a contract basis, including custom computer programming services; computer systems integration design services; computer facilities management services, including computer systems or data processing facilities support services for clients; and other computer services, such as disaster recovery services and software installation. Computer systems analysts are also employed by governments, insurance companies, financial institutions, Internet service providers, data processing services firms, and universities.
A growing number of computer systems analysts are employed on a temporary or contract basis; many of analysts are self-employed, working independently as contractors or consultants. For example, a company installing a new computer system may need the services of several systems analysts just to get the system running. Because not all of the computer system analysts would be needed once the system is functioning, the company might contract for such analysts with a temporary help agency or a consulting firm or with the system analysts themselves. Such systems analyst jobs may last from several months up to 2 years or more. This growing practice enables companies to bring in people with the exact skills the firm needs to complete a particular project, rather than having to spend time or money training or retraining existing workers. Often, experienced consultants then train a company's in-house staff as a project develops.
Job Outlook and Job Opportunities for Computer Systems Analysts
Workers in the career should enjoy favorable job prospects. The demand for networking to facilitate the sharing of information, the expansion of client-server environments, and the need for computer specialists to use their knowledge and skills in a problem-solving capacity will be major factors in the rising demand for computer systems analysts. In order to maintain a competitive edge and operate more efficiently, firms will keep demanding computer systems analysts who are knowledgeable about the latest technologies and are able to apply them to meet the needs of businesses.
Increasingly, more sophisticated and complex technology is being implemented across all organizations, which should fuel the demand for these computer careers. Also, the increasing importance being placed on "cybersecurity"—the protection of electronic information—will result in a need for computer system analysts skilled in information security.
College graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or MIS also should enjoy favorable prospects for jobs, particularly if they have supplemented their formal education with practical experience.
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Jobs for computer systems analysts are expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through the year 2014 as organizations continue to adopt and integrate increasingly sophisticated technologies. Job increases will be driven by very rapid growth in computer system design and related services, which is projected to be among the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, many systems analyst job openings will arise annually from the need to replace analysts who move into managerial jobs or other careers or analysts who leave the labor force. Computer systems analyst job growth will not be as rapid as during the previous decade, however, as the information technology sector begins to mature and as routine work is increasingly outsourced to lower-wage foreign countries.
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According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science averaged $53,396. Starting offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in information sciences and systems averaged $50,852. For those with a degree in management information systems/business data processing, starting offers averaged $47,648.
According to Robert Half Technology, starting salaries for systems analysts ranged from $64,000 to $87,000 in 2007. Starting salaries for business systems analysts ranged from $61,250 to $86,500. Starting salaries for developer/programmer analysts ranged from $55,250 to $90,250.
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Jobs for computer systems analysts are expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through the year 2014 as organizations continue to adopt and integrate increasingly sophisticated technologies. Job increases will be driven by very rapid growth in computer system design and related services, which is projected to be among the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, many systems analyst job openings will arise annually from the need to replace analysts who move into managerial jobs or other careers or analysts who leave the labor force. Computer systems analyst job growth will not be as rapid as during the previous decade, however, as the information technology sector begins to mature and as routine work is increasingly outsourced to lower-wage foreign countries.
