Occupation · SOC 15-1211
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.
Median wage
$103,790
$63,160–$166,030
Projected growth
+8.7%
Faster than average
Annual openings
4,550
per year
Employed (US)
497,800
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,999 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisCritical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingProgrammingTroubleshootingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesCoordinationService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisMathematicsTechnology DesignManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingPersuasionOperation and ControlNegotiationScienceEquipment SelectionManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesRepairingEquipment MaintenanceInstallation
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityDesignSales and MarketingProduction and ProcessingMechanicalGeographyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyTransportationPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyChemistryMedicine and DentistryBiologyBuilding and ConstructionForeign LanguageFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
3M Post-it AppADP Workforce NowAJAXAccess management softwareAcmeStudioActive directory softwareAdaAdobe AcrobatAdobe ActionScriptAdobe ColdFusionAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FlexAdobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopAdvanced business application programming ABAPAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache AntApache CassandraApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache MavenApache PigApache SolrApache SparkApache StrutsApache Subversion SVNApache TomcatApple macOSApplication management softwareArchitecture description language ADLAtlassian Bamboo
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic system malfunctions — identify and escalate following documented troubleshooting protocols under direct supervisor guidance in a corporate IT environment.User support requests — respond to and log computer-related problems such as program errors using a help-desk ticketing system under close oversight.Computer programs and systems — assist with testing and installation tasks by executing predefined test scripts under the direction of a senior analyst.Business data entry and retrieval — use standard office and access software to support inventory or cost-tracking tasks in a structured operational setting.System compatibility requirements — gather and document basic information about existing computer systems to assist with integration assessments.Object-oriented programming concepts — apply foundational syntax and logic in guided coding exercises using a supervised development environment.Structured analysis techniques — collect and organize user requirements using templates and checklists under the direction of a lead systems analyst.Management communication — prepare meeting notes and brief summaries of system discussions to support agreement on basic system principles.Word processing and document management software — produce clearly formatted technical documentation following departmental standards with supervisor review.Oral communication — listen actively and ask clarifying questions when receiving instructions or user problem reports in a team-based office setting.
developing
Program and system malfunctions — diagnose and resolve common failures using established troubleshooting procedures with minimal oversight in a business IT environment.Staff and end-user assistance — provide routine technical support and guidance for computer-related problems, adapting explanations to varying user skill levels.System monitoring and maintenance — coordinate scheduled testing and update installations for computer programs across departmental systems with reduced supervision.Business problem analysis — apply spreadsheet and database tools to develop basic cost analysis or inventory control solutions for familiar operational scenarios.Cross-system integration — link departmental computer systems by configuring compatible data-sharing settings following established integration guidelines.Client-server and web applications — develop and maintain functional application components using object-oriented languages and standard web platform development software.Data modeling and requirements documentation — conduct structured interviews and produce data flow diagrams to capture system requirements for mid-complexity projects.Management consultation — present system design options and trade-offs to supervisors, supporting agreement on principles through clearly written proposals.Requirements analysis software — use architecture and analysis tools to validate that proposed solutions align with documented business and technical requirements.Time and task coordination — manage personal workload across concurrent system projects, meeting deadlines through proactive scheduling and progress tracking.
proficient
Complex system malfunctions — independently diagnose and restore functioning for multi-component failures across integrated business systems in enterprise environments.Technical problem resolution — lead user support sessions for intricate program issues, applying judgment to determine root causes and implement lasting solutions.Full-cycle system testing — design and execute comprehensive test plans, monitor system performance post-deployment, and drive corrective action without oversight.Integrated business systems — analyze production, inventory, and cost workflows end-to-end and design computer-based solutions that address non-routine organizational needs.Enterprise system compatibility — evaluate and redesign inter-system architectures to maximize information sharing and reduce redundancy across an organization.Multimedia and Internet technology — architect and implement web-based and multimedia application solutions using advanced development environments and frameworks.Systems analysis and design — apply structured analysis, information engineering, and data modeling techniques autonomously to plan and deliver complex IT systems.Executive alignment — consult independently with senior management to define system principles, reconcile competing priorities, and secure stakeholder approval.Critical evaluation of technology — assess emerging tools, platforms, and approaches against organizational requirements and recommend adoption strategies with justified rationale.Technical writing — produce comprehensive system specifications, user documentation, and analytical reports that serve as authoritative references for project teams.
advanced
Organizational systems strategy — set the long-range direction for enterprise computer systems architecture, aligning technology investments with business objectives at the executive level.Cross-functional problem-solving leadership — lead multi-team resolution of critical system failures, establishing incident management protocols that reduce future downtime across the organization.Systems analysis methodology — define and institutionalize structured analysis, data modeling, and information-engineering standards adopted organization-wide by analysts at all levels.Enterprise integration governance — oversee the coordination and compatibility of all computer systems across an organization, establishing policies that enable seamless information sharing.Workforce development — mentor and coach junior and mid-level analysts, designing training curricula and growth pathways that build organizational analytical capability.Innovation and technology adoption — evaluate and champion transformative technologies such as cloud platforms or AI-assisted analytics, driving enterprise-scale modernization initiatives.Management partnership — advise C-suite and department heads on system principles and investment decisions, translating complex technical trade-offs into clear strategic guidance.Requirements governance — establish organization-wide standards for requirements analysis and architecture documentation, ensuring consistency and quality across all systems projects.Performance and quality oversight — design monitoring frameworks and evaluation criteria that measure system effectiveness against business outcomes, driving continuous improvement programs.Organizational change leadership — lead the human and process dimensions of large-scale system transitions, managing stakeholder communication and adoption strategies across the enterprise.
Also known as
64 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Applications AnalystApplications Systems AnalystAutomatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner)Business Systems AnalystComputer AnalystComputer ArchitectComputer ConsultantComputer Equipment AnalystComputer Methods AnalystComputer Systems AnalystComputer Systems ConsultantComputer Systems Design AnalystComputer Systems DesignerComputer Systems SpecialistConfiguration AnalystConfiguration ManagerCross Enterprise IntegratorCyber Defense Infrastructure Support SpecialistData Processing ConsultantData Processing Systems AnalystData Processing Systems ConsultantData Processing Systems Project PlannerDatabase AnalystDatabase Design AnalystDigital Computer Systems AnalystEDI Analyst (Electronic Data Exchange Analyst)Electronic Transactions ImplementerEngineering Systems AnalystERP Consultant (Enterprise Resource Planning Consultant)ERP Specialist (Enterprise Resource Planning Specialist)Functional AnalystHealth Systems AnalystImplementation ConsultantInformation ScientistInformation Systems Analyst (ISA)Information Systems Auditor (IS Auditor)Information Systems Consultant (IS Consultant)Information Systems Planner (IS Planner)Information Systems Specialist (IS Specialist)Internet Analyst