State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Computer Systems Analyst Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Computer Systems Analysts is $105,850 a year ($50.89/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 8.7% through 2034, with about 34,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
SOC 15-1211Computer and MathematicalLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $105,850
- Projected growth
- +8.7%
- Openings a year
- 34,200
- Typical education
- Bachelor's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Applications Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Information Systems Analyst (ISA).
How much do Computer Systems Analysts make?
10th percentile$67,340
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$82,860
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$105,850
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$134,110
Upper quartile
90th percentile$167,710
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $105,850 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $50.89/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $114,610 |
| People employed | 519,530 |
Versus all US occupations
At $105,850, Computer Systems Analysts earn 108% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $54,870 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 9% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $167,710 or more while the bottom 10% earn $67,340, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 83% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Rhode Island pays the most at $134,630, and still leads at $131,629 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Computer Systems Analysts the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $134,630 | $131,629 | 1,850 |
| Washington | $129,410 | $120,929 | 24,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128,240 | $121,259 | 22,160 |
| Colorado | $127,750 | $123,967 | 6,230 |
| California | $127,720 | $115,354 | 59,060 |
| New Jersey | $122,890 | $112,945 | 16,520 |
| Oregon | $121,620 | $117,665 | 5,640 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | $119,520 | 23,190 |
| District of Columbia | $116,820 | $106,296 | 2,480 |
| Maryland | $113,610 | $108,242 | 15,340 |
Is Computer Systems Analyst a growing career?
Computer Systems Analysts8.7%
All US occupations3.1%
+8.7% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Computer Systems Analysts to change 8.7% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.8× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 45,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 34,200 openings are projected each year, 6.6% of the 521,100 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As organizations across the economy continue to rely on and expand information technology (IT), including artificial intelligence (AI), computer systems analysts will be hired to design and install new computer systems. Small firms with minimal IT requirements may find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to hire computer systems analysts directly.
How to become a Computer Systems Analyst
Computer systems analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Studying a computer science or information systems field is common, although not always a requirement. Some firms hire job candidates who have a degree in business or liberal arts along with relevant skills.
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Medium preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer systems analysts.
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)50.7%
- Bachelor's Degree41.9%
- Some College Courses4.6%
- Master's Degree1.4%
- High School Diploma0.8%
What does a Computer Systems Analyst do?
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.
Computer systems analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to them. In doing so, these analysts help the organization operate more efficiently.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
- Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
- Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
- Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
- Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
- Develop, document, and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Where computer systems analysts work
| Computer systems design and related services | 23% |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | 14% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 11% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 8% |
| Information | 7% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
- Writing3.4/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Learning Strategies3.1/5
Transferable skills
- Systems Analysis3.8/5
- Systems Evaluation3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Programming3.3/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base reporting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Computer Systems Analyst?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary3.3
Investigativeprimary6.4
Artistic2.0
Social1.9
Enterprising2.2
Conventionalprimary5.9
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Computer Systems Analyst: frequently asked questions
How much do Computer Systems Analysts make?
Computer Systems Analysts earn a median of $105,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 108% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $50.89/hr. The middle half earn between $82,860 and $134,110. The top 10% earn $167,710 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Computer Systems Analyst?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Computer Systems Analysts, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.7% hold associate's degree (or other 2-year degree).
Is Computer Systems Analyst a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.7% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 34,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Computer Systems Analyst do?
Computer systems analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to them. A core O*NET task: troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Which states pay Computer Systems Analysts the most?
The highest state medians for Computer Systems Analysts are Rhode Island ($134,630), Washington ($129,410), Massachusetts ($128,240) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Computer Systems Analyst?
O*NET scores Computer Systems Analysts highest on the Investigative, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.