Computer Systems Analysts

What Computer Systems Analysts 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.

Career Outlook

National employment outlook, 2024–2034.

Related work experience

None

On-the-job training

None

Self-employed

2.2%

Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.

Key Knowledge Areas

Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.

• Computers and Electronicsimportance 4.6/5
• Customer and Personal Serviceimportance 3.7/5
• English Languageimportance 3.5/5
• Mathematicsimportance 3.3/5
• Administration and Managementimportance 3.2/5
• Education and Trainingimportance 3.0/5
• Telecommunicationsimportance 3.0/5
• Engineering and Technologyimportance 2.7/5

Work Environment

What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.

• E-Mail5.0/5
• Telephone Conversations4.8/5
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.8/5
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.5/5
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.5/5
• Contact With Others4.5/5

Related Careers

• Software Developers
• Computer Occupations, All Other
• Database Administrators
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Database Architects
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• Information Security Analysts
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Careers With Similar Skills

Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.

• Computer Network Architects95% skill match
• Database Administrators92% skill match
• Software Developers90% skill match
• Web Developers90% skill match
• Computer and Information Research Scientists90% skill match
• Chemical Engineers89% skill match
• Aerospace Engineers89% skill match
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers89% skill match

Transferable Skills

Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.

• Systems Analysisimportance 3.8/5
• Systems Evaluationimportance 3.8/5
• Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.6/5
• Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.4/5
• Programmingimportance 3.3/5
• Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.1/5
• Coordinationimportance 3.1/5
• Troubleshootingimportance 3.1/5

Software & Technologies

Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.

Work Style

Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.

• Attention to Detail
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Innovation
• Dependability
• Adaptability
• Integrity
• Perseverance

Career Interests

This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.

• InvestigativeHigh
• ConventionalHigh
• RealisticMedium
• EnterprisingLow
• ArtisticLow
• SocialLow

Where This Career Is Most Concentrated

Metro areas where computer systems analysts make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).

1. 1Lexington Park, MD2.94× national avg
2. 2Huntsville, AL2.93× national avg
3. 3Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA2.73× national avg
4. 4Springfield, IL2.43× national avg
5. 5Tallahassee, FL2.38× national avg

Possible Career Moves

A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.

• Software DevelopersLateral Move
• Database ArchitectsLateral Move
• Database AdministratorsLateral Move
• Information Security AnalystsLateral Move

See the full career path from Computer Systems Analysts →

Related Education Programs

Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.