Published On : September 01, 2010
Education
What's Needed:
- Computer systems analysts often have a bachelor?s degree in computer science information systems or business administration. Since the field spans business and technology degrees in other fields are acceptable if they include programming and other computing skills.
- Some employers will consider an associate degree in combination with work experience.
- Senior positions may require an MBA or graduate technical degree.
- Systems analysts advance through continuous technical learning experience and deepening of their business knowledge.
What you study:
Study topics include:
- Systems analysis and design
- Database management
- Programming
- Web technologies
- Networking technologies
- Information security
- Business administration
What courses you'll take
Below are examples of courses that you'll likely take as a student preparing for a career in computer systems analysis.
| Course | Studies | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Systems | History theory and modern structure of the information technology (IT) field; fundamentals of computer hardware (including components such as hard drives and motherboards) and of software (including operating systems and common programs); terminology and concepts of information science. | Introduce core ideas used in information technology professions. |
| Database Administration | Models and principles of database design; data types (ways of classifying data) and data structures (ways of organizing data); planning implementing and managing databases; using Structured Query Language (SQL); protecting database security. | Familiarize students with principles of database design and management. |
| Network Management and Analysis | Design of safe efficient computer networks; networking protocols including Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP); network infrastructure (computer components that comprise a network); analyzing and improving the flow of information throughout a network. | Ready students to assess and improve network security and efficiency. |
| Business Information Systems | Choosing hardware and software components for corporate information systems; theory execution and administration of databases and other computer systems that support the management level of a business organization; investigating testing and maintaining corporate network security. | Give understanding of information system issues specific to business environments. |
| Information Systems Analysis | Roles of information technology in requirements management (prioritizing and tracking requirements throughout business projects); creating use cases (lists of steps by which the user and software arrive at specific goals); and other aspects of software models using Unified Modeling Language (UML); system prototyping and development. | Prepare students to develop document and improve large-scale information technology systems. |
Video Overview
Quickly highlights what computer system analysts do in their daily work. Slightly out of date but still a helpful summary. Created for the US Department of Labor.
Certifications and Licensing
The value of certification varies by job and industry. Systems analysts in highly technical roles may benefit from technical certification. The IEEE offers the Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) and the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) certifications for candidates in software positions. Also many technology vendors offer product certifications. Analysts in a specific industry such as finance should also consider its certifications or licensing programs.
Job Flexibility
Full-time versus part-time:
Most computer systems analysts work a full-time week that may include frequent overtime. Client emergencies or deadlines sometimes require extended hours on short notice.
Work location:
About 25 percent of computer systems analysts work for computer systems design and similar companies. Finance insurance and other industries also employ a high number while other analysts are self-employed. Although they usually have offices or telecommute analysts often travel to client sites and may stay for an extended length of time.
Recommended Websites
- U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook ? The site describes the computer systems analyst as a key interface between IT and business. It highlights the job duties in an organization with sophisticated computing needs and explains how to enter the profession. For a closer look at the systems analyst career also consult websites within the computing field.
- IEEE Computer Society ? The IEEE Computer Society is the international membership organization for computing specialists. The site?s student community section offers several resources for aspiring professionals such as free courses scholarship listings and employer information. Job candidates can search a jobs board and learn about IEEE certifications.
- The Computing Research Association ? The CRA is a nonprofit focusing on computing research and education. The site?s resources section offers workplace reports that provide valuable information for job candidates students and anyone investigating technology fields. A separate student section has a wealth of academic and career resources for all levels.
- Association for Computing Machinery ? The ACM is a global professional society for scientific computing and education. The site includes a comprehensive Computing Degrees & Careers section that offers accurate and engaging information. Additionally the site has a huge library of technical and career publications.
Salaries by City
See typical salaries and ranges for this career below Shift click to sort by more than one column — for example first shift-click on state and then shift-click on salary to find best and worst salaries in each state.
| State | City / Region | Typical Salary | Salary Range | Job Count | % of All Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | Anchorage | $80500 | $64K – $99K | 40 | 0.02% |
| AL | Birmingham – Hoover | $95360 | $61K – $121K | 350 | 0.07% |
| AL | Huntsville | $82730 | $46K – $114K | 160 | 0.08% |
| AL | Montgomery | $79560 | $43K – $116K | 60 | 0.04% |
| AR | Fayetteville – Springdale – Rogers | $82910 | $58K – $117K | 730 | 0.36% |
| AR | Fort Smith | $83660 | $64K – $111K | 30 | 0.03% |
| AR | Little Rock – North Little Rock – Conway | $71780 | $48K – $106K | 280 | 0.08% |
| AZ | Phoenix – Mesa – Glendale | $100960 | $65K – $132K | 1980 | 0.11% |
| AZ | Tucson | $94060 | $58K – $141K | 270 | 0.08% |
| AZ | Yuma | $100940 | $68K – $119K | N/A | N/A |
| CA | Bakersfield – Delano | $92000 | $49K – $150K | 170 | 0.06% |
| CA | Fresno | $81910 | $54K – $127K | 70 | 0.02% |
| CA | Los Angeles – Long Beach – Glendale (Metro Area) | $80370 | $59K – $142K | 4260 | 0.11% |
| CA | Oakland – Fremont – Hayward (Metro Area) | $97510 | $67K – $165K | 1500 | 0.15% |
| CA | Oxnard – Thousand Oaks – Ventura | $96280 | $65K – $138K | 190 | 0.07% |
| CA | Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario | $82200 | $50K – $137K | 540 | 0.05% |
| CA | Sacramento – Arden – Arcade – Roseville | $106840 | $72K – $145K | 660 | 0.08% |
| CA | Salinas | $90620 | $68K – $145K | 40 | 0.03% |
| CA | San Diego – Carlsbad – San Marcos | $105970 | $66K – $151K | 1130 | 0.09% |
| CA | San Francisco – San Mateo – Redwood City (Metro Area) | $119790 | $82K – $170K | 2010 | 0.20% |
| CA | San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara | $134340 | $81K – N/A | 2830 | 0.32% |
| CA | San Luis Obispo – Paso Robles | $126600 | $43K – $170K | 30 | 0.03% |
| CA | Santa Ana – Anaheim – Irvine (Metro Area) | $104380 | $47K – $145K | 1500 | 0.11% |
| CA | Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Goleta | $85870 | $61K – $132K | 150 | 0.09% |
| CA | Santa Rosa – Petaluma | $98630 | $47K – $160K | 50 | 0.03% |
| CA | Stockton | $81020 | $49K – $102K | 50 | 0.02% |
| CO | Boulder | $88560 | $28K – $122K | 410 | 0.25% |
| CO | Colorado Springs | $98300 | $62K – $139K | 500 | 0.21% |
| CO | Denver – Aurora – Broomfield | $99600 | $54K – $143K | 2200 | 0.18% |
| CO | Fort Collins – Loveland | $89870 | $61K – $136K | 80 | 0.06% |
| CO | Greeley | $77110 | $52K – $141K | 30 | 0.04% |
| CT | Bridgeport – Stamford – Norwalk | $94120 | $65K – $142K | 410 | 0.10% |
| CT | Hartford – West Hartford – East Hartford | $103240 | $66K – $132K | 460 | 0.08% |
| CT | New Haven | $90580 | $64K – $119K | 130 | 0.05% |
| CT | Norwich – New London | $87410 | $51K – $116K | N/A | N/A |
| DC | Washington – Arlington – Alexandria (Metro Area) | $105930 | $64K – $164K | 9870 | 0.42% |
| DE | Dover | $75050 | $58K – $95K | 50 | 0.09% |
| DE | Wilmington (Metro Area) | $95330 | $63K – $140K | 450 | 0.14% |
| FL | Cape Coral – Fort Myers | $60900 | $41K – $94K | 200 | 0.10% |
| FL | Crestview – Fort Walton Beach – Destin | $82980 | $42K – $117K | 110 | 0.15% |
| FL | Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach | $52300 | $36K – $81K | 180 | 0.12% |
| FL | Fort Lauderdale – Pompano Beach – Deerfield Beach (Metro Area) | $63540 | $39K – $107K | 1070 | 0.15% |
| FL | Gainesville | $53480 | $40K – $78K | 700 | 0.59% |
| FL | Jacksonville | $72230 | $40K – $122K | 1480 | 0.25% |
| FL | Lakeland – Winter Haven | $66550 | $46K – $87K | 290 | 0.15% |
| FL | Miami – Miami Beach – Kendall (Metro Area) | $67640 | $42K – $105K | 1320 | 0.13% |
| FL | Naples – Marco Island | $58760 | $39K – $89K | 60 | 0.05% |
| FL | North Port – Bradenton – Sarasota | $50050 | $40K – $86K | 400 | 0.17% |
| FL | Ocala | $63800 | $40K – $95K | 40 | 0.04% |
| FL | Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford | $64020 | $45K – $113K | 2230 | 0.22% |
| FL | Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville | $60700 | $39K – $93K | 460 | 0.24% |
| FL | Panama City – Lynn Haven – Panama City Beach | $64060 | $38K – $94K | 50 | 0.08% |
| FL | Pensacola – Ferry Pass – Brent | $56910 | $40K – $156K | 170 | 0.11% |
| FL | Port St. Lucie | $54090 | $40K – $77K | 110 | 0.09% |
| FL | Sebastian – Vero Beach | $74380 | $45K – $116K | 60 | 0.13% |
| FL | Tallahassee | $53180 | $39K – $83K | 980 | 0.62% |
| FL | Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater | $69620 | $40K – $115K | 3350 | 0.30% |
| FL | West Palm Beach – Boca Raton – Boynton Beach (Metro Area) | $58340 | $38K – $94K | 670 | 0.13% |
| GA | Atlanta – Sandy Springs – Marietta | $92310 | $62K – $136K | 3120 | 0.14% |
| GA | Augusta – Richmond County | $67880 | $49K – $111K | 230 | 0.11% |
| GA | Dalton | $76130 | $57K – $112K | 50 |
