Computer Systems Analyst Job Description – Salary, Education and Career Guide for becoming a Computer Systems Analyst

As long as there are computers, businesses are going to need computer systems analysts. Computer systems analysts are the backbone of companies big and small, and have become as indispensable to business as a car is to a driver.

Job Description

Almost all businesses now use computers. Computer systems analysts help these companies operate at maximum efficiency by making the most of the technology the company is using. The job of computer systems analyst is not only to fix computer problems but to use computers and technology to meet the needs of the business.
 
Here are some of the responsibilities of a computer systems analyst:
  • planning and developing hardware systems and software that allow computers to complete tasks as needed by an organization
  • improving computer systems already in use.
 
Computer systems anylasts usually work in an office environment; however, these jobs are not limited to corporate business. Hospitals, retail stores, universities and many other organizations also use computer systems analysts. Science and engineering also are growing fields for computer systems analyst jobs.

Salary Guide

Computer systems analyst salaries range from just under $44,000 a year to over $113,000 a year, with an average salary of $73,090. The hourly pay range is from $21.00 to $54.00 with companies as varied as insurance carriers to retail stores.
 
More computer systems analyst jobs are available in New York and Virginia than anywhere else in the United States, with average annual salaries of $84,310 and $83,580 respectively.

Education and Training

Companies usually require an undergraduate degree in computer science or related subjects, such as information science or management information systems.
 
Organizations that are more specialized may require advanced degrees. Science or engineering companies favor education or research related to their fields, while bank may look for an applicant with a graduate degree in finance.
 
Prior Work Experience
One advantage of choosing a computer systems analyst career is that that since they are so universally in demand, virtually all work experience can come in handy. When seeking a computer systems analyst job, it makes sense to look for one in an industry you are familiar with. If you have healthcare experience, a hospital setting may be for you. Have you worked as a paralegal? Law firms need systems analysts as well.
 
Relevant work experience in a field such as information security may also make you a more desirable candidate.

Career Advancement

Prospects for advancing are promising for a computer systems analyst. Promotions often lead in one of two directions: management or systems. Some possible positions available for experienced computer systems analysts include:
  • chief information officer
  • senior analyst
  • systems manager.
 
If you really become an expert in your specific field, you may even go into business on your own by starting a consulting company.

Related Associations and Groups

With the popularity of the job, numerous organizations of interest to computer systems analysts have sprung up. Here are a few of them:
  • Association for Computing Machinery
  • American Management Association
  • IEEE Computer Society
  • International Institute of Business Analysis
  • International Software Benchmarking Standards Group
  • Software Engineering Institute.
 
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