Americas Job Outlook for Technical Careers

Employment Field:
Computer Systems Analysts

39% increase in jobs 2002 - 2012

Significant Points

Education requirements range from a 2-year degree to a graduate degree.

Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average as organizations continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies.

Job prospects are favorable.

Nature of Work

Systems analysts help an organization to realize the maximum benefit from its investment in equipment, personnel, and business processes. Systems analysts may plan and develop new computer systems or devise ways to apply existing systems' resources to additional operations. Most systems analysts work with specific types of systems for example, business, accounting, or financial systems, or scientific and engineering systems that vary with the kind of organization. Some systems analysts also are known as systems developers or systems architects.

Working Conditions

Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists normally work in offices or laboratories in comfortable surroundings. They usually work about 40 hours a week the same as many other professional or office workers do. However, evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet deadlines or solve specific problems.

Like other workers who spend long periods in front of a computer terminal typing on a keyboard, computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cumulative trauma disorder.

Employment

Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists held about 979,000 jobs in 2002; including about 89,000 who were self-employed. Employment was distributed among the following detailed occupations:

  • Computer systems analysts 468,000
  • Network systems & data comm. analysts 186,000
  • Database administrators 110,000
  • Computer and information scientists, research 23,000
  • All other computer specialists 192,000

Although they are increasingly employed in every sector of the economy, the greatest concentration of these workers is in the computer systems design and related services industry. Firms in this industry provide services related to the commercial use of computers on a contract basis, including custom computer programming services; computer systems integration design services; computer facilities management services, including computer systems or data-processing facilities support services for clients; and other computer-related services, such as disaster recovery services and software installation. Many computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists are employed by Internet service providers, web search portals, and data-processing, hosting, and related services firms. Others work for government, manufacturers of computer and electronic products, insurance companies, financial institutions, and universities.

Training

Rapidly changing technology requires an increasing level of skill and education on the part of employees. While there is no universally accepted way to prepare for a job as a systems analyst, computer scientist, or database administrator, most employers place a premium on some formal college education. A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for many jobs; however, some jobs may require only a 2-year degree. For more technically complex jobs, persons with graduate degrees are preferred.

Job Outlook

Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2012. Job increases will be driven by very rapid growth in computer system design and related services, which is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, many job openings will arise annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions or other occupations or who leave the labor force.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of computer systems analysts were $62,890 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,500 and $78,350 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,400. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems analysts in 2002 were as follows:

  • Federal Government $68,370
  • Computer systems design and related services 67,690
  • Data processing, hosting, and related services 64,560
  • Management of companies and enterprises 63,390
  • Insurance carriers 59,510

Median annual earnings of database administrators were $55,480 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,550 and $75,100. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,910. In 2002, median annual earnings of database administrators employed in computer system design and related services were $66,650, and, for those in management of companies and enterprises, earnings were $59,620.