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Systems analyst: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$105,850median pay per year, or $50.89 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $67,340lowest 10% earn less
  2. $82,86025th percentile
  3. $105,850median
  4. $134,11075th percentile
  5. $167,710top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median systems analyst earned $105,850 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects 7.9% job growth from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.9%[2]
Openings per year
32,900[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do systems analysts make?

BLS calls this job Computer Systems Analysts. In May 2025, the median wage was $105,850 a year, or $50.89 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $114,610 a year, or $55.10 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. The median for this job is above that figure.

Pay spreads widely. Here are the percentiles[3]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $67,340 $32.37
25th[3][8] $82,860 $39.84
75th[3][8] $134,110 $64.48
90th[3][8] $167,710 $80.63

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $67,340[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 49 states and DC with published data, Rhode Island had the highest median at $134,630[11]. Washington followed at $129,410 and Massachusetts at $128,240[11]. Idaho had the lowest median in that list at $75,310[11].

California had the most jobs at 59,060[12]. Texas (47,990), Florida (35,270), Washington (24,120) and New York (24,100) came next[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $157,140[13]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $134,460[13]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA was next at $133,690[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 26,540, with a median of $128,340[14].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Rhode Island[11]$134,6301,850
Washington$129,41024,120
Massachusetts$128,24022,160
Colorado$127,7506,230
California$127,72059,060
New Jersey$122,89016,520
Oregon$121,6205,640
Virginia$120,84023,190
District of Columbia$116,8202,480
Maryland$113,61015,340
Delaware$110,5602,140
Wyoming$109,780310
New York$109,61024,100
Connecticut$109,6004,800
New Hampshire$107,6702,090
Texas$107,39047,990
North Carolina$106,85020,910
Minnesota$106,35011,330
Georgia$106,24011,640
North Dakota$105,470280
Nevada$104,0602,540
Arizona$103,53011,330
Michigan$103,41014,070
Ohio$102,32019,190
Florida$101,90035,270
Alabama$101,7706,560
Illinois$101,57020,610
Kansas$100,7703,740
Wisconsin$100,4408,340
South Dakota$99,7901,110
Vermont$99,610590
Indiana$98,8109,660
Utah$98,7702,950
Pennsylvania$98,55019,450
South Carolina$98,2807,700
New Mexico$98,2202,290
Oklahoma$95,9303,710
Iowa$95,9204,760
Maine$95,8202,480
Louisiana$95,6602,980
Tennessee$95,63010,220
Kentucky$95,0905,930
Missouri$92,0607,730
Nebraska$91,8102,440
Montana$91,310850
Hawaii$88,6401,670
Alaska$88,520420
Mississippi$86,2801,990
Arkansas$81,7604,100
Idaho$75,3101,650

How to become a systems analyst

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related occupation and no typical on-the-job training[6]. Here is the path the BLS handbook describes:

Some employers hire people with business or liberal arts degrees who have relevant skills, or who gained programming or technical expertise elsewhere[16][15]. Some employers prefer an MBA with an information systems concentration. For technically complex jobs, a master's degree in computer science may fit better[18].

Analysts may keep studying through continuing education during their careers to keep up with new technology[19].

What systems analysts do

O*NET describes the job as analyzing data processing problems and developing solutions, improving existing computer systems, and reviewing system capabilities and workflow. Analysts may also review or recommend commercial software[20]. Common tasks include[21]:

Where they work

The handbook says systems analysts may be employed by an organization itself or work as contractors, often for IT firms[22]. Their projects usually involve working with others[22]. Computer systems design and related services was the largest employer at 23% in 2025[23]. Full-time work is the usual schedule[24]. BLS reports that 2.6% of computer systems analysts were self-employed in 2025[25].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of computer systems analysts to grow 7.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 544,400 to 587,200 jobs, a change of +42,900[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[26]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 32,900 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as brand new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.2% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 2.8% to move to a different occupation[27].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay well above the all-occupations median[1][4]. They also show growth faster than the all-occupations rate[2][26]. A bachelor's degree is the typical way in, and no related work experience is typical[6]. The handbook describes analysts as a link between management and the IT department, and names analytical, business, communication and detail-oriented skills as important[28][29][30][31]. Pay varies by state and city, so local figures are worth checking[11][13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a systems analyst make an hour?
The median was $50.89 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $55.10[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $32.37 and the 90th was $80.63[8].
What degree do you need to be a systems analyst?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. The handbook points to a degree in a computer-related subject or a field such as mathematics[15].
Are systems analysts in demand?
BLS projects 7.9% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 32,900 openings a year[2][26][5].
What is the highest paying state for systems analysts?
Rhode Island had the highest median at $134,630, followed by Washington at $129,410[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer Systems Analysts in the US was $105,850 per year and $50.89 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer Systems Analysts is projected to grow 7.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 544,400 to 587,200 jobs (a change of +42,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer Systems Analysts: 10th percentile $67,340, 25th percentile $82,860, 75th percentile $134,110, 90th percentile $167,710. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 32,900 openings for Computer Systems Analysts are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer Systems Analysts: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer Systems Analysts was $114,610 per year and $55.10 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer Systems Analysts: 10th percentile $32.37, 25th percentile $39.84, 75th percentile $64.48, 90th percentile $80.63. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Computer Systems Analysts in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer Systems Analysts jobs: California 59,060; Texas 47,990; Florida 35,270; Washington 24,120; New York 24,100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer Systems Analysts (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $157,140; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,460; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,690; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $129,180; Colorado Springs, CO $128,740; Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $128,580; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $127,880. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer Systems Analysts jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 26,540 (median $128,340); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 20,000 (median $122,520); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 19,050 (median $133,690); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 18,620 (median $127,040); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 17,470 (median $129,180); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 16,900 (median $121,560). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET description of Computer Systems Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET task list for Computer Systems Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer systems analysts in 2025: Computer systems design and related services 23%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. BLS Employment Projections: 2.6% of Computer Systems Analysts were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  26. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  27. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer Systems Analysts: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.