The Average System Analyst Salary & Career Prospects


The average system analyst salary in the USA stands at around $78,000, though it is constantly subject to change due to the dynamics of the IT&C market. Working in this field involves a thorough knowledge of the relevant IT systems of the company you are interested in, and combines very strong IT administrator skills with some understanding of programming and of complex computer functions, processes and software/hardware architecture.

A good system analyst salary can be very competitive on the market and is significantly higher than an entry level systems analyst salary due the great value employers put on experience, especially in this industry. Depending on the economic specifics of the company, a system analyst can focus on computer systems, on business apps and systems, communications equipment, network equipment and other areas of specialty, as required.

System Analyst Inspecting Hardware

Becoming a proficient system analyst is not easy. You should have at least a Bachelor’s in Computer Science or a related field, and consistent practical experience. Skill specialization and experience are your two best chances of landing a better computer system analyst salary.

System Analyst Salary – Influencing Factors

Despite a generally high average system analyst salary across the US, the range from which this average was calculated can vary greatly, depending on a number of key influencing factors:

1.Industry

It would not come as a surprise if we said that the largest system analyst salary in the US is probably found in a major IT&C/Internet company. However, the level of skill and expertise required to get the job is extremely high and analysts working there are usually selected from the world IT and programming elite. At Google, for instance, the average system analyst salary is almost $130,000 per year, while the business system analyst salary can climb as high as $150,000.

However, the information technology, financial and business sectors are packed with successful companies ready to offer enticing salaries to skilled analysts with strong technical skills, for both senior and junior positions. The good news is that a lot of companies need system analysts to help them with their IT systems, from pet shops to multinational banks and corporations. Salaries in smaller firms usually hover around the average system analyst salary countrywide, which is definitely not bad.

2.Location

To find a better system analyst salary, you should clearly head out to the big cities, especially those recognized as traditional IT meccas in the USA. Good system analyst jobs, however, can also be found across the US, technically anywhere where there are companies who require some management and support for their IT systems.

If we were to make a choice, then states like New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California should clearly be on your list. Nevertheless, you can still find a high system analyst salary elsewhere due to the nearly universal demand for IT experts across all sectors of the economy.

3. Experience

As is so many other sectors, the average system analyst salary increases with experience. On average, experienced system analysts earn 30% more than mid-level analysts and 50% more than entry-level analysts. This increase is due to the high degree of technical complexity that most jobs in this field have. The required skills cannot be learned on the move, and at least some formal training is required to get a minimum of basic skills.

Another factor that can greatly increase your salary is the possession of specialized skills and/or knowledge in the business, health or financial sectors, alongside specific IT skills such as .NET, Oracle, data processing, experience with clinical applications, and C#.

Schedule & Working Hours

In general, system analysts work normal 40 hour weeks on normal schedules. In some cases, extra hours are required if urgent projects need finalizing or if unexpected issues appear. Night shifts and weekends are rare. However, you will be expected to be reasonably available during such times in exceptional situations. The workplace will be the office in most cases because you need to stay in close touch with software and hardware alike in order to monitor their status and resolve issues as they appear. In the end, it depends on the job description and the company’s internal policies.

System Analyst Salary by State

Below, we have prepared a summary of average system analyst salaries across the US:

State Annual Mean Wage
Alabama $84,000
Alaska $61,000
Arizona $68,000
Arkansas $85,000
California $89,000
Colorado $74,000
Connecticut $96,000
Delaware $73,000
District of Columbia $88,000
Florida $78,000
Georgia $95,000
Hawaii $51,000
Idaho $55,000
Illinois $95,000
Indiana $80,000
Iowa $82,000
Kansas $76,000
Kentucky $72,000
Louisiana $74,000
Maine $74,000
Maryland $86,000
Massachusetts $100,000
Michigan $84,000
Minnesota $73,000
Mississippi $87,000
Missouri $82,000
Montana $70,000
Nebraska $61,000
Nevada $64,000
New Hampshire $82,000
New Jersey $90,000
New Mexico $73,000
New York $101,000
North Carolina $79,000
North Dakota $74,000
Ohio $80,000
Oklahoma $77,000
Oregon $81,000
Pennsylvania $80,000
Puerto Rico $81,000
Rhode Island $76,000
South Carolina $82,000
South Dakota $63,000
Tennessee $77,000
Texas $81,000
Utah $65,000
Vermont $74,000
Virginia $84,000
Washington $86,000
West Virginia $79,000
Wisconsin $74,000
Wyoming $69,000
US Average $78,173
Average Hourly Wage $26

Career Prospects

The average US system analyst salary is set to slowly but steadily increase because the economy’s need for qualified individuals in this field is growing slightly faster than the speed at which schools and the economy itself can produce them, thus creating a value for scarcity dynamic.

If you have at least a set of basic skills in this area, further personal development in this direction is highly advisable due to the increasing demand for skilled systems analysts across all sectors of the economy. Starting professionals should look towards specialized courses and formal education in the field. Having any of these will give your job application a much better chance to move to the interview stage.

Conclusion

Becoming a system analyst can be an extremely rewarding career choice, if you are passionate about computers and IT. The average system analyst salary is more than sufficient to allow you to both achieve your key life goals and enjoy the finer pleasures of life. The constantly growing market for this occupation will also be a guarantee that system analyst jobs will keep on pouring. This will give you time to perfect your skills if you don’t think you’re up to the task just yet.

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