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Occupation Description

Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software. Exclude persons working primarily as "Engineers", "Mathematicians", or "Scientists". May supervise computer programmers.

View career video with one of the following: Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop.

State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$21.82	$28.10	$36.30	$46.06	$56.94
	Yearly	$45,400	$58,400	$75,500	$95,800	$118,400
Nebraska	Hourly	$20.87	$25.40	$32.30	$39.05	$46.57
	Yearly	$43,400	$52,800	$67,200	$81,200	$96,900

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Nebraska Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, Nebraska Workforce Development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Computer Systems Analysts are grouped into the following occupations for which the most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed.

• Computer Systems Analysts
• Informatics Nurse Specialists

Knowledge:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Skills:

• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities:

• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Computer Systems Analysts.

Knowledge:

• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Skills: No information about "Skills" for this occupation is available.

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Informatics Nurse Specialists.

Tasks and Activities

Computer Systems Analysts are grouped into the following occupations for which occupation specific tasks, the most important generalized work activities, and detailed work activities are listed.

• Computer Systems Analysts
• Informatics Nurse Specialists

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
• Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
• Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
• Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
• Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility and so information can be shared.
• Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
• Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
• Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
• Interview or survey workers, observe job performance or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
• Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
• Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
• Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
• Recommend new equipment or software packages.
• Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
• Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
• Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
• Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
• Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
• Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
• Utilize the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities:

• adjust computer operation system
• analyze business, scientific, or technical problems in electronic data processing systems
• analyze programs using workflow chart or diagram
• analyze workflow
• communicate technical information
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with management or users
• consult with customers concerning needs
• consult with staff or users to identify operating procedure problems
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• design computer hardware or software interface
• design computer programs or programming tools
• design control systems
• design data processing systems
• design data security systems
• design systems in cooperation with colleagues
• develop mathematical simulation models
• develop or maintain databases
• develop records management system
• develop tables depicting data
• encode equations for processing
• evaluate computer system user requests or requirements
• evaluate prototype computer software systems
• follow data security procedures
• follow data storage procedures
• implement computer system changes
• install computer programs
• maintain client-server database
• maintain or repair computers or related equipment
• make presentations
• monitor computer operation
• operate computer networks
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• prepare workflow chart
• program computers for electronic engineering applications
• program computers for management analysis applications
• program computers for medical applications
• program computers for social science applications
• program computers using existing software
• program mainframe computer
• provide technical computer training
• provide technical support to computer users
• recommend software or hardware purchases
• resolve computer program operational problems
• resolve symbolic formulations in data processing applications
• revise or correct errors in computer programs, software, or systems
• select business applications for computers
• supervise programming personnel
• test computer programs or systems
• train workers in use of equipment
• use computer application flow charts
• use computer networking technology
• use computer programming language
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use structural analysis techniques to analyze computer systems
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications

Source: Occupational Information Network: Computer Systems Analysts.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
• Analyze computer and information technologies to determine applicability to nursing practice, education, administration and research.
• Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
• Design, conduct, or provide support to nursing informatics research.
• Design, develop, select, test, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision-support mechanisms to support patients, health care professionals, and their information management and human-computer and human-technology interactions within health care contexts.
• Develop or deliver training programs for health information technology, creating operating manuals as needed.
• Develop or implement policies or practices to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, or security of patient information.
• Develop strategies, policies or procedures for introducing, evaluating or modifying information technology applied to nursing practice, administration, education, or research.
• Develop, implement or evaluate health information technology applications, tools, processes or structures to assist nurses with data management.
• Disseminate information about nursing informatics science and practice to the profession, other health care professions, nursing students, and the public.
• Identify, collect, record or analyze data that are relevant to the nursing care of patients.
• Inform local, state, national and international health policies related to information management and communication, confidentiality and security, patient safety, infrastructure development and economics.
• Plan, install, repair or troubleshoot telehealth technology applications or systems in homes.
• Provide consultation to nurses regarding hardware or software configuration.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in informatics.
• Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or designers using object-oriented models or other techniques.
• Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications to resolve clinical or health care administrative problems.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities: No information about "Detailed Work Activities" for this occupation is available.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Informatics Nurse Specialists.

Tools and Technology

Computer Systems Analysts are grouped into the following occupations for which Tools and Technology information is available.

• Computer Systems Analysts
• Informatics Nurse Specialists

Computer Systems Analysts  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Desktop computers - Desktop computers
• Mainframe computers - Mainframe computers
• Notebook computers - Notebook computers
• Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers - Personal digital assistants PDA

Technology:

• Configuration management software - Application management software, Automated installation software, Configuration management software, HyperSpace software, IBM Rational ClearCase
• Development environment software - Ada, Advanced business application programming ABAP, C, Common business oriented language COBOL, Eclipse software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++, Component object model COM software, Distributed component object model DCOM software, Eiffel, Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
• Program testing software - Compatibility testing software, Defect tracking software, Dynamic analysis software, Functional testing software, IBM Rational PurifyPlus
• Web platform development software - Adobe Systems Adobe Flex, Allaire ColdFusion, Cascading Style Sheets CSS, Hypertext markup language HTML, JavaScript

Source: Occupational Information Network: Computer Systems Analysts.

Informatics Nurse Specialists  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Desktop computers - Desktop computers
• Liquid crystal display projector - Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
• Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS - Medical image database systems
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Overhead projectors - Overhead projectors

Technology:

• Computer based training software - Learning management system LMS software
• Data base reporting software - SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access, Structured query language SQL
• Medical software - Allscripts Professional EHR, Amkai AmkaiCharts, Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR System, Cerner Millennium, Cerner PowerChart
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel

Source: Occupational Information Network: Informatics Nurse Specialists.

Education and Training

Occupation: Computer Systems Analysts
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Bachelor's degree
Related Instructional Programs:

• Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
• Computer and Information Sciences, General
• Information Technology
• Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://traininglink.dol.state.ne.us

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

Related Occupation Profiles
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• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Computer Support Specialists
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
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Web Resources

Computer Specialists
Mathematical Science Occupations

• Computer Programmers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Computer Programmers, California Occupational Guide
• Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers, Job Futures
• Computer Software Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Computer Support Specialists, CareerZone
• Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Computer Systems Analysts, California Occupational Guide
• Computer Systems Analysts, CareerZone
• Data Communications Analysts, Learn More Resource Center
• Database Administrators, CareerZone
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialists, California Occupational Guide
• Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, Job Futures
• Information Technology, WetFeet.com
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators, California Occupational Guide
• Numerical Control Tool Programmers, Learn More Resource Center
• Professional Occupations in Multimedia, California Occupational Guide
• Programming, WetFeet.com
• Software Developer, Princeton Review
• Systems Analysts, Computer Scientists, and Database Administrators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Web Design, WetFeet.com
• Web Page Designers, Masters, and Mistresses, California Occupational Guide
• Webmaster, Princeton Review
• Website Designer, Princeton Review

• Actuaries, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Actuaries, California Occupational Guide
• Actuary, Princeton Review
• Be An Actuary, Casualty Actuarial Society and Society of Actuaries
• Mathematical Technicians, Learn More Resource Center
• Mathematician, Princeton Review
• Mathematicians, California Occupational Guide
• Mathematicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Operations Research/Management Scientist, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences
• Statistician, Princeton Review
• Statisticians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Statisticians, California Occupational Guide