COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYSTS: MASSACHUSETTS
Occupation Description
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to implement and
improve computer 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.
State and National Wages
Location
Pay
Period
2013
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Hourly
$24.18
$30.70
$39.03
$49.27
$60.32
Yearly
$50,300
$63,900
$81,200
$102,500
$125,500
Hourly
$25.56
$31.81
$40.17
$50.49
$61.59
Yearly
$53,200
$66,200
$83,600
$105,000
$128,100
United States
Massachusetts
State and National Trends
Employment
United States
Computer Systems Analysts
2012
2022
520,600
648,400
Employment
Massachusetts
Computer Systems Analysts
1
2012
2022
16,820
20,840
Percent
Change
Projected
Annual Job
Openings 1
+25%
20,960
Percent
Change
Projected
Annual Job
Openings 1
+24%
670
Projected Annual Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>
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
**************************************************
Computer Systems Analysts
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:





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.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related
documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions,
operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
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).
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>








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.
**************************************************
Informatics Nurse Specialists
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:





Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related
documents.
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.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of
alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future
problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to
make improvements or take corrective action.
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Abilities:





Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented
through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in
writing.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers
that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or
conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will
understand.
Tasks and Activities:
Computer Systems Analysts
Occupation Specific Tasks:













Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation
of computer programs and systems.
Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions
and program problems.
Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and
correct errors by correcting codes.
Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a
computer program is to address.
Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff
and user requirements.
Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility and so
information can be shared.
Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for
particular systems projects.
Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user
environment.
Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using
techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>








Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational
steps of programs.
Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
Recommend new equipment or software packages.
Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development
processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system
implementation.
Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of
integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
Interview or survey workers, observe job performance or perform the job to determine what
information is processed and how it is processed.
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:















Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Collect data about customer needs.
Configure computer networks.
Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Design integrated computer systems.
Develop diagrams or flow charts of system operation.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Document design or development procedures.
Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
Identify information technology project resource requirements.
Manage information technology projects or system activities.
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>









Modify software programs to improve performance.
Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
Read documents to gather technical information.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Test software performance.
Train others in computer interface or software use.
Write computer programming code.
**************************************************
Informatics Nurse Specialists
Occupation Specific Tasks:














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.
Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
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.
Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or
designers using object-oriented models or other techniques.
Identify, collect, record or analyze data that are relevant to the nursing care of patients.
Develop strategies, policies or procedures for introducing, evaluating or modifying information
technology applied to nursing practice, administration, education, or research.
Develop or implement policies or practices to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, or security of patient
information.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or
conferences to keep abreast of developments in informatics.
Provide consultation to nurses regarding hardware or software configuration.
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.
Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications to resolve
clinical or health care administrative problems.
Develop or deliver training programs for health information technology, creating operating manuals
as needed.
Analyze computer and information technologies to determine applicability to nursing practice,
education, administration and research.
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>



Inform local, state, national and international health policies related to information management and
communication, confidentiality and security, patient safety, infrastructure development and
economics.
Design, conduct, or provide support to nursing informatics research.
Plan, install, repair or troubleshoot telehealth technology applications or systems in homes.
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.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors,
co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant
sources.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize,
organize, and accomplish your work.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new
knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities:


















Analyze health-related data.
Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
Communicate project information to others.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Design healthcare-related software applications.
Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
Develop guidelines for system implementation.
Document operational activities.
Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
Install computer software.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
Train others in computer interface or software use.
Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
Tools and Technology
Computer Systems Analysts
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>
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
Enterprise application integration software - Enterprise application integration EAI
software, Extensible markup language XML, IBM WebSphere, Oracle Fusion Middleware, SAP
Netweaver
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.
**************************************************
Informatics Nurse Specialists
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:





Calendar and scheduling software - McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
Charting software - Microsoft Office Visio
Computer based training software - Learning management system LMS software
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
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>
Education and Training
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree
Typical work experience needed for a job in this occupation: None
Typical on-the-job training once you have a job in this occupation: None
Related Instructional Programs:




Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Information Technology
Distribution of Educational Attainment
Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of
educational attainment is
Occupation
Less
High
Some
than
school
Doctoral or
college, Associate's Bachelor's Master's
high
diploma
professional
no
degree
degree
degree
school
or
degree
degree
diploma equivalent
Computer Systems Analysts
0.5%
4.7%
14.9%
8.2%
47.6%
21.8%
2.3%
Computer Occupations
0.5%
5.8%
18%
10.7%
43.5%
18.2%
3.3%
Computer and Mathematical
0.5%
4.3%
14.6%
8.4%
42.2%
22.6%
7.4%
Total, All Occupations
9.4%
24.5%
20.2%
8.7%
19.8%
10.1%
7.2%
Related Occupation Profiles
Occupations with similar skill requirements









Computer Network Architects
Computer Network Support Specialists
Computer Operators
Computer Programmers
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Computer User Support Specialists
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Information Security Analysts
Source: “Computer Systems Analysts.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net
Development, n.d. Web. 2 April 2015.
<http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=011111111&id=1&nodei
d=2&soccode=151121&stfips=25&jobfam=15&menuMode=>