How To Become A Systems Analyst Programmer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a systems analyst programmer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Experts

Brian Glas,

Christian Hansen Ph.D.

Systems analyst programmers play dual roles. They analyze both information systems and program applications for a company or organization. As a systems analyst programmer, you have to manage data as you are to work with large data sets. Also, you are to partner with other programmers. That way, you will aid in the development and implementation of new software. To be sure that programs still serve the needs of clients, you are to continuously modify existing software.

As a systems analyst programmer, you are responsible for supervising different sections of individual software projects. You must also manage these projects. You are expected to provide technical expertise and recommendations during the assessment of new IT software projects.

Most systems analyst programmers study computer science. You must have at least a bachelor's degree in this field or any other related field. You must have excellent organizational and communication skills. Your teamwork spirit must also be very commendable. As a system analyst programmer, you will earn an average of $33.01 per hour or $68,670 per year.

What general advice would you give to a Systems Analyst Programmer?

Brian Glas

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Union University

Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.

ScoreSystems Analyst ProgrammerUS Average

Salary

6.3

Avg. Salary $81,135

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.3

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.41%

Black or African American 10.50%

Hispanic or Latino 11.52%

Unknown 5.04%

White 58.34%

Gender

female 26.82%

male 73.18%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a systems analyst programmer

Explore systems analyst programmer education requirements

Most common systems analyst programmer degrees

Bachelor's

70.0 %

Associate

13.7 %

Master's

11.6 %

Start to develop specific systems analyst programmer skills

Skills	Percentages
C++	8.35%
C #	8.35%
Java	6.00%
Database Design	5.63%
JavaScript	4.51%

Complete relevant systems analyst programmer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New systems analyst programmers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a systems analyst programmer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real systems analyst programmer resumes.

Research systems analyst programmer duties and responsibilities

Develop applications to automate standard reporting process using SAS.
Configure and manage UNIX networking software to provide distribute processing and distribute data access.
Implement new code utilizing SQL, HP/IBM COBOL, JCL, and CICS for online systems applications.
Train and assist junior members in CICS, COBOL and JCL resulting in them becoming more productive team members faster.

Prepare your systems analyst programmer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your systems analyst programmer resume.

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