Employment of computer systems analysts is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average of all occupations.
As organizations across the economy increase their reliance on information technology (IT), workers in this occupation will be hired to design and install new computer systems. Growth in wireless and mobile networks will create a need for new systems that work well with these networks.
Additional job growth is expected in healthcare fields. A large increase is expected in electronic medical records, e-prescribing, and other forms of healthcare IT, and analysts will be needed to design computer systems to accommodate the increase.
There is also expected to be an increase in the number of systems analysts working at IT consulting firms. These analysts, who will be hired by organizations in a variety of industries to design computer systems, will move on to another business when they are finished. As more small and medium-size firms demand advanced systems, this practice is expected to grow. Systems analysts are expected to grow 43 percent in the computer systems design and related services industry.
Job applicants with a background in business may have better prospects because this occupation often requires knowledge of an organization’s business needs. An understanding of the specific field an analyst is working in is also helpful. For example, a hospital may desire an analyst with a background or coursework in health management.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition