Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Overview
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects has a national median salary of $116,580 per year, with +5.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.
Description
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
Work Values
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
Work Styles
Responsibilities
Tasks
- Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
- Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
- Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
- Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
- Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
T-A-S-K
Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge
Technology Skills
- Web platform development software
- Project management software
- Development environment software
- Operating system software
- Data base management system software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Systems Analysis
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
Education
Education Levels of Current Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.
Certificates
Certifications applicable to Computer Systems Engineers/Architects:
| Certificate name | Certifying Organization | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Administration of Data Center Security: Server Advanced 6.7 | Broadcom Inc. | D |
| Administration of Symantec Cloud Workload Protection - R1 | Broadcom Inc. | D |
| Administration of Symantec Data Loss Prevention 15.5 | Broadcom Inc. | D |
| Administration of Symantec Security Analytics 8.0 | Broadcom Inc. | D |
| Adobe Experience Manager Site Architect Master Certification | Adobe Systems Incorporated | D |
| Aruba Certified Design Expert (ACDX) | Hewlett Packard Certification and Learning | D |
| Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) | Hewlett Packard Certification and Learning | D |
| Avamar Operate (DCS-IE) | Dell Corporation | D |
Income & Employability
Income Percentile
The median (50th percentile) is the middle wage; 10% earn less than the low figure and 10% earn more than the high figure.
| Low (10%) | $55,940 |
| Median (50%) | $116,580 |
| High (90%) | $188,470 |
Income by Experience
How pay typically grows from entry level (0–2 yrs) to expert (8+ yrs).
Experience data not available.
Employability
There are currently 471,200 jobs in this career path (2025). That number is projected to grow to 495,300 by 2035, a +5.1% change.
+5.1% growthVideo Resources
Training Programs
29 programs at 12 schools on Career School App prepare students for a career as Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, including Cybersecurity (29). Showing 24.
- Cyber Security and Information Technology SpecialistABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CAAssociate Degree · 15 months
- Applied CybersecurityAparicio-Levy Technical College · Tampa, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours (9 months)
- Cloud and Computer SecurityAsher College · Dallas, TXAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Applied CybersecurityCharlotte Technical College · Port Charlotte, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours — about 23 weeks
- Cybersecurity and Network TechnologyEastwick College · Nutley, NJAssociate Degree · 21 months
- Applied CybersecurityEmerald Coast Technical College · DeFuniak Springs, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)
- IT Security & Network TechnicianGraduate America · Addison, TXCertificate · 640 clock hours — 5 months
- CybersecurityKeiser University · West Palm Beach, FLBachelor Degree · 42 Months
- Applied CybersecurityRadford M. Locklin Technical College · Milton, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours
- Applied CybersecurityRIVEROAK Technical College · Live Oak, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours
- Cyber SecuritySouthern Careers Institute · Austin, TXDiploma · 33 weeks
- Applied CybersecurityWithlacoochee Technical College · Inverness, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours
- Cyber Security and Information Technology SpecialistABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CAAssociate Degree · 15 months
- Cloud and Computer SecurityAsher College · Sacramento, CAAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Applied CybersecurityEmerald Coast Technical College · Inlet Beach, FLCertificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)
- CybersecurityKeiser University · Clearwater, FLBachelor Degree · 42 Months
- Cyber Security ProfessionalABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 50 weeks
- Cloud and Computer SecurityAsher College · Las Vegas, NVAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Information SecurityKeiser University · Pembroke Pines, FLMaster Degree · 20 Months
- Cyber Security ProfessionalABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 50 weeks
- Cloud and Computer Security SpecialistAsher College · Las Vegas, NVCertificate · 49 weeks
- Cloud and Computer Security SpecialistAsher College · Sacramento, CACertificate · 49 weeks
- Cloud and Computer Security SpecialistAsher College · Dallas, TXCertificate · 49 weeks
- Computer Operations and SecurityAsher College · Dallas, TXAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
Related Careers
This site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Certification, licence and career video information is sourced from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Wage, employment and outlook figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and the Employment Projections program. Figures describe the occupation, not any particular program or graduate.
Career cluster definitions are from Advance CTE.
Pay-by-experience bands are from Lightcast (as recent as July 2025).