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Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Typical education: Associate degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $116,580 Median per year · $56.05/hr Most earn $55,940–$188,470

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems.
  • Develop efficient and effective system controllers.
  • Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
  • Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
  • Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  • Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 27,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service19.6%
  • Computer systems design and related services16.0%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)4.9%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This is usually not a first job. Most people spend a few years in related IT work after an associate degree or certificate, then move into systems engineering or architecture. Expect roughly 4 to 6 years from starting school to this role.

  1. Associate degree in computer science, IT, or networking

    2 years

    You learn the basics of computers, operating systems, networks, and programming, which is the foundation every later step builds on.

  2. Network and Computer Systems Administrator

    2-4 years

    You keep company networks, servers, and systems running, which teaches you how real systems break and how to fix and integrate them.

  3. Computer Systems Engineer/Architect

    2-4 years of prior experience

    You design and build larger systems, solve complex technical problems, and connect different systems together.

Where it can lead

  1. Computer Network Architect

    4-6 years of experience first

    You shift from running and building systems to planning the overall design of an organization's networks, usually after a bachelor's degree.

  2. Information Security Engineer

    4-6 years of experience first

    You focus on protecting systems and data from threats, designing security controls across the systems you already know well.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take computer science or programming classesLearning how code and computers work gives you a head start on every later step in this path.
  • Join a robotics, coding, or tech clubWorking on team projects builds problem-solving skills and gives you things to show later.
  • Volunteer to help with school or library techSetting up computers or fixing printers and networks gives you real troubleshooting experience.
  • Get a part-time job in a tech or electronics storeHelping customers with devices builds communication skills and practical technical knowledge.
  • Explore an entry-level IT certification topic on your ownStudying basic networking or PC repair on your own shows initiative and builds a foundation for IT work.

In college

  • Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or networkingThis is the core education the career typically expects, and it teaches systems, networks, and programming.
  • Work on a campus IT help deskSupporting students and staff with real technical problems builds hands-on troubleshooting and customer skills.
  • Seek an internship at a local company's IT or systems departmentAn internship gives you real experience with business systems and a reference for your first full-time job.
  • Study for an entry-level IT certificationA recognized certification shows employers you know the basics of networks and systems before you have much work history.
  • Join a student tech or cybersecurity clubClub projects and competitions let you practice designing and securing systems alongside other students.

Tips for getting started

  • Get hands-on experience early. Real systems work, even part-time, counts for more in this field than classes alone.
  • Consider a bachelor's degree later if you want the architect or security roles, since those postings often ask for one.
  • Build a small home lab or practice project so you can show what you have built and fixed when you apply for jobs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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