Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions. The role reports a median annual salary of $108,970 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $54,360 and $162,440 and is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.54 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Programming, Systems Analysis.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £54,647 a year for Cyber security professionals (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £42,761 to £71,808 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2135). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Computer Applications (BCA) — BCA (three years, or four years for BCA Honours / with Research)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG, IPU CET
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
6 open listings on our jobs board → Recent listings whose job title matches this career. Some jobs in this career are advertised under other titles.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
A day in the life
You start the morning meeting a client team to understand what their new system must do, asking about the number of users, the data involved and how secure it must be. Back at your desk, you sketch an architecture that connects servers, storage, networks and applications, and compare several hardware and software components to see which suit the purpose and budget. By mid-morning you are writing recommendations explaining why you chose each part and what the trade-offs are. After lunch you check on an installation already under way, guiding the technical team as they set up operating systems and network equipment according to your design. You then review monitoring data from a system you built earlier, spotting a storage bottleneck before it becomes a real problem. Later you prepare secure implementation guidelines for the installation team. Documenting every decision in detail can be tedious, but seeing a complex system you designed run smoothly under real use is deeply satisfying.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Computer Systems Engineers/Architects do?
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
What does a typical day look like in Computer Systems Engineers/Architects?
You start the morning meeting a client team to understand what their new system must do, asking about the number of users, the data involved and how secure it must be. Back at your desk, you sketch an architecture that connects servers, storage, networks and applications, and compare several hardware and software components to see which suit the purpose and budget. By mid-morning you are writing recommendations explaining why you chose each part and what the trade-offs are.
How much does Computer Systems Engineers/Architects earn?
The median annual salary for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in the US is $108,970. The middle 80% of workers earn between $54,360 and $162,440 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $74,960 and $130,090.
What is the job outlook for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects?
The role is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 472,000 workers.
How do I become computer systems engineers/architects?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Computer Systems Engineers/Architects need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Programming, Systems Analysis, Reading Comprehension. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Computer Systems Engineers/Architects?
Our AI-durability model gives Computer Systems Engineers/Architects a score of 0.54 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.