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How to hire a computer system specialist

Computer system specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring computer system specialists in the United States:

  • There are currently 213,929 computer system specialists in the US, as well as 89,673 job openings.
  • Computer system specialists are in the highest demand in Tallahassee, FL, with 12 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a computer system specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new computer system specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a computer system specialist, step by step

To hire a computer system specialist, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a computer system specialist, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step computer system specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a computer system specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new computer system specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a computer system specialist do?

Computer system specialists are responsible for providing technical guidance in developing and troubleshooting a company's computer systems. They adjust the software to provide the database needs of every department in the company. These specialists manage the intranet and internet websites the network users can access and test for system issues to resolve. They serve as lead workers that provide supervision and training over clerical and technical staff on how the system functions. Their duties also include gathering feedback from users to update the system to provide for their needs.

Learn more about the specifics of what a computer system specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your computer system specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a computer system specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a computer system specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a computer system specialist that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of computer system specialists.

    Type of Computer System SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Computer System SpecialistComputer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization... Show more$24-49
    Computer EngineerA computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology... Show more$33-63
    Computer AnalystA computer analyst is responsible for generating technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and processes. Computer analysts create models for system applications and perform upgrades on software and hardware networks to boost optimization... Show more$27-47
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Computer System
    • Troubleshoot
    • CSV
    • System Validation
    • Database
    • Technical Support
    • FDA
    • Windows Server
    • OQ
    • Linux
    • Unix
    • Switches
    • Test Scripts
    • Desktop Support
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Implement administrator manage OS patch installation to entire domain.
    • Lead effort to develop and maintain client's database by customizing existing computer information systems to support operating objectives.
    • Design and implement TCP/IP networks to support multiple workstations and servers.
    • Perform UNIX administration duties as required and troubleshoot server relate issues; securing and patching servers in compliance with DoD guidelines.
    • Install updates and OS patches.
    • Web design using HTML coding.
    More computer system specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your computer system specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A computer system specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a computer system specialist in Kentucky may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level computer system specialist usually earns less than a senior-level computer system specialist. Additionally, a computer system specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average computer system specialist salary

    $71,716yearly

    $34.48 hourly rate

    Entry-level computer system specialist salary
    $50,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 21, 2026

    Average computer system specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$88,729$43
    2Massachusetts$86,731$42
    3Pennsylvania$83,038$40
    4New Jersey$81,603$39
    5Maryland$75,493$36
    6New York$74,817$36
    7Virginia$70,557$34
    8Illinois$69,070$33
    9Arizona$63,953$31
    10Texas$58,852$28
    11Georgia$58,549$28
    12Kentucky$55,305$27
    13Missouri$55,113$27
    14Florida$52,046$25

    Average computer system specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Los Alamos National Laboratory$103,754$49.8815
    2PRWeek$102,520$49.29
    3Natera$100,665$48.40
    4JUUL$97,119$46.69
    5Grass Valley (US), Inc.$88,212$42.41
    6Alpha Consulting$87,922$42.27
    7Spark Therapeutics$86,313$41.50
    8ProSync$81,235$39.06
    9Tci Technology Consulting Inc$76,765$36.91
    10Barchart$73,676$35.42
    11Charles River Labs$67,990$32.69
    12Catalent Pharma Solutions$67,192$32.303
    13Jackson Healthcare$66,174$31.812
    14Dartmouth-Hitchcock$64,949$31.232
    15Fresenius Kabi$64,383$30.95
    16Sbli Of Massachusetts$64,083$30.81
    17Children's Hospital of Philadelphia$63,893$30.721
    18Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings$63,390$30.485
    19Strides Pharma$62,873$30.23
    20Summit Biosciences$62,869$30.23
  4. Writing a computer system specialist job description

    A computer system specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a computer system specialist job description:

    Computer system specialist job description example

    JP1427 - Computing Systems Professional 3


    Summary:
    Provides advanced technical support services; designs, specifies, and develops solutions for complex heterogeneous computing infrastructure. Performs research and development to identify and implement applicable emerging technologies in the Laboratory computing environment. Utilizes formal project management methodologies; gathers customer requirements; performs risk management functions; performs capacity and availability planning for computing infrastructure; performs effective communication both, verbal and written, at all levels.

    Has wide-ranging experience, uses professional concepts and Laboratory objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Frequently contributes to the development of new theories and methods. Considered expert in field within the organization. Develops resolutions to complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity and where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Work is accomplished without considerable direction. May coordinate activities of other personnel. Exerts significant latitude in determining objectives of assignment, and determines the methods and procedures needed for new assignments.

    Education:
    Position typically requires a bachelors degree and a minimum of eight years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At this level, applicable advanced vendor and/or professional certification is desirable.

    Additional Job Requirements:

    Position Description: SQL Script Writer, fluent in scripting to the Oracle Primavera P6 schema.

    The key skill for this role is in SQL Script writing and editing, typically performed by a computer science professional trained for this role, who is facile with SQL scripting means and methods, and is diligent when it comes to remarking script they create, such that others can readily understand the intent, technique and steps that were used to achieve the working result. The SQL script writer shall be a part of the PMRC-IT Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Project Management Resource Center that administers a large P6 user community, and will use their skills to assist in the configuration and operation of Oracle’s Project Integration Interface (PIF), being deployed to manage global- and project-level P6 data. This SQL script writer should be fluent in writing in SQL+ and suitable IDEs such as TOAD and experienced in querying Oracle databases loaded with Oracle’s Primavera P6 schema. To be clear, this role description is not the equivalent of a P6 Principal Application Administrator (P6 PA)—it is a distinctly different skillset.

    Skills, Experience, Qualifications:
    • an overlap of skills and qualifications, to include the skills required for a P6 PA, which can be beneficial in performing in the SQL script writer’s role
    • knowledge of P6’s business rules, both as expressed in P6’s UI and controlled in the P6 schema in the Oracle database by stored procedures and the relational structure
    • knowledge of P6 configuration at the application level (Global Data Structures et al) to support project operations in the context of DOE business operations
    • familiarity with programming P6 Web services and P6’s Java API (the latter of which is pending deprecation)

    Work Location: Must live within 2 hour commuting distance to Los Alamos National Laboratory or be willing to relocate.


    COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or protected Veteran status.

    COMPA's policy could disqualify an applicant who has certain criminal history from employment in particular positions .

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find computer system specialists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    To find computer system specialist candidates, you can consider the following options:
    • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
    • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
    • Post your job on free job posting websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting computer system specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a computer system specialist applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

    • TestDome
    • CodeSignal
    • Testlify
    • BarRaiser
    • Coderbyte

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new computer system specialist

    Once you've selected the best computer system specialist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new computer system specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a computer system specialist?

Before you start to hire computer system specialists, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire computer system specialists pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Computer system specialists earn a median yearly salary is $71,716 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find computer system specialists for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $24 and $49.

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