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How to hire an information systems specialist

Information systems specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring information systems specialists in the United States:

  • There are a total of 77,566 information systems specialists in the US, and there are currently 164,042 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire an information systems specialist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per information systems specialist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Washington, DC, has the highest demand for information systems specialists, with 10 job openings.

How to hire an information systems specialist, step by step

To hire an information systems specialist, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an information systems specialist:

Here's a step-by-step information systems specialist hiring guide:

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

What does an information systems specialist do?

An Information Systems Specialist is responsible for supporting and developing the database system of an organization. They are responsible for designing and implementing information systems, developing prototypes, and maintaining hardware and software operations. They build information security to protect the computer system against a threat. Information System Specialists must have good communication and analytical skills to adapt to different organizational needs.

Learn more about the specifics of what an information systems specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an information systems specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or 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 an information systems 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 an information systems specialist that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of information systems specialists.

    Type of Information Systems SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Information Systems 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$24-50
    Systems SupportA systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables... Show more$21-42
    Information Technology AnalystAn information technology analyst is responsible for identifying business opportunities by creating and designing technology systems that would help business operations perform efficiently and accurately. Information technology analysts manage systems maintenance, upgrade and install updates for better optimization, and perform feature revisions and adjustments based on the end-user experience... Show more$29-53
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Data Analysis
    • Data Entry
    • Strong Analytical
    • Troubleshoot
    • Technical Support
    • Software Issues
    • Customer Support
    • Computer System
    • PC
    • DOD
    • Technical Issues
    • GIS
    • HR
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Implement internal SOX controls and achieve compliance for internal and external audits.
    • Manage user security access to SharePoint and Intranet.
    • Implement and manage all organizational security measures, cryptographic equipment and DoD communications security (COMSEC) keying material.
    • Gain knowledge of Linux and Macintosh server and desktop systems.
    • Configure and maintain all routers, switches and firewalls using TCP/IP.
    • Configure client PCs and laptops for network connectivity (Ethernet and TCP/IP).
    More information systems specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your information systems specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An information systems specialist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, information systems specialists' average salary in georgia is 36% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level information systems specialists earn 51% less than senior-level information systems specialists.
    • Certifications. An information systems specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an information systems specialist's salary.

    Average information systems specialist salary

    $73,495yearly

    $35.33 hourly rate

    Entry-level information systems specialist salary
    $51,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average information systems specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1District of Columbia$88,414$43
    2California$84,501$41
    3New Jersey$79,995$38
    4Pennsylvania$78,982$38
    5New York$78,855$38
    6Indiana$78,051$38
    7Virginia$77,232$37
    8Oregon$77,056$37
    9Utah$75,233$36
    10Maryland$75,179$36
    11Texas$74,084$36
    12Massachusetts$73,071$35
    13Ohio$70,991$34
    14Illinois$70,520$34
    15Nebraska$65,276$31
    16Florida$65,092$31
    17West Virginia$63,089$30
    18Arizona$62,952$30
    19Minnesota$61,438$30
    20Colorado$58,432$28

    Average information systems specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Google$131,037$63.00609
    2Parsons$113,304$54.4783
    3Twitter$110,590$53.172
    4Valero Energy$105,166$50.566
    5Booz Allen Hamilton$105,118$50.54183
    6TheBrain Technologies$104,461$50.22
    7Caterpillar$102,619$49.3464
    8Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.$90,943$43.727
    9City of Los Angeles$90,083$43.311
    10Sandy Spring Bank$88,837$42.71
    11The Aerospace Corporation$88,645$42.6229
    12Industrial Economics$85,997$41.34
    13Stanford University$84,515$40.6313
    14Arcadis$81,995$39.4214
    15Vizio$81,910$39.38
    16Tech Mahindra$81,804$39.331
    17Monadnock Community Hospital$80,933$38.911
    18City of Philadelphia$80,547$38.7230
    19Saratoga Hospital$79,502$38.225
    20SAIC$79,212$38.08201
  4. Writing an information systems specialist job description

    An information systems 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 an information systems specialist job description:

    Information systems specialist job description example

    Responsibilities

    Peraton is seeking qualified individuals to join our team to provide engineering support for Cyber Situational Awareness (SA), Cyber Command and Control (C2), Mission Assurance, and Homeland Defense. This includes conducting Agile software engineering in a Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps) environment, performing Cloud architectural design, operation, and administration functions, and cyber security and Risk Management Framework (RMF) support. Also included are rapid design, development, test, deployment, maintenance and operation of specific software and hardware capabilities to meet current Cyber Defensive needs.

    Provides technical and programmatic Information Assurance Services to internal and external customers in support of network and information security systems. Designs, develops and implements security requirements within an organization's business processes. Prepares documentation from information obtained from customer using accepted guidelines such as RMF (Risk Management Framework). Prepares test plans. Provides assessment and authorization (A&A) support in the development of security and contingency plans and conducts complex risk and vulnerability assessments. Analyzes policies and procedures against Federal laws and regulations and provides recommendations for closing gaps. Develops and completes system security plans and contingency plans. Recommends system enhancements to improve security deficiencies. Develops, tests and integrates computer and network security tools. Secures system configurations and installs security tools, scans systems in order to determine compliancy and report results and evaluates products and various aspects of system administration. Conducts security program audits and develops solutions to lessen identified risks. Develops strategies to comply with privacy, risk management, and e-authentication requirements. Provides information assurance support for the development and implementation of security architectures to meet new and evolving security requirements. Evaluates, develops and enhances security requirements, policy and tools. Provides assistance in computer incident investigations. Performs vulnerability assessments including development of risk mitigation strategies.

    Qualifications
    • Requires 2 to 5 years with BS/BA or 0 to 2 years with MS/MA/MBA or 8 to 10 years with no degree
    • IAT Level II Certification
    • Minimum certification as 461 (or similar as required by the Technical Instruction) at the Intermediate level per DoDD 8140.01, or successor
    • Secret clearance
    • Minimum of two (2) years' experience in performing Risk Management Framework activities
    • Demonstrated experience with performing STIG assessments to include using SCAP benchmarks
    • Demonstrated experience performing vulnerability assessments with the Assured Compliance Assessment Solution tool
    • Demonstrated experience using eMASS
    • Experience in developing Plans of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) entries.
    • Experience in completing Risk Management Framework Step 5 authorizations in the Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) capacity.
    • Experience in communicating risk reduction recommendations to
      stakeholders
    Peraton Overview

    Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can't be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

    An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Veteran.

  5. Post your job

    To find information systems specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any information systems specialists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level information systems specialists with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your information systems specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit information systems specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting information systems 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.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    If your interviews with information systems specialist applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you 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 information systems specialist

    Once you have selected a candidate for the information systems specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new information systems specialist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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 an information systems specialist?

Hiring an information systems specialist comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting information systems specialists involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of information systems specialist recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Information systems specialists earn a median yearly salary is $73,495 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find information systems specialists for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $24 and $50.

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