How to hire a junior systems analyst

How to hire a junior systems analyst, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior systems analyst hiring guide:

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

What does a junior systems analyst do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a junior systems analyst, 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a junior systems analyst 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 junior systems analyst that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of junior systems analysts and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Junior Systems Analyst	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Systems Analyst	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	$25-42
   Analyst	Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes... Show more	$25-47
   Systems Support	A 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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Object Oriented Programming
   • Business Process
   • Desk Support
   • Computer System
   • Functional Specifications
   • Java
   • Access Database
   • Software Issues
   • Technical Documentation
   • User Acceptance
   • DOD
   • SQL Server
   • QA
   • Debugging

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and implement VMware infrastructure.
   • Design and develop user interface using HTML, JSP, CSS and JavaScript.
   • Update and improve CGI programs using Rex & Java.
   • Implement QA testing and report/data validation with basic SQL queries.
   • Plan a testing schedule with the end user and QA for completing system operations.
   • Programme random passcodes for student dormitories using Java programming language.

   More junior systems analyst duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the junior systems analyst job description is a good way to get more applicants. A junior systems analyst salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a junior systems analyst in Idaho may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level junior systems analyst. Additionally, a junior systems analyst with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average junior systems analyst salary

   $69,271yearly

   $33.30 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior systems analyst salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average junior systems analyst salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$86,724	$42
   2	Washington	$86,055	$41
   3	Oregon	$82,798	$40
   4	Georgia	$78,810	$38
   5	New York	$75,770	$36
   6	New Jersey	$75,294	$36
   7	Massachusetts	$72,120	$35
   8	Maryland	$70,511	$34
   9	Illinois	$70,338	$34
   10	Virginia	$69,238	$33
   11	Indiana	$68,919	$33
   12	Minnesota	$67,592	$33
   13	Alabama	$66,574	$32
   14	Texas	$65,594	$32
   15	Colorado	$64,310	$31
   16	Wisconsin	$64,197	$31
   17	North Carolina	$60,301	$29
   18	Ohio	$60,154	$29

   Average junior systems analyst salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Renaissance Learning	$85,650	$41.18
   2	ZL Tech	$83,523	$40.16
   3	BASF	$76,375	$36.72
   4	Arvato	$76,201	$36.64
   5	Jacobs Engineering Group	$75,311	$36.21
   6	Serco	$71,168	$34.22
   7	Science	$71,168	$34.22	1
   8	ICI Services	$70,471	$33.88	6
   9	KBR	$70,290	$33.79	141
   10	Advent Software	$70,013	$33.66
   11	Blue Origin	$69,618	$33.47	140
   12	TCC	$69,386	$33.36	1
   13	HCL Technologies	$69,346	$33.34	5
   14	CH Energy Group	$68,913	$33.13	1
   15	Bahwan CyberTek	$68,158	$32.77	1
   16	Populus Group	$67,926	$32.66
   17	Serco	$67,884	$32.64	127
   18	SS&C Technologies	$67,848	$32.62	3
   19	IPT Associates	$67,744	$32.57	7
   20	EngagePoint	$66,843	$32.14

4. Writing a junior systems analyst job description

   A junior systems analyst 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 junior systems analyst job description:

   Junior systems analyst job description example

   LMI is seeking an junior systems analyst at our client site at Scott AFB. The goal of this project will be to assist the U.S. Transportation Command and its components (Air Mobility Command (AMC) and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)) in its enterprise, business and solution architecture goals. Under the guidance of the assigned government lead, this role will accomplish day-to-day task management from key stakeholders.
   
   LMI is a consultancy dedicated to improving the business of government, drawing from deep expertise in advanced analytics, digital services, logistics, and management advisory services. Established as a private, not-for-profit organization in 1961, LMI is a trusted third party to federal civilian and defense agencies, free of commercial and political bias. We operate completely free of political and commercial bias, and we are entirely aligned with the goals of our clients. Our clients value our specialized services in logistics, intelligence, homeland security, health care, and energy and environment markets. We believe government can make a difference, and we seek talented, hardworking people who share that conviction. We offer a generous compensation package with excellent benefits that start the first day of employment. Business casual dress, flex time, and tuition reimbursement are a few of our many work-life benefits available to our employees.
   Responsibilities
   
   Responsibilities may include:
   
   * Formulates/defines system scope and objectives.
   * Devises or modifies procedures to solve complex problems considering computer equipment capacity and limitations, operating time, and form of desired results.
   * Prepares detailed specifications for programs. Assists in the design, development, testing, implementation, and documentation of new software and enhancements of existing applications.
   * Works with project managers, developers, and end users to ensure application designs meet business requirements. (e) Formulates/defines specifications for complex operating software programming applications or modifies/maintains complex existing applications using engineering releases and utilities from the manufacturer.
   * Designs, codes, tests, debugs, and documents those programs.
   * Provides overall operating system, such as sophisticated file maintenance routines, large telecommunications networks, computer accounting, and advanced mathematical/scientific software packages.
   * Assists all phases of software systems programming applications.
   * Evaluates new and existing software products.
   
   Qualifications
   
   REQUIRED:
   
   * Bachelor's Degree in an IT discipline (preferred).
   * 2 years of experience in systems analysis, business or solution architecture, business analysis, business process reengineering and/or process improvement.
   * Excellent oral and written communication skills and must be detailed oriented.
   * Ability to effectively solve problems.
   * A true team player who maintains a positive attitude in a dynamic environment.
   * Must be able to effectively and professionally communicate to management, peers and customers as well as demonstrate sound judgment/reasoning skills.
   * Expertise with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Visio, Sharepoint, etc).
   * This position is on-site at Scott AFB.
   * Must possess an active Secret Clearance, for which you must be a US Citizen.
   
   PREFERRED:
   
   * Two (2) or more years of experience working with DoD clients.
   * Demonstrated experience in mapping applications and business capabilities to describe how systems and networks, interact within the organization.
   * Experience building architecture models/artifacts that provide mappings between users, systems, platforms and business functions.
   * Experience with BPMN 2.0 is a plus.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find junior systems analysts 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.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior systems analyst job on Zippia to find and recruit junior systems analyst candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit junior systems analysts, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview junior systems analyst candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 junior systems analyst

   Once you've decided on a perfect junior systems analyst candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new junior systems analyst. 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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