How to hire a systems analyst/developer

How to hire a systems analyst/developer, step by step

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

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

What does a systems analyst/developer do?

Post a systems analyst/developer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The systems analyst/developer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A systems analyst/developer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, systems analyst/developers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of systems analyst/developers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Systems Analyst/Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Systems Analyst/Developer	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.	$35-67
   Developer Analyst	A developer analyst is a professional who is responsible for building application requirements and develops database solutions that allow operational efficiency and user-friendly tools. Developer analysts are required to develop a detailed definition of business solutions that can include database design, data flow, and transaction processing requirements... Show more	$30-54
   Analyst Lead	The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials... Show more	$35-58

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • C++
   • Web Application
   • JavaScript
   • HTML
   • Data Warehouse
   • Windows
   • PL/SQL
   • Management System
   • Microsoft SQL Server
   • XML
   • Web Services
   • CSS
   • Unix

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create a completely automate and fully manage desktop management solution.
   • Develop an online record management system using HTML, CSS, ColdFusion, SQL and XML.
   • Work as application developer, develop tested and support the application in a UNIX client server environment using Java technology.
   • Work with AIX and LINUX utility tools.
   • Utilize CSS for a consistent presentation of web site.
   • Redesign the company website using PHP and used JavaScript for client validations.

   More systems analyst/developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your systems analyst/developer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A systems analyst/developer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, systems analyst/developers' average salary in hawaii is 49% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level systems analyst/developers 47% less than senior-level systems analyst/developers.
   • Certifications. A systems analyst/developer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a systems analyst/developer's salary.

   Average systems analyst/developer salary

   $102,079yearly

   $49.08 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level systems analyst/developer salary

   $74,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average systems analyst/developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$135,476	$65
   2	Arizona	$113,291	$54
   3	District of Columbia	$110,865	$53
   4	Washington	$108,940	$52
   5	New York	$107,586	$52
   6	Massachusetts	$104,827	$50
   7	New Jersey	$102,105	$49
   8	Illinois	$98,837	$48
   9	Virginia	$98,741	$47
   10	Maryland	$95,656	$46
   11	Indiana	$90,734	$44
   12	Pennsylvania	$90,625	$44
   13	Georgia	$90,233	$43
   14	Oklahoma	$89,767	$43
   15	Michigan	$88,647	$43
   16	Missouri	$86,841	$42
   17	Colorado	$86,751	$42
   18	Texas	$84,415	$41
   19	Florida	$77,611	$37

   Average systems analyst/developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	First Republic Bank	$137,979	$66.34
   2	MUFG EMEA	$125,520	$60.35
   3	Barclays	$125,077	$60.13	3
   4	Santander Private Banking International	$121,979	$58.64	1
   5	Starbucks	$121,638	$58.48	10
   6	Santander Bank	$118,753	$57.09
   7	NRG Energy	$118,031	$56.75	8
   8	Alkermes	$117,346	$56.42	2
   9	Jefferies	$115,652	$55.60	7
   10	Avnet	$115,581	$55.57	6
   11	Pacifi	$115,172	$55.37	4
   12	The NPD Group	$114,773	$55.18
   13	Tech Data	$110,782	$53.26
   14	Vertex Pharmaceuticals	$108,519	$52.17	8
   15	Syniverse	$107,996	$51.92
   16	3D Systems	$106,680	$51.29
   17	Gilead Sciences	$106,481	$51.19	11
   18	Medline	$106,202	$51.06	25
   19	Icma-rc	$105,754	$50.84
   20	Genuine Parts	$105,126	$50.54

4. Writing a systems analyst/developer job description

   A systems analyst/developer 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. Below, you can find an example of a systems analyst/developer job description:

   Systems analyst/developer job description example

   The Retail Systems Development Analyst is responsible for assisting the Lead, Retail Systems Development in customization of existing and new application systems to meet unique requirements of the business and end user. The analyst will identify testing processes for new software in a lab environment and has the ability to meet projected timelines, which is extremely important. A high degree of personal responsibility and communication is essential.
   Job Description
   Description
   
   Conduct testing and documentation for current and new retail software.Assist as a backup to Research Development Lead (i.e. finalizing existing projects and documentation) Test transactions within software, identify gaps and make software updates to EFT terminals Create/Edit instructional and informational documentation to assist in the function and use of software/hardware for both internal and external clients (including deployment of new technology/features and changes to existing system/steps) Train store employees on software/hardware use and function as needed Communicate with 3rd party vendors with any development/production issues and seek resolution Travel Required:Yes
   
   Environment
   
   Office : Office Temperature (65F to 75F)
   
   Skills
   
   Specialized Knowledge : Retail software development skills Special Skills : Documentation skills;Physical abilities: :Other: : Attention to detail; Excellent communication skills;
   
   Years Of Experience
   
   Qualifications
   
   Shift
   
   Company
   Piggly Wiggly Midwest LLC
   
   About Our Company
   C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. , based in Keene, NH, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 6,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions with over 150,000 different products. At C&S, We Select the Best - those with the motivation, pride, and drive to succeed in our fast-paced world.Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. C&S Wholesale Grocers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find systems analyst/developers 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 systems analyst/developers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level systems analyst/developers 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 systems analyst/developer job on Zippia to find and recruit systems analyst/developer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting systems analyst/developers 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.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a systems analyst/developer 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 systems analyst/developer

   Once you've selected the best systems analyst/developer 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.

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

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a systems analyst/developer?