Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for systems application specialists in the United States
Systems application specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected systems application specialist job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for systems application specialists are projected over the next decade.
Systems application specialist salaries have increased 9% for systems application specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 20,846 systems application specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 137,361 active systems application specialist job openings in the US.
The average systems application specialist salary is $74,370.
Are systems application specialist jobs in demand?
Systems application specialist job and salary trends over time
Systems application specialist jobs over time
Systems application specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,846 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 20,615 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 18,696 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 11,192 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,906 | 0.00% |
Average systems application specialist salary over time
Systems application specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,370 | $35.75 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $71,919 | $34.58 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $70,291 | $33.79 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $69,229 | $33.28 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $68,099 | $32.74 | +1.6% |
Systems application specialist jobs by state
Most common states for systems application specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 601 | 87% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 234 | 31% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,500 | 30% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 167 | 27% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 246 | 26% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 214 | 25% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 187 | 25% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 144 | 25% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,462 | 24% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 319 | 24% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,266 | 23% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 433 | 23% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,501 | 22% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 695 | 22% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 237 | 22% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 888 | 21% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,501 | 20% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 570 | 20% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 212 | 20% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 393 | 19% |
Most common cities for systems application specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Charles | 2 | 6% | $75,292 |
| 2 | Buffalo Grove | 2 | 5% | $75,437 |
| 3 | DeKalb | 2 | 5% | $75,111 |
| 4 | Plainfield | 2 | 5% | $75,267 |
| 5 | Downers Grove | 2 | 4% | $75,401 |
| 6 | Tinley Park | 2 | 4% | $75,464 |
| 7 | Naperville | 3 | 2% | $75,345 |
| 8 | Aurora | 2 | 1% | $75,281 |
| 9 | Joliet | 2 | 1% | $75,290 |
| 10 | Arlington Heights | 1 | 1% | $75,430 |
| 11 | Chattanooga | 1 | 1% | $71,974 |
| 12 | Salt Lake City | 1 | 1% | $61,739 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $66,890 |
Systems Application Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of systems application specialist experts
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Quinnipiac University
Brigham Young University - Idaho
Grand Valley State University
University of Washington
Bakersfield College
Portland State University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of New Hampshire
Indiana University Bloomington
Kennesaw State University
Pennsylvania State University - Great Valley
New York Institute of Technology
What general advice would you give to a Systems Application Specialist?
Jason Nichols PhD: The business environment is very dynamic right now, especially with regards to technology, and specifically with regards to AI. The advice remains the same through this however - stay curious, and always be learning. AI requires infrastructure, and lots of it. It also requires data. Lots of that as well. Businesses won’t be successful with AI unless they are able to efficiently and dynamically expand, configure, and adjust their infrastructure in support of its implementation. They also won’t be successful unless they have a solid plan for data storage, management and security. They need your help with this, and your training has prepared you to provide this type of support. This is an exciting time to be an Information Systems Professional. You are helping to shape the future of work, and the role of technology within the modern business enterprise. We are all counting on you, your company is counting on you, and you are up for this challenge and the emergent opportunities it brings.
What Systems Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jason Nichols PhD: Businesses need people to manage and secure their infrastructure, they need people that deeply and richly understand the mechanics of the systems that support them in their work, and they need people equipped to identify how to leverage these systems in transformative ways in order to create meaningful and sustainable value. All of this is underpinned by a rich understanding of the business, how it operates, and how its strategic objectives are intrinsically tied to the technology upon which it runs. Sharpen your skills in cloud computing and AI-relevant cloud services and platforms, in machine learning and AI, and in systems analysis and design. Explore design patterns relevant to the architecture of business technology systems and solutions. Become an expert at orchestrating technology and infrastructure to suit a given business need, objective, or strategy. These skills are timeless.
What will help Systems Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
What general advice would you give to a Systems Application Specialist?
Don Gelosh Ph.D.: Systems Engineering is a contact sport. As a systems engineer you are expected to be a leader.
Successful systems engineers are those who get out of their office and engage with other
engineers and technicians who work on complex systems. On any given day, systems engineers
could be working on a team, possibly leading that team, in one of the several phases of the
design and development effort. They may be working with stakeholders to determine their
requirements for the complex system or they may be working with validation test engineers to
determine if the complex system will satisfy the stakeholders needs.
While it would be expected that you are very knowledgeable in a few discipline areas, such as
electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering, you are not expected to be an expert in all
areas. However, you would be expected to know the experts in those fields and others and
how they should be involved in the overall development process. You would be expected to
understand the many processes of systems engineering and how each process contributes to
the success of the complex system.
You would also be expected to thoroughly understand any other systems and the operational
environment that will interface and interact with your system. As a systems engineer, you
would be expected to understand the big picture of the complex system.
Guido Lang Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Information SystemsQuinnipiac University
School of Business
What skills stand out on Systems Application Specialist resumes?
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Systems analysis and design
- Business/process/data modeling
- IT project management
- Change management
What soft skills should all Systems Application Specialists possess?
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
What hard/technical skills are most important for Systems Application Specialists?
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Python
- SQL
- Excel
What skills will help Systems Application Specialists earn the most?
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Cloud computing
- Scrum
- DevOps`
Michael McLaughlin
FacultyBrigham Young University - Idaho
Department of Computer Information Technology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Systems Application Specialists?
Michael McLaughlin: Solid understanding of the technology stack (from desktops to cloud), including at least one programming language at certification level and object-oriented design skills that include exclusivity, patterns, and data design both in relational and document databases.
What technical skills for a Systems Application Specialist stand out to employers?
Chirag Parikh Ph.D.: If you ask me, I consider valuable experience over good paycheck. Once you have gained that experience the paycheck will follow. As soon as you are out of college, the knowledge gained is very fresh and raring to go. If put into the right place can enhance your technical skills and you can do wonders.
As a Computer Engineering professor, I would say the job opportunities are tremendous for students out of college as they can venture into hardware field (technical support, hardware engineer, test engineer and much more) as well as software field (software engineer, software developer, software tester and much more). The possibilities are endless.
With COVID and employees working remotely there is still ample opportunity to enhance your technical and interpersonal skills as I believe remote working might stay for a while till things get back to normal.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Systems Application Specialists?
Les Atlas: Most certainly an impact, a very strong impact. The best lesson for us is from the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. That strain of flu still circulates as a seasonal virus. Over 100 years laters, it is now considered a Phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it is reduced due to current social distancing and mask wearing, the 1919 Spanish Flu virus still causes community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of the globe. Societal changes from this event of over 100 years ago are still with us.
In fact, they changed society. As is well-documented, after a high level of immunity was reached in the 1920's, the resulting labor shortage enabled workers to demand better living and working conditions, as well as better wages and public health care. As just one example of the societal changes due to the 1919 pandemic, the drop in the male labor force empowered male workers, and also changed the gender composition.
The aftermath of the 1919 pandemic was the start of women joining the labour force. In the United States, the proportion of women in the labour force rose from 18 per cent in 1900 to almost 21 per cent in 1920. In that same year, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, the Congress of the United States guaranteed all American women the right to vote.
The current COVID-19 pandemic will certainly change the way we live, be it our mobility or the kinds of career options people have. After our current year-long experience in remote learning and work, will we go back to the inefficiencies of going to our office every work day? Or will remote work be acceptable, where one's residence will not be dependent upon the locations of employment. Will we avoid future hotspots of infection, choosing to instead reside and travel in areas where infection is decreasing? Will we prefer to travel on aircraft which are certified to be virus-free and frequent restaurants which are documented to be safer? Future marketing will likely make a sharp turn in this direction.
What type of skills will young Systems Application Specialists need?
Les Atlas: With an expected increase in mobility, companies will have a larger pool of employees to search over and interview. Potentially orders of magnitude more. Searches for employees need not be regional. Thus, if a specific specialization is needed, the pool of applicants, which will likely come from a search over a large region, state-wide or larger, or even international.
Thus specializations will become more important, both in terms of depth and fit to the needs of an employer. Advanced graduate degrees will become more necessary. It seems very likely that filed which help understand data for epidemiology and disease forecasting and geographical hotspots will continue to be especially pertinent.
What general advice would you give to a Systems Application Specialist?
Maryam Farahani: Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.
Professor and Systems Science Program ChairPortland State University
Systems science program
What general advice would you give to a Systems Application Specialist?
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.: Develop a thoughtful combination of technical skills/expertise and qualitative resources/assets/prowess. Purely technical savvy can go a long way, but it is not enough. Employers are eager to hire well-rounded, easy to work with employees and leaders who can go deeper technically as required.
Dr. T.S. Kalkur
Department ChairUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What experience really stands out on Systems Application Specialist resumes?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Internship experience and tools used in design.
Marc Lessard
ProfessorUniversity of New Hampshire
Physics and Astronomy Department and Space Science Center
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Systems Application Specialists?
Marc Lessard: I think there might be a lag in some fields, but the need for good engineers in today's world will remain strong. Certainly, I would expect no long-term concerns. The world will always need new technology!
This is especially true for engineering-physics graduates, who are often trained to provide more of a "systems" perspective in their problem-solving strategies. Being able to see the "big picture", to understand what challenges need to be addressed and how to solve them, is a fundamentally important skill.
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems EngineeringIndiana University Bloomington
Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Systems Application Specialist?
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.: Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.
What experience really stands out on Systems Application Specialist resumes?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: It is the age of diversity. A graduate can stand out when their resume shows a broad portfolio of experiences. In addition to a solid academic record, students who demonstrate that they can take on challenging tasks and work beyond a degree's basic requirements are more likely to be successful. I advise students to get involved in various activities, including undergraduate research projects, student design competitions, student organizations, internships, co-ops, etc. All of these should be highlighted on the resume. When a recruiter sees an overview of a student that shows relevant work experience in the form of work-study, internships, or co-op or research, their resume automatically comes to the top of the pile.
How do you envision technology impacting Systems Application Specialists in the next 5 years?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: Technology will continue to become more prevalent in the workspace. For students to be successful, they will need to keep up with the rapidly changing technology, and I do not see the rate of this change slowing down anytime soon. More and more systems are becoming interdisciplinary. This is where systems engineering plays a key role. Systems engineers can bridge the gap between other engineers by establishing and communicating the requirements at the system level. They also play a crucial role in the verification and validation of complex systems. With the advent of technology in the coming years, this role will become even more paramount.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Systems Application Specialists?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: It would be unreasonable to believe that there will be no enduring impact of coronavirus. It has changed the way engineers work. Dependence on technology has increased multifold during the pandemic. When a cure is finally in place, this dependence on technology is unlikely to slow down. This translates to the ability to perform engineering tasks virtually. So graduates need to be well versed in technology to be able to stay engaged and productive. Graduates will also need to adapt to the changing environment where they can meet the needs of the customers that will be more and more dependent on technology and their ability to conduct business virtually.
What experience really stands out on Systems Application Specialist resumes?
Nil Ergin Ph.D.: Knowledge of analytical skills, methods, and tools for analysis, design, and management of complex systems and experience working with interdisciplinary teams are essential for systems engineering professionals. Experience in applying systems thinking and design thinking approaches to understanding organization, technical, and non-technical factors that influence the design and performance of complex systems stands out on resumes.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Systems Application Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.: -The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.