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Systems Designer Income
Industry earnings.
Workers in the computer systems design and related services industry generally
command higher earnings than the national average. All production or
nonsupervisory workers in the industry averaged $1,265 a week in 2006,
significantly higher than the average of $568 for all industries. This reflects
the concentration of professionals and specialists, who often are highly
compensated for their specialized skills or expertise. Given the pace at which
technology advances in this industry, earnings can be driven by demand for
specific skills or experience. Workers in segments of the industry that offer
only professional services have even higher average earnings because they employ
fewer low-skilled, lower paid workers. Earnings in selected occupations in
computer systems design and related services appear in table 3.
Table 3.
Median hourly earnings of the largest occupations in computer systems design
and related services, May 2006
|
Occupation |
Computer systems design
and related services |
All industries |
|
General and
operations managers |
$59.39 |
$40.97 |
|
Computer and
information systems managers |
52.47 |
48.84 |
|
Computer software
engineers, systems software |
40.70 |
41.04 |
|
Computer software
engineers, applications |
37.91 |
38.36 |
|
Computer systems
analysts |
34.46 |
33.54 |
|
Computer
programmers |
32.64 |
31.50 |
|
Network systems
and data communications analysts |
32.25 |
31.06 |
|
Network and
computer systems administrators |
32.06 |
29.87 |
|
Computer support
specialists |
20.44 |
19.94 |
|
Customer service
representatives |
14.41 |
13.62 |
As one might expect, education and
experience influence earnings as well. For example, in May 2006, hourly earnings
of computer software engineers, applications ranged from less than $2250 for the
lowest paid 10 percent to more than $58.59 for the highest paid 10 percent.
Managers usually earn more because they have been on the job longer and are more
experienced than their staffs, but their salaries, too, can vary by level and
experience. Accordingly, hourly earnings of computer and information systems
managers in May 2006, ranged from less than $31.36 for the lowest paid 10
percent to more than $70.00 for the highest paid 10 percent. Earnings also are
affected by other factors, such as the size, location, and type of
establishment, hours and responsibilities of the employee, and level of sales.
Benefits and union membership.
Workers generally receive standard benefits, including health insurance, paid
vacation and sick leave, and pension plans. Unionization is rare in the computer
systems design and related services industry. In 2006, only 1 percent of all
workers were union members or covered by union contracts, compared with 13
percent of workers throughout private industry.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
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