Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

(NOC 2171)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Information systems analysts and consultants study, design, and develop information systems as business solutions. They provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. Information systems analysts and consultants work for information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1400 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Demand for this occupation is expected to remain strong with continuing growth anticipated in the information technology (IT) field. A very large proportion of the employers are located in Halifax which has a diverse technology-based economy. The greatest demand will continue to be for employees with five or more years of experience, and with leading-edge skills particularly oriented towards business applications. The rapid evolution of the IT industry means that job prospects may depend heavily on specific skills. Remote hiring is common in the IT field, so jobseekers may benefit from including remote opportunities in their job search. New graduates of modern co-op programs should have less difficulty breaking into the labour market than those from traditional programs.

Hourly Pay

$21.63

Minimum

$38.46

Median

$56.41

Maximum

Annual Pay

$21,272

Minimum

$65,611

Median

$98,117

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Information systems analysts and consultants study, design, and develop information systems as business solutions. They provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. Information systems analysts and consultants work for information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Information systems business analysts and consultants:

  • Consult with clients to identify and document requirements.
  • Conduct business and technical studies.
  • Design, develop, integrate, test, and implement information systems business solutions.
  • Advise on information systems strategy, policy, management, security, and service delivery.

Systems security analysts:

  • Consult with clients to identify and document requirements, assess physical and technical security risks to data, software, and hardware.
  • Develop policies, procedures, and contingency plans to minimize the effects of security breaches.

Information systems quality assurance analysts:

  • Develop and implement policies and procedures throughout the software development life cycle to maximize the efficiency, effectiveness and overall quality of software products and information systems.

Systems auditors:

  • Conduct independent third-party reviews to assess quality assurance practices, software products and information systems.

Sample job titles

  • business systems analyst
  • computer consultant
  • computer systems analyst
  • data processing consultant
  • information systems professional
  • information technology (IT) analyst
  • information technology certified professional
  • management information systems (MIS) analyst
  • quality assurance (QA) analyst
  • systems security analyst

Skills

  • You should enjoy helping your clients develop solutions to meet their needs, and have good analytical and problem-solving skills. You must have good numerical ability and an understanding of mathematics, and be methodical and precise. Accuracy and good proofreading skills are required to detect, locate, and avoid errors in code. Oral and written communication skills are required in working with and advising clients. As these fields are constantly changing, you should always be prepared to update your knowledge and skills on a regular basis.

Job requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
  • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.

Other considerations

  • Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.

By the numbers

Quick look

3,175

employed in 2016

94.7%

employed full-time

7.2%

self employed

27.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

80.6%

Halifax

$67,327 median annual income
6.5%

North Shore

$54,645 median annual income
5.8%

Annapolis Valley

$63,264 median annual income
3.8%

Southern

$64,104 median annual income
3.3%

Cape Breton

$69,469 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

44.7%

Professional, scientific and technical services

15.1%

Public administration

7.8%

Wholesale trade

6.6%

Educational services

5.8%

Information and cultural industries

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

35-44

28.0%

45-54

27.0%

25-34

12.0%

55-64

3.0%

15-24

1.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

37.9%

Bachelor

$67,954 median annual income
29.4%

College Diploma

$63,366 median annual income
15.1%

Master

$62,247 median annual income
10.4%

High school

$65,263 median annual income
3.5%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$67,472 median annual income

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Computer and Information Sciences

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on computing, computer science, and information science and systems as part of a broad and/or interdisciplinary program. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Computer Science

College or University Program

These programs focus on computers, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. They include courses in the principles of computational science, and computing theory, computer hardware design, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Informatics

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on computer systems from a user-centred perspective and studies the structure, behaviour and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. They include courses in information sciences, human computer interaction, information system analysis and design, telecommunications structure and information architecture and management.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Information Technology

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. They include courses in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Information Technology Project Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to design, develop, and manage information technology projects in a variety of companies and organizations. They include courses in principles of project management, risk management, procurement and contract management, information security management, software management, organizational principles and behaviour, communications, quality assurance, financial analysis, leadership, and team effectiveness.

Institutions providing this program

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Knowledge Management

College or University Program

These programs focus on the study of knowledge management in government agencies and corporations for the purpose of supporting stated organizational goals and objectives, and prepares individuals to function as information resource managers. They include courses in information technology, principles of computer and information systems, management information systems, applicable policy and regulations, and operations and personnel management.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Management Information Systems

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to provide and manage data systems and related facilities for processing and retrieving internal business information, select systems and train personnel, and respond to external data requests. They include courses in cost and accounting information systems, management control systems, personnel information systems, data storage and security, business systems networking, report preparation, computer facilities and equipment operation and maintenance, operator supervision and training, and management information systems policy and planning.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Business College

Lower Sackville, NS

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Information Systems Professional

Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.

Regulating body:
Canadian Information Processing Society - Nova Scotia Chapter
Halifax, NS
Information Technology Certified Professional

Special Requirements: Standards exist for this job in Nova Scotia. Certification or membership in a professional body may be required by employers, but a certificate is not needed to do this work.

Regulating body:
Canadian Information Processing Society
Mississauga, ON

Contacts

Canadian Information Processing Society - Nova Scotia Chapter
Halifax, NS
Information and Communications Technology Council
Ottawa, ON
Digital Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS

Additional resources