Computer Systems Engineers/Architects build systems evaluation, systems analysis and operations analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Computer Hardware Engineers (80%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 80% | $161,740 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 73% | $130,220Pay for the broader BLS group “Electronics Engineers, Except Computer” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 73% | $66,120 | — | None |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 72% | $175,140 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 72% | $76,870 | — | None |
| 6 | Logistics Engineers | 71% | $82,320Pay for the broader BLS group “Logisticians” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Validation Engineers | 70% | $102,440Pay for the broader BLS group “Industrial Engineers” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Electrical Engineers | 70% | $120,630 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 70% | $122,570Pay for the broader BLS group “Physical Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Bioinformatics Technicians | 68% | $81,490Pay for the broader BLS group “Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other” | Not compared | Bachelor's degree |
Compared with Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, median —. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as computer systems engineers/architects (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
80% skill match · $161,740
Equipment Selection · Repairing · Installation
73% skill match · $130,220 (broader BLS group)
Installation · Equipment Selection · Operation and Control
73% skill match · $66,120
Repairing · Technology Design · Management of Material Resources
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Computer Hardware Engineers (80% skill match, median $161,740), Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists (73% skill match, median $130,220) and Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians (73% skill match, median $66,120), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
None of the 25 closest matches pays more than computer systems engineers/architects at the national median (BLS May 2025). Higher-paying moves usually need more training.
7 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.