Computer System Design Services NAICS 541512
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Industry Summary
The 49,252 Computer system design services providers in the US integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies. Types of services include computer systems design, development, and integration; customer application design and development; and IT technical consulting and support. Firms may also provide services related to network development and design, cybersecurity, and communications.
Dependence on Skilled Labor
The computer system design services industry relies on a highly skilled, highly paid workforce, which includes computer and software engineers, programmers, systems integrators, and management with experience in information technology.
Rapid Advances in Technology
The computer and information systems management industry is characterized by rapid advances in technology that create volatility and uncertainty.
Recent Developments
Sep 3, 2025 - Possible Federal Government Shutdown Has Contractors Concerned
- Government contractors, including some computer system design services, are looking for guidance with a possible government shutdown looming, according to the Federal News Network. Government funding is set to expire on September 30, and lawmakers are divided over how to keep the government afloat, even on a short-term basis. September usually brings a rush of year-end contract obligations, but not this year. Contractors are seeing delays, waiting on payments, and watching Capitol Hill for signs of a continuing resolution or a shutdown.
- President Trump issued a cybersecurity Executive Order, “Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity”, that clears some of the regulatory overhang from Biden Administration cybersecurity policies by streamlining updates on security of software, federal communications, post-quantum cryptography (PQC), and artificial intelligence (AI) for federal agencies, according to the Wiley law firm. The order identifies China as the biggest threat to U.S. cybersecurity and outlines measures where the government will enhance secure technology practices. The order also frames AI advances as being driven by private sector innovation, provides for greater agency adoption of AI, and incorporates AI vulnerabilities into interagency coordination on vulnerability management.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) is struggling with capacity constraints in its data centers, restricting the cloud division's growth as AI demand surges, CEO Andy Jassy said. Rival Microsoft has also said that its cloud sales growth was hurt because it didn’t have enough data centers to handle demand for its AI products. AWS CEO Jassy said that limited AI chip supply and power capacity are affecting the ability of Amazon Web Services to bring new data centers online.
- Computer system design service industry employment decreased slightly and average wages for nonsupervisory employees increased slightly during the first six months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Revenue for computer system design services increased 5.1% year over year and 2.3% quarter over quarter in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. Computer system design service industry sales are forecast to grow at a 2.12% compounded annual rate from 2025 to 2029, slower than the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc.
Industry Revenue
Computer System Design Services
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average computer system design service provider operates out of a single location, employs 23 workers, and generates about $5.7 million annually.
- The computer system design services industry consists of about 49,252 companies that employ over 1.1 million workers and generate over $278 billion annually.
- The industry is concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for 50% of industry revenue.
- Large firms, which include IBM, GDIT, and Unisys, typically have global operations.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Computer System Design Services Industry Growth
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