Computer information technology careers and salary
Computer information technology professionals keep our modern world running. The IT field represents a thriving area of study with no shortage of specializations for today’s learners and jobseekers. From cybersecurity specialists to data scientists, IT professionals solve business problems, automate processes, and help make everyone’s lives a little easier.
12.1 million
People work in computer
and information technology*
$88,240
Average salary for computer
and information technology professionals**
*CompTIA
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Without IT professionals, the business world would not be able to function. As a result, IT positions offer several benefits to today’s jobseekers, some of which include:
PERSONAL SATISFACTION
IT professions appeal to creative-minded individuals who enjoy solving puzzles and finding efficient solutions. Many people in the IT field find their jobs to be fulfilling because they get to help businesses and individuals overcome unique challenges. According to a 2019 CNBC/SurveyMonkey report, 90% of technology workers said they were very or somewhat satisfied with their job.
You can perform many IT job functions from home, giving you increased flexibility and a better work-life balance. Plus, there are always opportunities to put your creative thinking skills to work and make decisions that have a direct impact on organizational performance.
DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The IT systems that form the backbone of modern businesses are vast and complex. As a result, there are a number of job opportunities that support a variety of interests and work styles.
Here are just a few examples:
- Cloud computing engineer
- Computer networking specialist
- Database administrator
- Technology analyst
- Information security specialist
- Application developer
- Web developer
- Hardware technician
- Director of technology
JOB SECURITY
IT specialists support a great number of jobs across all industries. Without IT workers ensuring the functioning of their organization’s technical infrastructure, other professionals wouldn’t be able to do their jobs. As more industries become digitized and increase their investments in new technologies, hiring managers will turn to those with specialized IT skills.
RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT
Due to the high demand for IT professionals as well as the diversity of roles available, investing in an IT education can lead to many career opportunities. Even in times of economic uncertainty, businesses across industries will require IT workers to keep their systems running and their customers happy.
Pursuing a career in IT can help you earn a higher-than-average salary. Professionals with graduate degrees can earn much higher salaries than the national average for all professions.
We've collected some examples of some common job titles and their median salaries based on data from PayScale.
Entry-level information systems jobs
Typical requirements: associate or bachelor’s degree
IT support analyst
When a piece of technology isn’t working properly, IT support analysts are the go-to professionals for quick solutions. This role is also responsible for planning ahead for issues that may arise in the future, such as making sure software is up to date.
Median salary
$55,301
Systems administrator
Businesses of all sizes need reliable networks to send, receive, and store data. Systems administrators keep these networks running smoothly by analyzing needs and developing strategies for keeping hardware and software operational.
Median salary
$62,511
Computer network technician
Generally, network technicians focus on working with hardware deployments, such as workstations, servers, and network devices. They understand how to diagnose and solve network hardware issues. Technicians may need to communicate with vendors to resolve software-related problems.
Median salary
$58,140
Junior software developer
As part of a larger team, junior developers spend their time learning the company’s codebase, implementing changes, resolving bugs, and writing reports. They work closely with senior developers to design and develop new software solutions and respond to requests from business leaders.
Median salary
$69,938
Advanced information systems jobs
Typical requirements: bachelor’s degree or higher
Data scientist
Business data holds a tremendous amount of value. Data scientists gather information from various sources, such as user behavioral analytics, and process the data with machine learning algorithms. They can use these insights to make predictions about trends, optimize processes, and help other business units deliver better results.
Median salary
$86,829
Cloud engineer
With the growing popularity of software as a service (SaaS), cloud engineers are needed to design, build, and maintain cloud-based applications. Using cloud development platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, cloud engineers solve business challenges and identify opportunities for improving products and services.
Median salary
$91,409
DevOps engineer
Many businesses with digitized tools still face barriers to operational efficiency. DevOps engineers analyze systems to look for optimization opportunities. They may develop and test new tools that better integrate information across lines of business to take advantage of data-driven insights.
Median salary
$95,075
Software architect
Across industries, businesses depend on software architects to design, build, and maintain applications that solve business problems. Software architects perform high-level thinking to make design choices, assess existing solutions, and define project parameters.
Median salary
$124,613
Information security engineer
Cybercriminals target businesses large and small, looking to steal private information or hold systems for ransom. Information security engineers help to protect companies from these threats by planning and implementing security measures. Usually, information security engineers work alongside IT technicians and analysts to develop cohesive solutions.
Median salary
$94,956
