As computers hardware and software has rapidly evolved over the last several decades, businesses the world over have been quick to take advantage of the vast improvements in efficiency they can realize by going electronic. This means that the growth for IT careers has been exponential.
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Paths for IT Careers
For those who are interested in IT careers, there a variety of options, from hands-on engineering to systems management.
On the hardware side of the IT world, computer hardware engineers are the people at the core of the computing world; researching, designing, and testing the creation and refinement of the entire range of computer products. From microchips to circuit boards to physical memory, computer hardware engineers help create the devices we use everyday.
On the software side, software engineers design and develop computer programs. They can work for development houses, writing software for sale and distribution for the general public, or within a company writing proprietary software for use by company employees.
Computer support specialists and technical support personnel provide assistance and advice to computer users having technical issues with their machines. As with software engineers, support specialists can work for a large development house, providing support to customers who’ve purchased their software, or they may provide support internally within a company, helping other employees deal with their computer issues.
Straddling the hardware and software divide, systems administrators and IT managers coordinate and oversee all of the IT within a company. From making sure all the hardware is up to spec to ensuring that all software is up-to-date, systems administrators and managers can have their hands in all sorts of activities. Often, this position will entail supervision of several specialists.
Network administrators and network security specialists keep companies’ internal and external networks humming along at full speed. From installing and maintaining routers, hubs, and wireless adapters, to installing and configuring networking software, network professionals make sure all of a companies’ employees stay in constant contact with each other.
Salaries for IT Careers
Computer hardware engineers earn a median salary of around $97,000, and most can expect to earn between $76,000-122,000. Electronics installers and repairers can expect to earn a median hourly wage of around $23 (annual wage of around $46,000 for full-time workers), with most earning between $18 and 28 per hour ($36,000-56,000 annually).
Software engineers earn a median salary of around $85,000, with the majority earning between $68,000 and $104,000. Those working for software publishers can expect to earn slightly more, with a median salary of just under $88,000. Computer support specialists earn median wages of around $43,000, with most earning between $33,000 and 55,000.
Systems administrators and IT managers earn a median salary of $112,000, with most earning between $88,000 and 141,000. It is important to note, however, that most in this position have several years’ experience in other IT positions.
Network administrators and security specialists earn a median salary of just over $66,000, with most earning between $51,000 and 84,000. Salary for this position varies wildly depending on the industry in which they work: those working for large companies and enterprises, for example, earn median salaries of over $70,000, while those working for elementary and secondary schools earn around $56,000.
Education for IT Careers
Hardware engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. However, due to the highly complex nature of computer systems, engineers will also graduate training. And as computer hardware technology advances rapidly, most have to continue with some sort of continuing education in order to stay current with the industry.
Electronics installers will usually need an associate’s degree in order to qualify for most positions, though a high school diploma along with significant computing experience may be sufficient.
Software engineers, much like hardware engineers, need a bachelor’s degree for most positions.
Computer support specialists have widely varying educational requirements: most require college degrees, often in computer science or information science. However, in some cases, associate’s degrees or certificate programs may be sufficient.
Systems administrators and IT managers nearly universally hold bachelor’s degrees, and many hold graduate degrees – either in computer science, computer engineering, or even a master’s in business administration (MBA) with a technology focus.
Network administrators and security specialists, much like computer support specialists, have varying educational requirements, though in order to be competitive for most positions a bachelor’s degree is required. For some positions, graduate degrees are exceedingly helpful in competing for top jobs.
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Outlook for IT Careers
Surprisingly, computer hardware engineers are expected to see their profession grow at a much slower rate than the national average: 4 percent.. Likewise, positions for electronics installers and repairers are expected to grow relatively slowly, at around 5 percent, though repair positions and contracts are expected to grow somewhat stronger than installation.
Software engineer career opportunities are expected to grow by over 30 percent in the coming years, much faster than the national average for all occupations. As computers and the internet become ever more central in business life, more companies are looking for software engineers and programmers to create internal and commercial software for their businesses.
Computer support specialist positions are expected to grow by around 14 percent in the coming year, still faster than the national average. These jobs are expected to grow most rapidly in data processing, software publishing, and management, scientific, and technical consulting industries.
Systems administrators and IT managers will see an expansion in employment of around 17 percent, as technology is applied in more ways, those with expertise in managing those systems will find work.
Network administrators and security specialists are expected to see an increase in employment of around 30 percent, as firms continue to invest in new communications technologies and need to keep those systems working smoothly.
While the job outlook for many careers is changing, IT careers promise to offer growth and opportunity for the long run.
