It’s widely known that information technology (IT) professionals are in high demand. As organizations in nearly every industry increasingly rely on technology to drive innovation and as the scale of cybersecurity threats rises exponentially, the need for skilled IT workers is growing. However, businesses are facing a persistent shortage of technology professionals—an issue that has gone from a minor inconvenience to a major business problem.
To help meet this demand and advance their own careers, many technology-driven professionals consider completing their first bachelor’s degree in technology studies as a first step on their information technology career path.
Graduates will find that information technology careers span every sector of business as well as government and non-profit organizations. The sheer number of different job titles, varying responsibilities and large salary ranges can be daunting if you’re in the early stages of your career. However, the following guide can give you an idea of the job opportunities for information technology graduates and help you determine which position may be right for you.
For example, do you want to be involved in the daily support of IT systems or a technology decision maker? Our guide profiles roles on both ends of the spectrum to give you a comprehensive look at careers in IT.
Information Technology Careers – Salary Preview
| Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Support Specialist | $52,810 |
| Network Administrator | $56,660 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $64,378 |
| Computer Forensics Analyst | $70,509 |
| IT Security Analyst | $70,738 |
| Director of IT | $115,159 |
Information Technology Careers and Salary Information
Computer Support Specialist Career Information
Computer support specialists provide day-to-day support of organizations’ technical systems, including internal networks, servers and individual computers. Support specialists must have technical knowledge of operating systems and must be adept at troubleshooting and quickly solving computer-related problems. These individuals typically work in office environments but may be employed in any organization that relies on computers for its operation. As issues may arise unexpectedly, support specialists may be required to work nights and weekends.
Computer Support Specialist Salary: $52,810 average
Computer Forensics Analyst Career Information
Computer forensics analysts use their computer science skills to locate and recover electronic data such as documents, photos, emails, and Internet search history to aid in criminal investigations—often cybercrimes. Analysts must be adept at navigating various computer operating systems, networks and hardware, as well as be able to perform hacking and intrusion to recover hidden or protected data. Computer forensics analysts typically work for law enforcement agencies but may work for private companies that assist agencies in their investigations.
Computer Forensics Analyst Salary: $70,509 average, up to $119,000 depending on location and level of experience
Network Administrator Career Information
Network administrators oversee the entire network—or group of connected computers—in an organization. They typically install and configure the organization’s local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN), and their day-to-day responsibilities may include keeping the network secure, monitoring traffic, deploying software updates and testing the network for efficiency. Like many IT jobs, network administrators may be required to work nights or weekends.
Network Administrator Salary: $56,660 average, up to $80,000 depending on location and level of experience
Information Security Analyst Career Information
While network administrators may help keep networks secure, information security analysts are on the front line of defense for an organization’s entire IT environment. Security analysts typically develop solutions to prevent cyber threats and security breaches, and they step in to analyze and resolve these issues when they arise. With cyberattacks on the rise, information security analysts are key players in any data-driven organization—including startups, e-commerce companies, government agencies and banks—and they must constantly stay ahead of the latest trends in cybercrime to prevent attacks.
Information Security Analyst Salary: $70,738 average, up to $107,000 depending on location and level of experience
Computer Systems Analyst
If you enjoy testing, troubleshooting, and experimenting with solutions to make a process more efficient, a computer systems analyst may be the role for you. These professionals assess the computer systems in various organizations and propose solutions for improving them, which may include designing and installing new, more advanced information systems. Computer systems analysts must have excellent communication skills, as it is important to clearly explain the benefits of their solution to non-technical employees and managers. They are often well-versed in various operating systems and programming languages and must be adept at working with large teams to design and configure entire computer systems—including the software, hardware, and networks.
Computer Systems Analyst Salary: $64,378 average, up to $96,000 depending on location and level of experience
Director of Information Technology Career Information
Many professionals on the information technology career path aspire to enter leadership positions where they will be responsible for making decisions that will impact IT strategies and technology investments throughout their organization. For example, Directors of Information Technology (IT Director) typically oversee all the technology that organizations rely on, and may work in finance, insurance, government, healthcare, or manufacturing. In addition to managing programs to increase efficiency, spearheading technical projects, and supervising other IT employees, IT directors also serve as the main liaison between the technical and business-focused sides of an organization. They regularly work with executives to determine business goals and propose technical solutions to help meet those goals. Because of their cross-departmental responsibilities, IT directors must have both excellent technical skills and business knowledge.
Director of Information Technology Salary: $115,159 average, up to $185,914 depending on location and level of experience.
Pace University’s BS in Professional Technology Studies
No matter which information technology career interests you, the online Bachelor of Science in Professional Technology Studies can help you achieve your goals by delivering the in-demand technical skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. The program offers concentrations in business technology leadership and computer forensics, enabling you to hone your expertise in an area that suits your career goals. With a generous transfer credit policy and 100% online coursework, you can earn your bachelor’s degree in professional technology studies on your own schedule and in less time than you may think—so you can begin focusing on your ideal information technology career.
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