Over the past few decades, information technology has remained a key economic driver in the United States and beyond. The many types of information technology jobs continuously transform the way we live and work, improve efficiency in business operations, and influence the quality of various services.
This article will discuss what information technology professionals do, how much information technology professionals make, and other vital facts such as the highest-paying IT career paths for 2022. Read on if you want to learn more about what it entails to be an information technology professional.
What Is Information Technology?
Information technology (IT) is a tech industry that involves using computers systems and other associated hardware and software infrastructure to solve several business problems. It entails creating and maintaining various storage, processing, and networking infrastructures used in business operations.
IT is a broad industry comprising several types of jobs, including security analyst, network administrator, software developer, network engineer, data scientist, and many others. IT professionals work to ensure the efficiency and safety of all the hardware, software, and network architecture in an organization.
What Do Information Technology Professionals Do?
The primary duties of IT professionals vary according to their specialization. While a cyber security specialist ensures that the company’s network and software are secured from malware and threats, software developers create new and improved applications. However, all IT professionals utilize various hardware and software equipment in their daily activities.
- Design IT systems. The responsibility of designing the hardware, software, communication, and cloud infrastructure for a company falls into the hands of IT professionals. They determine which layout will best suit the company’s needs, improve efficiency, and enhance user experience.
- Maintain IT systems. IT professionals maintain the various components of a company’s IT infrastructure and ensure everything is functional. They help install new hardware and software while also updating IT systems as necessary.
- Have great programming skills. IT professionals help businesses to build and maintain their websites and software applications using various programming skills. They also build pipelines and databases for storing customer data.
- Provide IT support. They train other non-tech workers to use the various IT infrastructures. Typically, IT professionals provide adequate support and assistance whenever any staff member encounters technical challenges.
- Secure computer systems. They employ specific security procedures regarding computer systems to prevent security breaches and threats. They conduct network monitoring and test the systems regularly to spot and remove bugs and malware.
How Much Do Information Technology Professionals Make?
Information technology professionals make $91,250, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Generally, the median salary of an IT employee is significantly affected by their experience, level of education, size, and location of the hiring company, among several other factors.
Information Technology Average Salaries
Glassdoor reports that the annual salary for entry-level IT professionals is $62,835 while those with fifteen or more years of work experience can earn an average annual salary of $93,855. Your position, specialty, and previous experience will greatly affect your potential salary.
What Is the Job Growth for Information Technology?
In the same report, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that computer and information technology occupations will experience a job growth of 13 percent by 2030. That translates to about 667,600 new jobs. This growth is tied to the increasing adoption of tech innovations among businesses.
The Highest-Paying Types of Information Technology Jobs in 2022
- Software Architect | $126,769
- Computer Network Architect | $121,868
- Solutions Architects | $120,756
- Information Technology Architects | $118,988
- Computer and Information Research Scientists | $109,345
- DevOps Engineer| $97,098
- Data Scientist | $97,004
- Information Security Engineer | $93,992
- Database Administrator | $73,624
- Computer Systems Analysts | $71,805
The list above shows the top ten highest-paying information technology jobs in 2022. It comprises several fields, and to enhance this list we drew insights from salary reports on Payscale. Next, we shall briefly discuss the wide range of career paths, the primary duties, and the necessary technical skills you need to excel in various IT professions in 2022.
Software Architect
- Average Salary: $126,769
Software architects may be likened to project managers. They lead a team of software developers and engineers, assign tasks, and ensure that their team meets the client’s requirements regarding various software products. They also use their technical knowledge to design software programs and operating systems to solve specific business problems.
Computer Network Architects
- Average Salary: $121,868
Computer network architects design, create, and maintain data communication networks ranging from intranets to enterprise-level Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and worldwide communications systems. They often work with the chief information officer to determine which section of the organization needs new network systems.
Solutions Architects
- Average Salary: $120,756
Solutions architects typically apply both business and technical skills to determine which technologies and frameworks they can employ to solve issues at every stage of a project. Often, solutions analysts have a background in software development, business practices, and a long list of soft skills, especially critical thinking, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills.
Information Technology Architects
- Average Salary: $118,988
IT architects, also called enterprise architects, are responsible for designing and maintaining the organization’s IT infrastructure. That includes the memory, communications, network, private cloud, servers, and security. They oversee the system’s maintenance and upgrading processes and ensure that adjustments and revisions improve user experience and meet business goals.
Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Average Salary: $109,345
Computer and information research scientists investigate an organization’s computing technology assets and operations to create new or enhanced models and processes. They also deploy different models to test their effectiveness, make observations, and write extensive reports. As an IT researcher, it is vital that you know several programming languages.
DevOps Engineer
- Average Salary: $97,098
Development operations engineers work to improve the speed and efficiency of the software development life cycle. They link various stakeholders in the production process including senior software engineers, data scientists, cloud engineers, quality assurance testers, among others. They must possess excellent full stack development skills.
Data Scientist
- Average Salary: $97,004
Data scientists are experts who employ various technical skills to determine relevant trends and patterns from a large data set. Using multiple mathematical, programming, and statistical tools, they process data and present aesthetic reports and recommendations. With such insights, businesses can make targeted and informed decisions.
Information Security Engineer
- Average Salary: $93,992
Information security engineers monitor and protect the organization’s networks, servers, databases, and IT systems to prevent unauthorized access and threats. These professionals develop, test, and implement technologies such as firewalls, and encryption codes to safeguard vital information and software.
Should there be any breach, the engineers employ various security measures to effectively deal with intruders. An information security technician will then attempt to improve protective measures to better safeguard sensitive information in the future. This is a critical position in an array of tech and business fields.
Database Administrators
- Average Salary: $73,624
Database administrators (DBAs) ensure an organization’s data management systems’ quality and security. They implement, configure, and maintain the databases and support solutions architects in designing and testing data sets. In addition, they create database standards and policies and implement storage strategies.
Computer Systems Analysts
- Average Salary: $71,805
Computer systems analysts work to improve the quality of a company’s computer systems and operational procedures. They team up with the systems manager and other IT professionals at different stages of the system development cycle to determine ways to improve the system’s memory, speed, user experience, security, and efficiency.
Information Technology Career Path
There are many ways to enter the information industry. You may take the traditional method and obtain an IT associate degree, IT bachelor’s degree, or higher qualification in a computer-related field. Or, you might follow a non-traditional path and attend a bootcamp to gain a technical education. If you’re interested in IT but you’re unsure how to get started, here are a few tips for you.
- Do your research before choosing a career path. The IT industry comprises several specializations. Computer programmers and systems administrators have different roles. Research is vital if you want to choose the path that suits your interests and career goals. Look into the primary duties, job outlook, salary range, and career-specific skills of IT professionals.
- Obtain relevant training. After deciding on an information technology field, you will need to obtain relevant training in your specialization. You may choose to take either the formal education or non-traditional learning path. The non-traditional education route gives you appropriate training and access to the tech industry without requiring a college degree.
- Obtain relevant certifications. Some IT fields require you to have a professional certification. These certifications affirm that you have obtained industry-standard training in that field. For example, information security managers should have the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification to apply for a role.
- Build a compelling portfolio. Portfolios are an excellent way to showcase your skills and abilities to potential employers. A good portfolio should be well organized and visually appealing while also showcasing your skills. You should also create an effective resume and cover letter to show your professional and academic experience.
- Perform strategic job searches. Acquiring the training required may not be enough to get you your dream job in tech. You must also master your job search and interviewing skills. A strategic job search requires you to target specific companies and job titles that match your skills and advance your career goals.
Should You Become an Information Technology Professional?
Yes, you should become an information technology professional. This field comes with job security and vast employment opportunities and career options. You can even gain the necessary education for entry-level positions in months at an information technology bootcamp. Starting a career in information technology is an excellent choice for 2022 and beyond.
Types of Information Technology Careers FAQ
Information technology professionals can work in any business or industry that uses IT systems and computing technology. Depending on the company’s size, they may work solo or with a team of other professionals. You will be able to climb the career ladder to land high-paying jobs with enough work experience.
The minimum education requirements for information technology positions vary depending on the company. While some employers may require applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree program, others will evaluate your competence to execute certain tasks regardless of your educational history.
The technical skills required to work as an information technology professional differ with specializations. For example, computer systems architects learn to use Python, Perl, C, and Ansible programming languages while web developers primarily use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, and Agile.
The cost of training generally differs from one school to another. Schools and coding bootcamps have unique training methods. Also, they often offer different payment plans, which usually attract varying gross costs. Common tuition payment plans include deferred payments, upfront payments, and installments.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
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