Professionals in information technology (IT) are tasked with assisting businesses in maintaining their internet infrastructure and assisting technology users with problem-solving. To assist others in keeping up with technology advancements and security protocols, IT professionals are in high demand.
Your family always turns to you when anybody needs help with a computer or a question regarding a smartphone. When you were younger, you used to enjoy peering inside the tower case of your old desktop pc, marveling at the components within that appeared to be from the future and wondering what they did. Since you were little, you’ve been fascinated with computers, and as you’ve gotten older, your curiosity hasn’t diminished.
You could be seriously considering making your passion for technology and computers into a successful IT career path at this point in your IT career exploration. The excellent thing is that there are several alternatives for IT careers in computer technology; the only difficulty may be choosing the one that is best for you.
You might think about IT careers if you’re interested in honing your coding and problem-solving abilities. In this post, we’ll give you some real-world IT work examples to aid in your search for the ideal IT career path that matches your interests, abilities, and objectives.
Job categories in information technology
If you’re considering working in this industry, have a look at the following list of various IT careers, along with information on their usual duties, average incomes, and prerequisites:
1. IT technician
National average yearly salary: $51,569
An IT technician’s main responsibilities in an IT career include working with support personnel to identify and analyze computer problems. Additionally, they keep an eye on how processes are running; install the required software, and test computer hardware and software as needed. They might also impart fresh knowledge on software or function to a company’s staff, customers, and other users.
Qualifications: IT technicians are required to have either a bachelor of science or an associate’s degree in IT in computer networks or computer science. Technicians provide services for IT organizations based on the sector they want to work in and may be required to know more about computer coding to have an edge in entry-level employment.
2. Support expert
National average yearly salary: $58,536
Support professionals in IT careers are in charge of examining and resolving hardware and network node issues for a company. They can be employed in several sectors, offering great assistance to a firm’s staff, or in a digital or software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm, offering technical support for user experience problems that call for it.
Qualifications: Support professionals often hold a bachelor’s computer science degree or information technology. It may also be appropriate to have a certification or an associate’s degree in addition to significant work experience.
3. A quality control inspector
National average yearly salary: $65,518
Engineers or technicians in IT careers that specialize in quality assurance testing examine software solutions to see whether they adhere to regulatory requirements and are error-free. This function is typical for gaming programs, mobile programs, and other technological systems that call for additional testing and upkeep when advised.
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or software design is typically required of quality assurance testers. IT organizations use testers to work on a variety of applications, which may affect the degree or area of specialization they choose to pursue. To help with test case documentation, these specialists should also possess great time communication and management abilities.
4. A web developer
National average yearly salary: $67,854
Web developers in IT careers create the look, functionality, and content arrangement of a website. They handle visuals, apps, and content that meets the needs of a client using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Qualifications: A lot of web developers have an associate’s degree in web design or a related area of information technology. Some people might want to get a bachelor’s degree in management or information technology. Others might enhance their web design abilities through self-paced education or credential programs. Prior experience and a body of work are frequently necessary to land a job.
Regular tasks
- Having customer meetings and determining their website needs
- Web application development and testing
- Building the website’s code
- Cooperating with teams of website stakeholders
- Designing layouts that are user-friendly, practical, and accessible
- Tracking website traffic or other important performance indicators
5. An expert in IT security
National average yearly salary: $71,818
IT security professionals in IT career design and manage digital safeguards for a company’s data and proprietary information across a variety of industries. They assist businesses in developing backup strategies if the information on their servers and networks is compromised. Additionally, these experts develop plans of attack for resolving issues as they occur.
Qualifications: A bachelor of science or professional qualifications are frequently needed. Courses may cover algebra, programming, and software platforms. The Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) also offers certifications.
6. A computer programmer
National average yearly salary: $73,218
An individual in an IT career who creates new computer software utilizing programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript is known as a programmer. It is possible to update computer games software to enhance online gaming, giving programmers the chance to address issues that players may encounter after the game is made available to the public.
Qualifications: To further their expertise, programmers often complete an internship and a bachelor’s computer science degree. Additionally, obtaining certifications is strongly advised, and there are numerous coding schools to pick from.
7. Systems analyst
National average yearly salary: $82,373
Systems analyst in IT careers examines design elements and uses their information technology expertise to address business issues. They pinpoint the infrastructure changes that are necessary to improve business and IT processes. They can help technologists train staff members to make the suggested adjustments.
Qualifications: Typically, applicants must hold a bachelor’s computer science degree or a closely related IT profession. These individuals may benefit from taking courses in business administration, management, and finance to assist them in better using their IT expertise to enhance business procedures.
8. Network Engineer
National average yearly salary: $89,326
Network engineers in IT careers are responsible for the everyday maintenance and growth of a firm’s network connection, applying their expertise to ensure that the network is accessible and efficient to all personnel within a company.
Qualifications: To comprehend how a network operates and become acquainted with the various solutions required to sustain one, these experts normally need a bachelor’s computer science degree or information systems. For people that collaborate with other key company stakeholders to develop the best technological practices, some employers could also demand an MBA.
9. Software engineer
National average yearly salary: $93,817
Software engineers in IT career design and improve new software using their understanding of computer science and mathematics. They might work on computer systems, enterprise apps, or network control systems, each of which is a type of software that has the potential to support enterprises in scaling their IT infrastructure.
Qualifications: To become experts in software creation and maintenance, the majority of computer scientists must hold both a master’s and a bachelor’s degree. They acquire knowledge of technical problem-solving techniques and put such techniques into practice.
Routine tasks
- Evaluating user requirements and developing software to fulfill those requirements
- Examining and suggesting potential changes or solutions for current software and systems
- Preparing and outlining how various components of a network or application will interact with one another
- Planning and carrying out tests to guarantee functionality
- Through upkeep and testing, monitoring and correcting application functioning
- Making reference materials
10. User experience developer
National average yearly salary: $94,954
A user experience (UX) developer in an IT career is involved in every step of the product development process, including usability testing, branding, usability testing, and usability testing. To ascertain what a product requires to be effective, efficient, and successful, they gather and analyze user feedback. They use this feedback to improve the design, structure, and usability. These experts then keep an eye on the product testing and revision processes to ensure that the final products satisfy the high requirements of their customers.
Qualifications: UX designers can enroll in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in an IT discipline and take extra design, management, web design, or programming courses. Others might have learned programming, design, and development on their own. Most employers do look for prior experience, therefore these individuals may get jobs with the assistance of a portfolio or internship.
11. Database manager
National average yearly salary: $98,860
To manage and track data, database managers in IT careers need sophisticated software. When appropriate, the software may be linked to software systems, privacy, and performance. To guarantee that a firm’s data is secure, usable, and accessible, these specialists frequently identify and resolve intricate IT problems in the information infrastructure.
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in computer programming or information systems management is often required for database managers. Before taking on this position, they frequently work as a database scientist or developer to gain knowledge of data gathering and database operations.
12. Data scientist
National average yearly salary: $102,312
A data scientist in IT careers organizes and analyzes data to find patterns that can affect business choices. They gather and process data from a firm, like financial documents, sales, leads, and lead creation, using methodologies and IT systems that leverage statistics and computer learning. Some tasks are different for different sectors. For instance, data scientists in the medical industry maintain electronic health records (EHRs) so that hospitals can access private patient data. They might also make good commercial judgments with the aid of data for medical institutions.
Qualifications: A lot of these individuals decide to go for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business, IT, or a related sector. Some people continue their education by taking courses, earning certifications, and earning additional degrees in fields like health care.
13. A computer scientist
National average yearly salary: $108,521
Computer scientist in IT careers uses their knowledge of technology and resources to address IT issues for companies. They create new software to carry out duties quickly and effectively, in addition to new features that can benefit clients or staff.
Certain computer scientists work as application developers, helping to write code for user-serving software. Computer scientists are greatly relied upon by IT firms to develop new languages for programming and increase the effectiveness of software and hardware systems.
Qualifications: Most businesses prefer master’s degree candidates for computer scientists, but bachelor’s degrees are also acceptable. Additionally, prior employment experience could be advantageous to potential employers.
14. IT director
National average yearly salary: $111,971
An IT director in IT careers is in charge of planning and carrying out an organization’s IT activities. They make certain that departmental tasks support the growth and goals of the organization. To create backup plans, budgets, and development objectives, these specialists may also work together with executive leadership and other corporate IT professionals.
Qualifications: A postgraduate degree and related professional certificates, such as those from specific programs or relevant management courses, may be necessary for this role. These people can gain the broad expertise necessary to rise to this managerial position by taking on entry-level and mid-level responsibilities in database structures and IT support.
15. Computer network architects
National average yearly salary: $120,520
Local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets are all designed and built by computer network architects, often known as computer network engineers in IT careers. These networks could be modest links between offices or huge networks that span entire corporations. This person also handles any network-related problems that come up and foresees future networking requirements.
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, information, and computing technology, or a similar discipline is often required for computer network architects. Aspiring network architects can gain practical experience in courses like information security or database management system by enrolling in degree courses in a computer-related field.
Routine tasks
- Designing and constructing data communications system layouts
- Describing goals and network requirements to executives or other interested parties
- Identifying security requirements and developing methods to meet them
- Hardware upgrades as necessary
- Examining new networking devices to identify requirements for the future
16. Computer support professionals
National average yearly salary: $55,510
Computer support professionals in IT careers are at the forefront of IT, helping users with a wide range of everyday problems, such as having trouble reconnecting to Wi-Fi, setting up a new workstation, or troubleshooting problems when trying to connect to a new printer. They could help system and network administrators with more extensive hardware or software rollouts as well. They play a crucial role inside any corporation since they are effective communicators, intuitive problem solvers, and quick to diagnose and assess computer issues.
Qualifications: A computer support expert can start their IT career with any degree. Even though some occupations would only need computer-related courses, having a tertiary certification or an associate’s degree can give specialized access to more work prospects. These courses cover topics like help desk procedures, computer networks, hardware, and operating systems. These programs normally last one to two years to finish.
A bachelor’s degree in computer programming or information systems may be required of computer support experts by larger software organizations, particularly if the position is more technical.
Regular tasks
- Asking inquiries, assessing needs, and taking in users’ descriptions of computer issues
- Guiding users through the processes necessary to address difficulties
- Establishing and maintaining computer hardware and devices
- Instruction in the usage of computer software and hardware for users
17. IT project supervisors
National average yearly salary: $92,870
IT project leaders have a special place in IT careers. They are in charge of organizing, starting, and carrying out difficult IT initiatives and projects. To accomplish this, they must act as a link between the engineers performing the work and the company stakeholders establishing the project’s overall objectives and vision. They construct overarching project schedules that outline how this job will be accomplished and keep teams responsible for meeting timelines and budgets. They aid both parties in understanding potential project obstacles. IT project managers possess a strong combination of technical expertise, planning and organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication abilities.
Qualifications: At least 3 years of work experience in a comparable capacity, communication skills, professional education, and a PMP certification are typically needed. A professional organization, a college or university, or an online training course with a narrow concentration is all options for obtaining certification.
Typical tasks
- Discussing IT project scope and timeframe with corporate stakeholders
- Collaborating with technical groups to discover potential obstacles or problems and choosing solutions to address them
- Monitoring project progress and addressing unforeseen concerns through regular check-ins
- Making comprehensive strategies for the rollout of IT projects
- Interacting with technical staff to determine the project’s resource requirements
18. Info-security specialists
National average yearly salary: $103,590
A data protection analyst in IT careers guards a company’s network and systems against security lapses and the potential repercussions from them, a crucial and continuously growing role. These analysts work to develop disaster recovery plans, do cybersecurity assessments, develop plans to address potential threats, and closely monitor new and existing dangers in the sector. This position necessitates in-depth familiarity with how software and hardware interact, an understanding of their potential vulnerabilities, and the capacity to spearhead proactive change inside a company to tackle information security issues.
Qualifications: The standard educational requirement for information security analysts is a bachelor’s degree in computer science and technology or a closely related subject, like math or engineering. However, some workers come into the field with a high school graduation as well as the necessary training and credentials from the sector.
Regular tasks
- Keeping an eye out for security flaws or possible problems
- Directing the firm’s implementation of security tools like firewalls and antivirus software
- Reports generation
- Recording any data breaches and advising on how to prevent them in the future
- Checking systems for potential weaknesses
- Developing training materials and establishing best security practices for a company
19. Computer systems analysts
National average yearly salary: $93,730.
To best serve an organization’s computer requirements, computer systems analysts in IT careers, or network architects, develop new systems and processes. Computer systems analysts frequently possess both a highly developed knowledge of IT and a solid foundation of expertise in a particular business, such as healthcare, finance, or marketing. For instance, a computer systems analyst in a medical environment would be responsible for upgrading or creating a system for maintaining and exchanging medical records of patients. Analysts who comprehend the regulations controlling patient data and understand how this platform will be utilized by providers are crucial because that information may demand unique legal concerns.
Qualifications: Information and computing technology bachelor’s degrees are often required for computer systems analysts, as well as degrees in related fields like mathematics. It may be advantageous to major in information systems management or take business courses since these analysts are engaged in the commercial aspects of an organization.
Regular tasks
- Assessing the IT requirements of a firm with the help of managers and other subject-matter experts
- Examining and determining the possible advantages and disadvantages of technological advances
- Selecting and setting up new software and hardware to satisfy organizational requirements
- In charge of setting up new computer networks
- End-user education, manual creation, and other critical documents
Additional IT jobs
The following IT-related occupations are also worth looking into:
- Applications Engineer: An application engineer serves as a conduit between clients and engineers. They examine consumer sales data and help create and test sophisticated software applications. The public is also shown the engineers’ results to provide comments on any adjustments that should be done.
- Cloud system engineer: A cloud system engineer calculates how much database storage a business has and assesses how readily available its software is to users. They assess if data is properly processed inside a company’s cloud platform.
- Data quality manager: A manager of data quality makes data practices visible to a company. For instance, they can set up procedures using a customer relationship management (CRM) system to maintain the system’s users’ functional efficiency at a high level.
- Help desk technician: A client support technician provides technical support to deal with problems involving the software or hardware of an organization. They must communicate problems to staff members in a way that is clear and understandable, whether they work on-site or remotely.
- IT coordinator: An IT coordinator performs administrative duties to assist in keeping a company’s computer networks in good shape. Giving users IT guidance, training new hires, and implementing new IT procedures for computer software or hardware are a few examples of tasks.
- Director of management information systems: A management information systems director is in charge of implementing software, setting up equipment, and other initiatives to raise the standard of an organization’s information systems.
- Web administrator: A company’s web server is established by a web administrator, who also builds mail servers, provides access to certain users, and assists users in understanding the fundamental operations of the system they are using.
- Cybersecurity: This field focuses on safeguarding user and organizational data in addition to the precautions taken to lessen damage in the case of a breach.
- Software development: This programming-oriented discipline of IT focuses on creating or updating application software to fulfill the needs of consumers.
- IT infrastructure: This subject area is concerned with the conception, organization, and deployment of IT-related hardware, typically on a corporate level.
- IT support: These are the experts who help end users (or other IT support staff) with regular technical problems.
- Data management: Experts in this field concentrate their efforts on the creation of organized database systems, the development of data-loss backup procedures, and the analysis of obtained data.
Conclusion
Deciding to start an IT career can be the right one for you. Numerous companies and organizations depend heavily on their IT infrastructure and the experts who work with it, and this is not going to shift anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions on IT Careers
- What is the least demanding IT position?
One of the least stressful professions in technology is web development. The website’s design is supervised and carried out by this role. In addition to designing the website and its apps, they also work on maintaining it and its applications.
- Which area of IT has the least coding?
Non-coding positions in the IT industry include positions like business analyst, project leader, and market research scientist.
- Is it challenging to launch an IT career?
Even though you’ll have to start from scratch, it might be the best method to get your first year or two of IT expertise. All things considered, it is possible to begin an IT career without any prior expertise — hence the phrase “start” — yet many people are still hesitant to enter the field.