As technology advances, qualified IT professionals become even more crucial to our economy. Tech jobs continue to grow in key industries like professional services, finance, insurance and manufacturing.
“All companies need tech workers, not just big tech companies,” said Courtney Quinn, senior director, career intent marketing, CompTIA. “In fact, a tech job is one of your safest bets going into 2023.”
In general, computer and information research scientists are poised for 21% growth in their field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That's much faster than the 5% average growth for all fields. Plus, unemployment rates for tech workers are almost half the national average, according to CompTIA's 2023 Tech Jobs Report.
With an IT education and training, you could find your place in the growing world of tech.
Is IT Right for Me?
While certain IT roles might not be the best fit, as you explore everything the tech industry has to offer, you may realize another position is your ideal role. For instance, even if you don't enjoy programming, you could still fall in love with user experience (UX) design.
“There are so many diverse jobs in IT, and you can find one that aligns with your interests and existing skill set,” Quinn said.
She recommends taking the quiz, Is IT Right for You? to help you decide if you should pursue a career in IT. The quiz examines your priorities, interests and how you solve problems to determine how you best fit in the field.
There are a lot of myths about working in IT that aren’t true, according to Quinn. “For instance, you don’t need to be a math or science genius to work in IT,” she said. “All you need is to commit to learning something new, align yourself with the best learning program for you and start doing the work. Starting your journey to building tech skills may seem daunting, but don’t let it scare you.”
Separate from your technical training, many workers who enter tech don’t realize that you also need strong communication abilities and other professional skills to be successful. Some schools offer coursework specifically focused on communication in the technologies.
There are many resources to help you succeed in the field, Quinn noted — along with a large community to support you.
“Millions of people have developed the skills they need to work in IT and advance technology throughout the world,” she said. “You can do this too.”
What Are the Most In-Demand IT Jobs?
While jobs in technology are growing as a whole, let’s take a look at some specific roles that are particularly in high demand.
The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report, published in March 2023, lists some high-demand jobs in the field. According to this report, the most popular job postings in technology include:
- Software developer/engineer: Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programming
- IT project manager: An IT project manager helps to keep IT-related projects organized and on schedule
- IT support specialist: IT support specialists assist employees or clients with common technical issues they might experience
- Network engineer: Also called network architect, network engineers design and create communication networks
- Systems engineer: Professionals called systems engineers create and manage systems and monitor hardware and software to keep an organization running
These are the most in-demand roles in tech, but there are more niche tech jobs you might consider, too, if you're passionate about a certain technical topic.
What Other Careers Should I Consider?
Some other jobs you could get with a computer science education include:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) engineer: If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, consider working on the frontier of machine learning as an AI engineer
- Cryptanalyst: Are you good at puzzles? Cryptanalysts or cryptographers are codebreakers who decipher complicated codes, often on behalf of various government agencies, like the FBI
- Digital forensic examiner: Digital forensic examiners use their technical knowledge to assist with criminal investigations, typically working for the FBI or other government agencies
- Ethical hacker: Also called “white hat hackers” or “hacktivists,” ethical hackers use their expertise in cybersecurity to hack the hackers and thwart cyberattacks
What you do in the office isn't the only reason tech is a great career. It’s also about what you get out of the job. Quinn says that working in tech often offers a great work-life balance. Stability, vacation time and the opportunity for more disposable income make tech roles even more appealing for many workers.
“Through substantial salaries, bonuses, benefits and added perks, people who work in IT live the lives they want,” said Quinn.
Are IT Jobs Lucrative?
According to Skillsoft’s 2022 IT Skills and Salary Report, the average annual salary for IT pros in the United States is $110,765 in 2022.
Some of the highest-paying positions in the field and their average annual salaries based on 2021 BLS data include:
- Computer and information systems manager: $162,930
- Computer and information research scientist: $142,650
- Computer hardware engineer: $136,230
- Database architect: $121,840
- Software developer: $120,990
Some positions with mid-range average annual salaries reported by BLS are:
- Information security analyst: $113,270
- Data scientist: $108,660
- Computer systems analyst: $102,210
- Web and digital interface designer: $95,460
- Computer programmer: $93,000
Roles at the lower-paying end of the spectrum of tech jobs still pay well above $45,760 — the median salary for all occupations, according to BLS. The following roles and their median salaries in 2021 noted by BLS include:
- Web developer: $81,320
- Computer network support specialist: $71,350
- Computer user support specialist: $57,650
Did you know that you can get many of these jobs without a 4-year degree? Having equivalent or relevant experience counts too. Earning an IT certification can help you prove to employers you have the skills to succeed in many of these roles.
How Can You Get Experience in IT?
As you develop the skills you need to work in IT it’s important to get hands-on experience as well. According to Quinn the easiest way to do this is through a combination of education, certification and hands-on experience.
She outlines the following steps to get started:
- First, you’ll need to decide what role you want to pursue and get some training in your chosen area of study. This could mean taking courses, working towards a certification or earning a college degree.
- Once you’ve mastered the foundations, Quinn recommends honing your skills through immersive labs, which simulate IT job environments. “This will help raise your confidence and understanding of tech concepts,” she said.
- Next, you’ll need to prove you have specialized tech skills by getting certifications that align with specific IT job functions. “You can also volunteer to help your friends, family and community with IT support,” she noted.
- Finally, you should apply for internships, entry-level work programs and part-time roles with access to IT workers you can learn from.
Through training and certification CompTIA has helped more than 2 million job seekers and tech workers prepare for and advance their careers with confidence.
Explore CompTIA’s resources and jumpstart your career in technology.
Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a writer with a master's in English and creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with them on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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