The Top 4 Jobs in Information Technology (IT)

The Top 4 Jobs in Information Technology (IT) The Top 4 Jobs in Information Technology (IT) If you are thinking of a career change, or are wondering how your IT position compares to others in the industry, both CareerCast and Dice have recently issued rankings for the best jobs in the United States today. The following list combines information from two independent reports issued by CareerCast and Dice. The Dice survey was released in January 2016, compiling the feedback of nearly 1,200 hiring managers and recruiters across the United States working specifically in the IT industry.   CareerCast released a survey of 200 jobs across all industries, ranging from software engineers to lumberjacks. Each job was assessed based on average pay, unemployment rates, hiring outlook, stress factors, physical demands, and environmental factors. Salary and hiring outlook was given more weight than the other factors. Of course, few IT positions are as stressful or hazardous as being a soldier or a nuclear contamination technician.   Data Scientists Data scientists are kind of like statisticians. They’re responsible for breaking down the large amounts of information that companies collect and turning it into information or analytics that companies can use to improve their services. Data scientists are in high demand, they’re ranked by CareerCast at number 6 this year, projected to earn upwards of $100,000 on average. The Dice survey ranks Data Scientists (or “Big Data”) as the number 8 most sought-after position. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% growth over the next ten years.     Software Engineers and Developers Ranked as number 8 by CareerCast, a software engineer has a median salary of $93,113. According to the Dice Hiring Survey in January 2016, software developers were the most sought-after positions ranked by hiring managers. CareerCast also reported a favorable hiring outlook for these positions, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a job outlook of 17%, which is higher than the average position in the US. Computer Systems Analysts The hiring outlook for systems analysts is also good this year according to CareerCast, they’re ranked number 10 on their list. At an average salary of $81,150, analysts have slightly better working conditions and fewer physical demands than software engineers. This is probably due to the fact that they dont spend quite so much time in a server room, nor do they usually have to lift equipment. Their growth outlook is strong, as well, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 21% growth over the next decade. Network and Computer Systems Administrator A Network and Computer Systems Administrator is a job that will never die out; all organizations require someone who can service their servers and routers. CareerCast ranked Network and Computer Systems Administrators at number 13 on their list. The income has a great outlook, at $75,790, and the outlook should grow by 8% over the next decade. Last But Not Least... At the bottom of  CareerCasts list are Computer Service Technicians and Computer Programmers. Computer technicians were ranked 110th out of their 200 job listings, with an average salary of $36,164. Computer programmers were ranked 23rd, with an average salary of $76,180.? It’s a good idea to check these rankings and adjust your gameplan accordingly if you’re looking to get into the tech field. It’s not a crystal ball, but it should give a good guide for future employment possibilities. Also, consider entry-level jobs in IT.