Computer and IT careers: pay, skills and outlook
Technology occupations run from support roles reachable through certificates to engineering and research roles that expect a degree. What unites them is that skills and credentials often matter more than the specific diploma — vendor certifications and portfolios carry real weight at the entry end.
The list below ranks every computer and mathematical occupation in the federal data by median annual pay. Growth projections are shown on each occupation page, and they vary enormously within the field.
- Occupations
- 38
- Pay range
- $61,860–$140,300
- Top median
- $140,300
Computer and IT occupations, ranked by median pay
Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025.
Computer and Information Research ScientistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 37,200 employed$140,300median / yrDatabase ArchitectsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 67,140 employed$139,500median / yrData Warehousing SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 67,140 employed$139,500median / yrSoftware DevelopersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,687,890 employed$135,980median / yrComputer Network ArchitectsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 179,740 employed$134,050median / yrTelecommunications Engineering SpecialistsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 179,740 employed$134,050median / yrActuariesGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 26,670 employed$130,000median / yrInformation Security AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 190,650 employed$129,180median / yrMathematiciansExtensive preparation needed · 2,030 employed$126,710median / yrData ScientistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 262,440 employed$120,230median / yrBusiness Intelligence AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 262,440 employed$120,230median / yrClinical Data ManagersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 262,440 employed$120,230median / yrComputer Occupations, All OtherGrowingPreparation level not rated · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrWeb AdministratorsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrGeographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrDocument Management SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrPenetration TestersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrInformation Security EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrDigital Forensics AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrBlockchain EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrComputer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrInformation Technology Project ManagersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrComputer Systems AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 519,530 employed$105,850median / yrHealth Informatics SpecialistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 519,530 employed$105,850median / yrStatisticiansGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 29,030 employed$105,650median / yrBiostatisticiansGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 29,030 employed$105,650median / yrDatabase AdministratorsConsiderable preparation needed · 69,990 employed$104,620median / yrSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 186,740 employed$104,300median / yrWeb and Digital Interface DesignersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 113,330 employed$104,000median / yrVideo Game DesignersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 113,330 employed$104,000median / yrComputer ProgrammersConsiderable preparation needed · 92,230 employed$100,390median / yrNetwork and Computer Systems AdministratorsMedium preparation needed · 314,340 employed$99,130median / yrWeb DevelopersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 70,190 employed$92,650median / yrOperations Research AnalystsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 108,510 employed$88,940median / yrMathematical Science Occupations, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 3,720 employed$81,490median / yrBioinformatics TechniciansConsiderable preparation needed · 3,720 employed$81,490median / yrComputer Network Support SpecialistsConsiderable preparation needed · 146,190 employed$76,220median / yrComputer User Support SpecialistsMedium preparation needed · 717,190 employed$61,860median / yr
Fastest growing computer and it occupations
Projected employment growth, 2024–34.
- Data Scientistsgrowing much faster than average+34%
- Business Intelligence Analystsgrowing much faster than average+34%
- Clinical Data Managersgrowing much faster than average+34%
- Information Security Analystsgrowing much faster than average+29%
- Actuariesgrowing much faster than average+22%
- Operations Research Analystsgrowing much faster than average+21%
- Computer and Information Research Scientistsgrowing much faster than average+20%
- Computer Network Architectsgrowing much faster than average+12%