If you’re looking for a high-paying, in-demand job that rewards problem-solving skills, a career in information technology might be right for you. The field of computer science encompasses computer systems, programming languages, software, data, information processing, and storage to create, secure, and exchange electronic data.
Even with recent layoffs in the tech sector, Gaurav Jetley, assistant professor of computer information systems at Colorado State University‘s College of Business, says not to worry.
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“IT jobs are always in demand,” Jetley says. “We hope more jobs will be created later this year.”
And this seems to be true: according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 377,500 job openings are projected each year, with a median annual salary for computer and information technology occupations of $104,420 as of May 2023.
For those interested in pursuing a job in IT, here are 10 of the highest paying positions in this field.
1. Chief Technology Officer
Highest paid companies: Capital One, Bloomberg, AFL-CIO
Description: Chief technology officers (CTOs) manage an organization’s technology needs and oversee its research and development efforts. CTOs consider an organization’s needs and make investments to help them achieve their goals. They also use technology to improve products for customers.
Average base salary: $186,703, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: San Diego, California ($298,291), Seattle, Washington ($255,930), New York, NY ($224,111), according to Indeed.
2. Vice President of Information Technology
Highest paid companies: Oracle, Centene, USAA
Description: Vice presidents (VPs) of information technology are responsible for overseeing an organization’s IT operations, including its infrastructure, security, data management and software applications. Vice Presidents of IT direct and manage schedules, IT plans, programs and policies related to the management of information systems, IT services, data processing, network communications and business operations of ‘an organization.
Average base salary: $167,619, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: Arlington Heights, Illinois ($228,699), San Diego, California ($213,387), Dallas, Texas ($211,544), according to Indeed.
3. Application Architect
Highest paid companies: Cisco, IBM, Amazon.com
Description: Application architects manage the development and troubleshooting of applications. Whether overseeing a team of developers or working with clients to plan and design applications, this role addresses programming and coding issues to improve products. This position requires someone to be both a master developer and an experienced leader.
Average base salary: $138,429, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: San Jose, California ($173,364), San Francisco, California ($161,567), Washington, DC ($153,720), according to Indeed.
4. Data Architect
Highest paid companies: Amazon.com, Accenture, IBM
Description: Data architects design, deploy and manage an organization’s data infrastructure. This role formulates an organization’s overall data strategy, including analyzing existing databases, planning for future ones, and implementing data storage and management solutions. Since virtually every business uses data, this role is useful across all industries.
“They define how data will be stored in the enterprise, how it will be consumed,” says Jetley.
Average base salary: $132,442, according to Wage scale.
Best paid locations: Washington, DC ($153,480), New York, NY ($149,160), Minneapolis, Minnesota ($122,717), according to Wage scale.
5. Director of Information Technology
Highest paid companies: Oracle, Bristol Myers Squibb, USAA
Description: CIOs manage an organization’s information technology and IT systems under the direction of the CIO. This position ensures that an organization’s technology solutions adequately manage the security, accessibility, and functionality of their IT framework. They also ensure good communication between management and the IT department.
Average base salary: $130,896, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: San Jose, California ($193,636), St. Louis, Missouri ($176,150), New York, NY ($159,317), according to Indeed.
6. Solutions Architect
Highest paid companies: Cisco, IBM, Amazon.com
Description: Solutions architects develop, build, and implement an organization’s systems architecture to meet customer and business needs. This role evaluates an organization’s existing system architecture and finds solutions to change, improve and modernize.
“Companies that use a cloud solution typically have a solutions architect. They are the ones designing these solutions,” says Jetley. “Nowadays, we see an increase in the number of cloud solution architects using AI. These days, most AI runs in the cloud.
Average base salary: $128,106, according to Wage scale.
Best paid locations: San Francisco, California ($148,014), New York, NY ($135,266), Chicago, Illinois ($132,515), according to Wage scale.
7. Chief Information Officer
Highest paid companies: Cisco, Walt Disney Company, Adobe
Description: Chief information officers (CIOs) are responsible for managing and implementing an organization’s information and computer technology systems. This leadership position determines which technologies will benefit an organization, improve business processes, and integrate systems that help an organization achieve its goals.
“This role is not about the bottom line, it’s about the overall strategy of the entire company,” says Jetley. “They also take care of the implementation of the systems.”
Medium plate salert : $128,101, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: New York, NY ($211,773), Austin, Texas ($180,626), Washington, DC ($163,990), according to Indeed.
8. DevOps Engineer
Highest paid companies: Capital One, Boeing, Northrop Grumman
Description: DevOps engineers manage an organization’s IT infrastructure. This role updates and maintains software processes with the goal of fixing bugs and improving the user experience. DevOps engineers focus heavily on automation and coordinate all teams involved in the development of a product.
“These are very technically savvy people who basically manage the entire IT infrastructure,” Jetley says.
Average base salary: $125,152, depending on Indeed.
Best paid locations: Palo Alto, California ($157,688), San Francisco, California ($153,008), Herndon, Virginia ($148,683), according to Indeed.
9. Information security and cybersecurity engineers and architects
Highest paid companies: Capital One, MITER, Honeywell
Description: Information security and cybersecurity engineers and architects are IT professionals who work alongside developers to ensure the security of software, systems, applications and networks.
These roles can also address security risks that organizations face, such as cyberattacks, security incidents, and data breaches. While architects are responsible for designing cybersecurity systems, engineers focus on building and maintaining cybersecurity infrastructure.
“These are people who are at the cutting edge of technology,” Jetley says. “They have to be proactive. They need to be informed about what is happening, new threats emerging, and take steps to mitigate these issues.
Average base salary: $112,619, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: Charlotte, North Carolina ($162,158), Raleigh, North Carolina ($146,450), Washington, DC ($122,770), according to Indeed.
10. Senior Software Engineer
Highest paid companies: Microsoft, USAA, MITER
Description: Lead software engineers lead teams of engineers to create high-quality, scalable software to achieve an organization’s goals. This role develops and tests software; They are also responsible for reviewing code written by other engineers, identifying suitable technology to meet an organization’s needs, and creating architecture for complex software systems.
Average base salary: $111,822, according to Indeed.
Best paid locations: New York, NY ($165,480), Atlanta, Georgia ($157,432), Chicago, Illinois ($147,257), according to Indeed.
Takeaways
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, the computer science field is rewarding for lifelong learners who enjoy solving problems. For those just starting out, it’s a good idea to pursue certifications or a bachelor’s degree related to computer science. Jetley recommends focusing on one specialty.
“Having a general understanding of many specialties, but going deeper into a specialty is essential,” says Jetley. “This requires spending considerable time learning these systems. »
