
Owing to the technical expertise and skills required in computer related jobs, professionals working in these fields earn good salaries. These careers can be broadly classified into hardware and software jobs. But there are also others which are not into core IT but are very much related to computers. If you are planning to take up a computer related job, read on…
The last decade saw many ups and downs in the job market and the economy at large. In the early and mid years of the last decade, computer related jobs were the hottest in the industry. But the economic recession had a negative impact on the IT sector. However, a good thing is that IT jobs are back in full force and in demand again. Since computers are being used in almost every industry, there are many avenues for IT professionals to explore. This has also led to the evolution of new careers in IT, apart from conventional software and hardware jobs. There are some professionals who even provide consulting services to clients. A point to note is that a majority of these professions have an average salary of above $60,000 per annum, an amount which is counted in the high-paying scale. Note that to excel in these jobs, one needs to be willing to get his knowledge upgraded with latest technologies, concepts, and theories relating to his area of expertise. Training and certifications can surely help individuals become adept in their jobs.
Best Computer Related Careers List
Profession | Profile |
Software Engineer | Software engineering is probably the most popular career in the IT industry. The primary job of this professional is to design and develop software which can be used for different purposes. They are well versed with IT terminologies, SDLC, software upgrades, troubleshooting, and other concepts in software development. The criterion for entry in this field is a diploma, certification, or bachelor’s in software engineering, or experience as an entry-level computer programmer. As of now, these engineers can get a median income of about $90,000 per year. |
Technical Writer | This position has recently received impetus in the job industry. The need for technical writers has increased due to advancements in technology which we all are not aware of. The fundamental role of a technical writer is to make help guides about a new software or technology. The job includes helping users understand in simple words, how to use an application or gadget. These documentation professionals are required in IT companies which release software products. They are also required for writing user manuals for products and help guidelines for web applications and software. Aspiring candidates in this area need to have excellent written communication skills and they are also expected to be adept in using utilities like FrameMaker, PageMaker, Corel Draw, RoboHelp, DreamWeaver, Cold Fusion, and other documentation software like these. These documentation experts make about $70,000 per annum on an average. |
Computer Hardware Engineer | As the name suggests, a hardware engineer is a person who does the job of installing and troubleshooting hardware components of a system. He has to deal with a wide range of hardware parts such as motherboards, printers, scanners, hard drives, system chips, connections, modems, and other equipment. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in computer hardware engineering is required to enter in this area, but is not mandatory though. Even a small-duration course in computer installation and hardware basics and a little amount of practical experience can help you get a job as a hardware engineer. The average pay for this post is reported to be $95,000 approximately. |
Technical Support Specialist | Since computer systems are used in almost every company, there are possibilities of technical issues springing. In order to solve these problems, technical support personnel are needed. Technical support executives are the first point of contact for users facing problems with the systems. Usually, they work under the supervision of hardware and network engineers. Be it a problem with a PC, printer, scanner, web, or servers; they receive complaints from users, try to troubleshoot the problem, and inform the IT team if not resolved. You need to know the basics of computer systems and have good written and verbal skills to get into this entry-level job. The median pay for this career is estimated to be about $60,000 per year. |
Ethical Hacker | This is a recently developed job profile in the corporate world. Companies want their systems to be safe from hackers, to protect valuable data. In an attempt to do so, they hire people referred to as ethical hackers. Ethical hackers are believed to be masters in the field of computers. They use their knowledge and skills to develop security systems for the company to be secure from all kinds of online threats and risks to critical data. Becoming a hacker is not very easy. This job requires you to be proficient in all the latest technologies of data access and security, you need to be a computer and networking geek to be a successful ethical hacker. The average salary scale for this job comes to about $100,000 per annum. |
Computer Programmer | Computer programmers are specialists who carry out the core coding of applications and software. They primarily work on the design and software blueprint prepared by software engineers. To prepare a software application, a programmer may need to use a variety of languages such as C++, Java, Python, PHP, Visual Basic, VBScript, and the list goes on. You can become a programmer by practicing coding and application development and gain expertise in one or some of the programming languages most widely used. Formal education for a career in software development includes diplomas, trainings, and certifications. A programmer may receive a yearly remuneration of about $80,000. |
Web Designer | The Internet is growing day by day, which is creating a need for management and administration of websites and online databases. A web designer or developer has the responsibility of using programming languages to design online web pages and modules. Along with being a coding specialist, he is also required to be creative. The most popular and useful languages used for this are HTML, XML, XHTML, JSP, Perl, and so on. Along with all these languages, a web designer also needs to possess skills in 3D animation and graphics. You can learn these skills by taking up a course in web designing and development. Coming to the median salary, a web designer can earn around $75,000 on a yearly basis. |
IT Director/ Chief Information Officer (CIO) | A CIO or an IT director is a top-level post in the management of a large organization. He is handed over the duty of managing IT functions and the department as a whole. He oversees the work of all personnel in the core IT and technical support departments. He has to make sure that the latest technology is being incorporated in the company and the organization is functioning at its best. He manages areas like IT infrastructure, mobile communication, voice and data systems, business intelligence, ERPs, etc. To work as an IT director, you need to possess educational qualifications such as Master’s in Business Administration in IT or Master’s of Science in Management, backed up with years of experience in any IT domain. Since this is a senior-level managerial position, the median pay goes over $100,000 per annum. |
Games Designer and Developer | The PC gaming industry is also a flourishing field in the computer industry at present. Game designers and developers are experts who are involved in the designing and development of gaming projects. They are actually application programmers who work exclusively in the gaming development domain. Typical work includes design planning, arts and animation implementation, project specifics (levels, color, characters, audio, etc.), coding, testing, and many other tasks. Requirements for this job basically include programming skills, logical thinking abilities, and creativity. A game designer earns an annual median income of about $80,000. |
Database Administrator (DBA) | Almost all companies have computer data to be stored and retrieved back. Owing to this, companies incorporate huge databases which are connected to the computer systems for access. Here, the maintenance of such databases becomes necessary, which is when a database administrator is called in. The main task of this personnel is to look after data security, data backup, and overall data management systems of the company. The educational requirement for working as a junior-level DBA is to hold an undergraduate degree in computer science or Management Information Systems (MIS). With a median per annum salary of $80,000 roughly, this is a lucrative IT job. |
Network Administrator | Networks are a vital part of an IT system in any company, thus making network administration one of those computer careers in good demand. Just as DBAs work on databases, network admins look after the network. Network administrators are technicians who manage the networking of computer systems in a particular setting. They have to work on LAN, WAN, routers, Internet, VPNs, FTP servers, remote access servers, and other networking technologies. Any training which involves the study of computer systems and communication networks will be helpful for this career. Besides, there is a wide range of certifications being offered for computer network specialists by Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, Novell, and other notable IT giants. The average earning of network engineers falls between $80,000 and $85,000 per annum. |
Systems Analyst | Systems analysts in the IT sector are people who help companies have a computer system set up. They help in the purchase of IT systems and applications, and manage the organization of the whole setup. They may even modify the current IT infrastructure to increase system performance. A systems analyst may guide programmers to create a system suitable to be used by the company as per the type of business. To be hired as a systems analyst, the basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree in computer science or more preferably an MBA in IT. Systems analysts may earn an income of about $87,000 per annum, if not more. |
Computer Scientist | This is one career in the IT sector which demands a substantial amount of research and education. A computer scientist is proficient in computer science concepts such as software development theories, data flow structure, computing algorithms, programming languages, and similar others. The main job of these scientists is to devise theories which can further lead to technology developments. A large number of computer scientist jobs demand higher educational qualifications, like a Ph.D. in computer science or computer engineering. Computer scientists are believed to get a pay of approximately $80,000 on a per annum basis. |
Software Tester | The services of software testing are required just after the development of a software. After developers make an application, they hand it over to software testers, who, using special techniques, run several tests on the application to see if it’s working as expected. The main aim of testing is to make the software free from all types of faults and better its overall performance. There are many short courses in software testing that you can pursue to get a software tester’s job. This is one relatively easy way to enter the IT industry. The median salary for this career is considered to be about $75,000 annually. |
Computer Forensic Analyst | Nowadays, the computer technology is being used for many illegal activities. A computer forensic analyst is a specialist who finds and processes digital data found in computing devices such as hard drives, CDs and DVDs, servers and databases, IP addresses, etc. The results can really be useful in finding out all details about a criminal activity and in presenting proofs in the court of law. Aspirants for this profession should possess a degree in computer networking, Internet security, cyber law, ethical hacking, or another related field. These experts can expect to be paid around $85,000 per year on an average scale. |
IT Recruiter | An IT recruiter is a person working in the Human Resources department of an IT company. He may work for third-party recruitment agencies as well. His main job is to hunt for candidates who possess exact skills required to fill in a technical position in a project. In a majority of multinational IT companies, technical recruiters have incentives if their candidates are selected by the client for a project. This is what makes this job all the more challenging and exciting. The requirements for an IT recruiter are, a degree in human resources and an understanding of current demands for projects in the IT industry. Technical recruiters normally draw a basic salary of about $75,000 per annum. |
IT Sales and Marketing Executive | This is a sector that is concerned with marketing, but of IT products and services. Software companies are in search of clients and projects. IT marketers are people who serve as liaison between potential clients and the company. They approach potential clients and inform them about the services available such as software development, ERP implementations, web designing, Internet advertising, IT consulting, and so on. A degree in marketing is what you basically need for becoming an IT marketing executive. The average yearly salary is reported to be around $60,000, leaving the performance incentives. |
There are many other different IT jobs which have been developed due to an increased demand for services and computer technology. There is a wide range of choices for those who are planning to work in the IT field. When it comes to these kinds of jobs, certifications prove to be a lot beneficial, thus increasing income prospects considerably.