What Is the Current Salary Range in the IT Industry? How Can IT Certifications Increase This Rate?
According to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the IT jobs are expected to grow by about 12% in the next 10 years, while some others will grow by about 32%. If you are currently working in the IT field or planning to take up a job role in the industry, you can be sure that you will find a lucrative career path.
Thus, if you are new to the field, you should consider taking up an entry-level job role to launch your career. To increase your opportunities, you have to pursue an IT certification. With this, you can stand in a better chance to earn an IT Help Desk salary. In this post, we will look at the salary range of the entry-level professionals and even more.
Maximum Salary Range for Entry-Level Specialists
You can build a stable career in the IT industry and enjoy excellent IT payright from the start of your career. Obtaining a certification will enhance your opportunities, so you can easily get your first job with it. With the right certificate, you are able to get an IT Support Specialist salary or work as a Programmer. Let’s look at some of the options that offer great payment in the IT sector.
- Computer Programmer: $48,790
This entry-level specialist can earn the average annual salary of $48,790 and even up to $134,630 with some level of experience. As a Programmer, you need to understand programming languages, such as Java, C++, and others. You can earn the certificates, such as Oracle Certified Associate (OCA): Java Programmer, MTA: Software Development Fundamentals, CIW: Web Design Professional, or MTA: HTML5 App Development Fundamentals, to gain this knowledge. You will be required to write and test code for software applications and computers. If you are looking to launch a career in the IT realm, this job role is a great place to start and you can expect to earn a good entry-level IT salary.
- Computer Support Specialist: $38,270
The average annual salary for these specialists is $38,270. The experienced professionals can earn up to $105,770 (on average $62,770). This job role is expected to grow in demand by about 10%, which makes it a reliable career option for the entry-level individuals. This is why the certifications, such as CompTIA A+, ITIL Foundation, Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate, and HDI Customer Service Representative (HDI-CSR), are now popular among the IT specialists.
The title of a Computer Support Specialist includes network and system management. The individuals in this position are also responsible for testing and evaluating existing networks, troubleshooting network systems, and performing regular maintenance services. You can apply for a job at a computer design firm or educational organization. This option has great prospects, making it one of the highest paying jobs in the industry.
- Web Developer: $37,930
As an entry-level professional with the Google Analytics Individual Qualification, Google AdWords, MTA: HTML5 Application Development Fundamentals, or Zend Certified PHP Engineer certifications, you can expect to earn an average of $37,930 per year. Your tasks include designing and creating websites. It is expected that the demand for the Web Developers will grow by about 13% within the next eight years, which makes it a lucrative option for those looking to start a career in the IT sector. As you grow your career in this field, you can get up to $124,480 as a Web Developer. Thus, it can be considered one of the best IT salary options you can have.
Maximum Salary Range for Advanced-Level Professionals
As for the experienced professionals, there are many jobs they can explore that pay exceptionally well in the IT industry. With some certifications and experience, you can improve your chance of even earning an IT Director salary. So, let’s look at the salary range for the advanced-level specialists.
- IT Project Manager: $142,530
These professionals are also known as Computer & Information Systems Managers. They are the experienced specialists with the job role of determining the IT goals and creating strategies to meet them. They generate long-term solutions, organize operation phases, and delegate assignments. They usually hold the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), CompTIA Project+, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications before they opt for this option. An IT Project Manager salary is $142,530 and the number of positions is expected to grow by about 11% over the coming years.
- Computer and Information Research Scientist: $118,370
These specialists are at the forefront of the IT sector. They design and create novel ways to utilize computing technologies. These individuals are engaged in researching techniques and developing new directions for computers and software. They have a master’s degree and focus on complex problems to develop new technology techniques that will be valuable to different industries, including scientific and medical fields, as well as the business industry. The average salary for this position is $118,370 and the options to opt for are expected to grow by about 16%.
- Computer Hardware Engineer: $114,600
It is one of the highest paying IT jobsin the world with an average salary of $114,600 and over 64,000 open positions. The Computer Hardware Engineers work directly with physical computer components, including circuit boards, processors, routers, and memory chips. Although they don’t work on software development and code on a regular basis, they have the job role of testing completed models of equipment with the use of existing programs or software to develop new hardware features and functions. These professionals should have the certifications, such as Cisco Certified Technician (CCT), CompTIA Server+, BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD), and Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT).
Conclusion
The IT field is a highly lucrative sector with new positions being created regularly. You can find some of the best paying IT jobswith the appropriate certificates. Therefore, in order to boost your earning potential, you should consider obtaining one or two certifications to get started in the industry.