Types Of IT Jobs: 10 Careers To Explore

IT jobs aren’t just troubleshooting tech support gigs anymore. Work in IT has come a long way, and there are lots of opportunities to find a job that aligns with your specific tech passion.

You can find opportunities to work with technology and also have responsibility for client relationships, project management, accounting, budgeting, or even business-focused work. As these new positions open up, you can get your foot in the door with any number of IT jobs.

IT as a career offers a lot of growth and opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 667,600 new jobs” across the United States.

Key Takeaways:

• Types of jobs in information technology include software development, network administration, and database management.

• Between 2020 and 2030, the career for software developers is expected to increase by 22%, with 409,500 job opportunities added across the U.S.

• Between 2018 and 2028, the information technology specialist career is expected to grow 10% and produce 83,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

• Getting involved in information technology requires developing the necessary skills and experience, such as learning a programming language and being certified to handle specific software or hardware.

Types of IT Jobs

There are a million jobs that fall into the information technology field, so it’s essential to know which ones will suit you best. We’ve pulled together a list of IT jobs so you can get familiar with all of your options.

1. Web developer
   Average Yearly Salary: $72,000

   This is one of the most popular jobs in IT. Web designers are responsible for creating, maintaining, and designing websites so users can have a good experience while browsing a company’s site.

   You might need extra training for web development jobs, like coding or graphic design, so keep an eye on the job requirements sections of applications. Under web development, you’ll find jobs like Front End Developer, Senior Web Administrator, Web Administrator, and Web Developer.

   Job Outlook: Between 2020 and 2030, the career for web developers is expected to increase by 13%, with 25,500 job opportunities added across the U.S.

   Find Web developer jobs near me

2. Software developer
   Average Yearly Salary: $80,000

   Another popular IT job is a software or app developer position. Like web developers, software developers work to create, design, and maintain software (like computer programs) or applications.

   They work mainly with code to create and debug programs, so many jobs look for someone with a Computer Science degree or similar qualification. There’s a big expectation for this field to grow, so it might be a good idea to get into the industry if you love coding.

   If you want to get your foot in the door, look for position titles like Software Developer, Software Engineer, Programmer (or Programmer Analyst), Application Developer, Applications Engineer, Computer Programmer, System Architect, or Systems Software Engineer.

   Job Outlook: Between 2020 and 2030, the career for software developers is expected to increase by 22%, with 409,500 job opportunities added across the U.S.

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3. Computer network jobs
   Average Yearly Salary: $51,000

   Computer network specialists typically oversee computer systems and work to build and maintain them. People in these positions usually have computer science degrees, and even MBA’s since this field tends to deal with business operations as well as tech.

   Look for jobs like Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computer and Information Systems Manager, Computer Network Architect, Computer Systems Analyst, IT Analyst, IT Coordinator, Network Administrator, and Telecommunications Specialist if you’re interested in working with computer networks.

   Job Outlook: Between 2018 and 2028, the computer network specialist career is expected to grow 5% and produce 18,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

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4. Information technology
   Average Yearly Salary: $74,000

   These are the classic IT jobs that started all the others. In these positions, you’ll help companies integrate technology into their workflows and find creative tech solutions to companies’ problems. If this sounds interesting, look for analyst positions like Application Support Analyst, Systems Analyst, or Systems Designer.

   There are also opportunities to jump into management positions here. If you love working with people and tech, looking into jobs like Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Director of Technology, and IT Director might be a good path for you.

   Job Outlook: Between 2018 and 2028, the information technology specialist career is expected to grow 10% and produce 83,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

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5. Information security
   Average Yearly Salary: $86,000

   With everything going digital, there’s a real need to protect online assets. That’s where IT security jobs come in. With these jobs, you’ll help protect a company’s data and other digital information.

   Professionals are predicting significant growth in this area, so it’s a great field to get into. You’ll want to search for jobs with titles like Information Security and Security Specialist for this kind of work.

   Job Outlook: Between 2020 and 2030, the career for information security analysts is expected to increase by 33%, with 47,100 job opportunities added across the U.S.

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6. Computer support
   Average Yearly Salary: $66,000

   Last but not least, we have another traditional IT job: computer support. These are the help desk jobs you think of when you think of IT. You’ll get to be the computer specialist who troubleshoots issues and evaluates network setups to ensure a company is running optimally.

   Keep an eye out for positions like Customer Support Specialist, Desktop Support Manager, IT Support Specialist, Technical Specialist, Technical Support Engineer, and Help Desk Specialist.

   Job Outlook: Between 2020 and 2030, the career for computer support specialists is expected to increase by 9%, with 72,200 job opportunities added across the U.S.

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Other IT Jobs

These are not the only jobs available in IT by any means. There are plenty of other opportunities out there that aren’t as easily categorized and more multi-disciplinary. IT is a vast field, and it’s impossible to write down every position available.

Another great thing about IT jobs is that there are always new ones available. As technology rapidly changes and companies have new needs, there’s plenty of opportunities for new IT jobs to be invented. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t feel immediately drawn to any IT job since the perfect one for you might not become a fully fleshed out position for another year or two. But, it’s always a good idea to get your foot in the door now.

Here are a few more IT jobs for you to look into if you’re unsure what technology field you want to work in.

1. Computer Language-specific
   Average Yearly Salary: N/A

   Sometimes jobs look for candidates who have specific technical knowledge to fill a position. It’s hard to say what your day to day responsibilities will look like, but if you’re especially good at coding in a particular language, you might want to look into these jobs.

   You could get lots of exposure to other work and areas through these jobs, so they’re a great place to start. Some examples include SQL Developer, .NET Developer, and Java Developer.

   Job Outlook: N/A. It varies on the language, however, language specific positions can be stable and in great demand as long as the language itself is still relevant.

2. Cloud computing
   Average Yearly Salary: N/A

   This is a relatively new field in IT since digital clouds have become more popular. In these jobs, you’ll be working with cloud providers and creating systems to maintain information. Some position titles in this area include Cloud Architect, Cloud Consultant, Cloud Product, and Project Manager, Cloud Services Developer, and Cloud Software and Network Engineer.

   Job Outlook: Between 2020 and 2030, the career for network architects is expected to increase by 5%, with 9,000 job opportunities added across the U.S.

3. Database management
   Average Yearly Salary: $74,000

   Another more niche field in IT is database administration. You’ll typically work for large institutions with lots of data to manage, like banks or higher education, and help them create and maintain a usable database. Look for positions like Data Center Support Specialist, Data Quality Manager, and Database Administrator for this field.

   Job Outlook: Between 2018 and 2028, the database management career is expected to grow 30% and produce 14,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

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4. Senior and management positions
   Average Yearly Salary: $119,000

   Most of these jobs we’ve listed are for entry-level IT jobs. It’s a good idea to do some research on senior IT positions, so you know your career offers the potential to move up in the future.

   Keep an eye on which titles include “senior,” “director,” or “manager” in the title, so you have a goal to work toward, unless you already meet the qualifications for these upper-level positions. Think ahead to jobs like Senior Systems Analyst, Senior Security Specialist, Senior Applications Engineer, Cloud Product and Project Manager, and Information Systems Manager.

   Job Outlook: Between 2018 and 2028, the career for senior and management positions is expected to grow 6% and produce 150,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

   Find Senior and management positions jobs near me

Tips for IT Job Searching

Like any other job search, finding a job in IT ultimately comes down to dedication and leveraging your experience. Make sure your resume highlights your best assets and use the right keywords to find appropriate job listings.

There are a few extra things you can do, however, to really shine in the applicant pool. Let’s take a look at a few tips for setting yourself apart from other applicants.

1. Do your research. Good news; step one of landing an IT job is doing your research. You’re off to a good start just by reading through this guide. Before you start applying for jobs, make sure you know what kind of IT job will be best for you.

   Take a look at our list of IT positions and see what feels like a good fit for you. That way, you can leverage your skills, experience, and personality and tailor your application to that position’s requirements.

2. Know your limits. Breaking into any industry can be challenging, whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re switching career paths. Just keep in mind that you may have to look for entry-level jobs when you initially start your IT job-search. These jobs tend to be more general, but you’ll have a chance to test out different aspects of a career in IT, so don’t look at it as a negative. You’ll get an opportunity to try your hand at different things and get some good experience.

3. Leverage your experience. Whether you have work experience in IT or not, you can leverage your work experience and tailor your skills to the positions you’re applying for. Make sure to look closely at the job descriptions and find ways to relate what you’ve done, either in school or in a professional environment, to what the company is asking of you. If you have a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or engineering technology, make sure to mention your relevant coursework.

4. Train yourself. If you can take classes in IT, try to take courses in IT fields that interest you. For example, if you know you want to be in software development, take classes on coding to get you ready. Finding ways to get familiar with the field and its specifics will pay off in the long run.

5. Get passionate. Don’t be afraid to get nerdy and pursue your passions. If you love coding and building websites, try building your resume into a website. Feel free to get creative and bring your passions into your job applications. Employers will appreciate your enthusiasm inside and outside of the office.

Author

Amanda Covaleski

Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.