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Job outlook for application specialists in the United States
Application specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected application specialist job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for application specialists are projected over the next decade.
Application specialist salaries have increased 9% for application specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 12,577 application specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 96,980 active application specialist job openings in the US.
The average application specialist salary is $84,635.
Are application specialist jobs in demand?
Application specialist job and salary trends over time
Application specialist jobs over time
Application specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,577 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 19,114 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 10,706 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,592 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,389 | 0.00% |
Average application specialist salary over time
Application specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,635 | $40.69 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $81,846 | $39.35 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $79,993 | $38.46 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $78,785 | $37.88 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $77,499 | $37.26 | +1.6% |
Application specialist jobs by state
Most common states for application specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 543 | 78% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 212 | 28% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 167 | 27% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 443 | 23% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 248 | 23% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 242 | 23% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 192 | 22% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,436 | 21% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 206 | 21% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 155 | 21% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 122 | 21% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,652 | 20% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 628 | 20% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 273 | 20% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,138 | 19% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 771 | 19% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 973 | 17% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 547 | 17% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 231 | 17% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,600 | 16% |
Most common cities for application specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Charles | 8 | 24% | $76,509 |
| 2 | DeKalb | 9 | 21% | $75,776 |
| 3 | Buffalo Grove | 8 | 19% | $77,590 |
| 4 | Plainfield | 8 | 19% | $76,035 |
| 5 | Downers Grove | 9 | 18% | $76,785 |
| 6 | Tinley Park | 8 | 14% | $76,782 |
| 7 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $89,926 |
| 8 | Joliet | 8 | 5% | $76,087 |
| 9 | Naperville | 8 | 5% | $76,540 |
| 10 | Aurora | 8 | 4% | $76,249 |
| 11 | Lansing | 5 | 4% | $80,138 |
| 12 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $95,199 |
| 13 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $90,471 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $75,520 |
| 15 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $77,427 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $85,953 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $70,070 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $71,675 |
Application Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of application specialist experts
UMass Lowell
Merrimack College
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
University of Washington
University of Southern Maine
Belmont University
Western Kentucky University
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Coastal Carolina University
Drexel University
Molloy College
New Jersey Institute of Technology
San Francisco State University
Wake Forest University
Christopher Newport University
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Remember that your first job does not define your career. You may build a career around that first job or you may use it as a valuable learning experience to change careers at some point. Eventually, what we call our careers are only really seen in hindsight. They are part of a narrative we construct about ourselves. So, don't worry to much about whether you are on the 'right path'. The right path is the one you chose at the time given the constraints and alternatives before you. But make the most of every opportunity you can to learn more about yourself - what you like, what you don't like, and what you find fulfilling about your work.
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Melissa Zimdars: To remember that you're going to learn a lot on the job and that failure is part of the learning process. It's okay to ask questions and to not know things, but you must be willing to take feedback, adjust, and grow.
Fawen Zhang PhD
Professor of AudiologyUniversity of Cincinnati Clermont College
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Victor Menaldo: Interacting with AI and knowing how to best exploit it to get the most out of it: increase productivity and value added in whatever field one is in.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen believes that the skills that will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years are...
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Over the next five years, the expanding landscape of Big Data facilitated via Information Systems will continue to play a major role in the structure of how Smart Systems are created and maintained. As a result, having skills that will allow for effectively accessing, modifying, analyzing, storing and securing data is key. The integration of these skills are strengths that will support fields under the umbrella of computer science and data science that expand into machine learning, natural language processing and the Internet of Things (IoT) concepts.
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.
ProfessorJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Being able to negotiate a salary is also a skill that students need to learn and one that is rarely taught in college. Students need to be able to ask for more than they are offered, but also take jobs at entry levels, prove themselves and then ask for an increase in pay six months into the job after they have shown that they are doing the work and achieving their goals.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: My advice to anyone graduating in any field is to think about the skills they have acquired in college and to represent them well on their resume. If students have been trained in quantitative or qualitative research methods, they should be able to talk cogently about the types of analysis they can do for businesses, policymakers and the like. They should also be open to any field when they are first starting out. Today, businesses are interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and because many of these programs are not perfect, well-trained students in Ethnic, Gender And Minority Studies--as well as related fields like Cultural Anthropology-- are well positioned to take entry level jobs and critically analyze programs and implement them in justice-oriented ways.
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: Look for a unionized job, preferably in a large institution where there is room for job growth. For students trained in linguistics, there are also often opportunities to work in tech, so this might be something to explore.
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to be open to considering jobs in lots of different fields. The skills acquired through their major- such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing- are ones that transfer well to a variety of situations.
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Ask questions, stay curious and open minded, take opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
Mark Chandler
Director of Government Relations and Professor of PracticeCoastal Carolina University
Intelligence, Command Control And Information Operations
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Mark Chandler: If you go into the government, you will be limited to the standard government salary. If you go into the private sector, you will start on a lower pay scale (without experience), but have the potential to exceed the government pay structure a few years into you career. Higher education will provide assistance a few years after graduation (with a BA), but won’t result in significant salary bumps. The more experience you gain, the more marketable you become.
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Stehr PhD: At the start of your career, it's very important to land a role where you learn a lot and find good mentors. The additional skills will pay dividends as your career progresses.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Michael Rosino PhD: One thing that I always emphasize to students is to confidently craft your story when applying for jobs and preparing materials. While it may feel uncomfortable to come off as confident, it is important not to downplay your skills and experience. So, my advice is to think deeply about why you would be a good fit for each job and to highlight the concrete skills and experiences you have gained - especially in terms of topical background, technical acumen with specific software or methodologies or research/writing skills. Secondly, I suggest looking at which fields are in high demand. While it is not always possible because people may have geographic constraints, considering as many wide opportunities in all kinds of places can also be beneficial. Two other pieces of advice which may be more relevant to those a bit further on would be to negotiate when you are offered a mid-level or professional job and to ask for benefits and salary and to consider going back to gain additional education such as a Master's degree to qualify for higher-paying and more prestigious jobs.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Mary Rodena-Krasan Ph.D.: A degree in German Studies is extraordinarily flexible, giving you a skill set that makes you suitable to a variety of fields. Be open to every opportunity and never underestimate the skill sets learning a new language has afforded you - cross-cultural competence, interlinguistic technological adeptness, problem solving, information analysis, and critical thinking. Employers want someone they don't have to hand-hold. Studying a foreign language requires a lot of self-initiative - apply that to every assignment at the job and don't be afraid to suggest approaches! Your ability to undertake something new and be successful has already been proven by your German studies degree!
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
Michael Smullen: Make yourself uncomfortable. Early graduates find success later on by seeking out numerous challenges: how to respectfully ask questions in a business setting, how to cultivate personal and professional confidence, how to create or expand their professional network, how to chart a course for their career and personal aspirations, and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Each of these demands stepping beyond one's comfort zone and engaging in unfamiliar actions. It's not merely about setting intentions; it entails embracing novel experiences solely for the sake of growth. Whether it's attending a seminar on home-buying or participating in a networking event, reaching out to a manager for guidance on enhancing value, or reflecting deeply on personal fulfillment, pushing oneself through discomfort will foster mental agility and resilience. Recent graduates should pay close attention to the danger complacency may signify overlooking crucial opportunities that could lead to future regret.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Shea Ph.D.: Data analytics and visualization (already important but will likely increase)
Effective use of AI technologies
Ability to develop and evaluate meaningful and robust programs and policies that center equity in ways that recognize intersectionality and multiple dimensions of equity
What Application Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Evans: Don't stop learning. Treat your first job like more graduate school. Learn everything you can.
What will help Application Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
What general advice would you give to an Application Specialist?
William Donaldson Ph.D.: First, attend to the basics - show up on time, be respectful, responsible, reliable, and resourceful. Learn and respect the culture and norms of the company. Next learn your job, the expectations, deliverables, and traditions. Next excel at those and start looking for other opportunities and responsibilities. Finally, use your young eyes and familiarity with generational changes to add value. If you have a particular skill-set or affinity that is needed, step up and provide it and mentor others. In short, first be a great follower and look to grow into a leader.