The future of the IT job market looks bright, if government statistics are accurate. That’s a big “if,” of course, but still, here’s an encouraging fact: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, five of the top ten fastest growing jobs between now and 2014 – across any industry – will be technology jobs.
The Bureau has crunched the numbers (a whole lot of numbers, apparently) and has released data about expected job growth rate, along with median salary and skill set requirements. Here then, based on the infinite wisdom of U.S. government statisticians, are the top five fastest growing tech jobs:
As companies grow, they constantly need to upgrade their computer networks, or install completely new ones. Knowledgeable professionals who understand network architecture – including design, testing, and cost benefit analysis – will be in demand. (Note: according to government statistics, this job is the No. 1 fastest growing position across any industry.)
Job Outlook for Networkng and Data Professionals
The number of computer networks – and the interlocking relationship between these networks – continues to grow rapidly. Network systems and data communications analysts design, evaluate, test and maintain a diverse array of networks, including LANS, WANS, Internet-based networks, intranets, and voice communication and wireless systems. A network might connect offices across continents or offices right down the hall. Conceiving of these networks is complex work, requiring IT professionals who can perform modeling, analysis, and ROI benefit studies.
Salary Information:
Top Industries and What They Pay
College Degrees & Certification Options
Expected growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 48.4%
The voracious hunger for new software applications won’t abate anytime in the foreseeable future. Firms of all sizes will require the services of developers who can write and customize software in response to constantly changing consumer and industrial needs.
Job Description:
Armed with an alphabet soup of programming languages, including C, C++, Java – and several still being developed – the computer software engineer develops application for personal computers, servers, and computer networks. The work is extremely detail oriented; software developers construct code line by line. Yet it is also conceptual and creative, requiring the developer to understand the “big picture” needs of the program. Note: since this work can be done anywhere, this job is vulnerable to offshore outsourcing.
Salary Information:
Top Industries and What They Pay
College Degree & Certification Options
Expected growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 43%
Today’s computer systems are growing obsolete by the minute. Consequently, top systems engineers, experts who can conceive of, build, and maintain networks and data centers, will find plenty of job openings.
Job title: Computer systems software engineer
Job growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 43%
Job Description:
A systems engineer builds a company’s computer system and/or data center, and so must understand the overall needs of the enterprise. The systems they design often encompasses all or part of an enterprise’s inventory, employee communication, billing, and data storage requirements. Systems engineers must build these systems as cost effectively as possible, creating a secure system that allows for future updates.
Salary Information:
Top Industries and What They Pay
College Degree & Certification Options
Expected growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 38.4%
It’ll be a hot job in the future and it’s hot right now: in many tech job banks, “Windows network administrator” is one of the job titles with the most openings.
Job title: Network and computer systems administrator
Job growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 38.4%
Job Description:
It’s safe to say that the entire enterprise relies upon the network administrator. All those humming machines, the big interconnected servers that make everything function – without a skilled and ever-vigilant administrator, it all ceases to function. The employees can’t even send a simple e-mail. Making the administrator’s job that much more complicated: they often have to manage the IT support people who tend to the network.
Salary Information:
Top Industries and What They Pay
College Degree & Certification Options
Expected growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 38.2%
Is there any doubt that the amount of information we store will grow faster than we can keep track of it? As archived information keeps doubling and tripling, the need for database administrators to organize and maintain these storage systems will increase as well.
Job title: Database administrator
Job growth rate between 2004 to 2014: 38.2%
Job Description:
Think of them as the librarian – or rather, the meta-librarian – of the computer age. Database administrators maintain storage systems, running these archival networks with an eye toward maximizing user efficiency. (Indeed, part of a database manager’s job is assisting management and employees with database use.) Administrators monitor their system’s performance constantly. Going forward, security is becoming an increasingly important aspect of database maintenance.
Salary Information:
College Degree & Certification Options
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