Computer Salaries & Salary Outlook

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Computer science, information technology, and telecommunication degree programs and careers have exploded in recent years thanks to major advances in hardware, software, and connectivity. Accompanying this increased demand are salary ranges that were unimaginable just ten years ago. Find out how you can take advantage of this explosive growth by completing a computer degree program.

Computer Salaries

Computers have become such a staple of modern business, science, and education that it’s become impossible to say things like, “She works with computers,” without further clarification. Almost everyone works with computers now. Even those who do not specifically study computer science or information technology (IT) often find themselves engaged in routine activities for which advanced IT training and certification are required.

This fact only highlights the exponential growth of computers in our society, the importance of computer degree programs, and how success in tomorrow’s jobs will likely require an even more advanced understanding of hardware, software, and networks. The good news, however, is that training today can potentially translate to high employment demand and favorable salaries tomorrow.

What Do the Experts Predict about Computer Salary Ranges?

According to the US Department of Labor, the general trend for careers requiring completion of a computer degree program tends to be towards rapid growth with salaries to match. The median salary for computer programmers, for example, came in at $74,500 in 2008, while computer software engineers enjoyed a median salary of $94,520, the same year. Even more impressive were computer scientists, earning median salaries of $100,900.

It should be noted that not all industries are expected to offer the same general demand for computer expertise. Manufacturing firms are facing general decline for all occupational fields, largely due to outsourcing and increased international competition from other manufacturing centers. However, computer specialists who work in information, retail, and healthcare can expect demand increases nearly three times the national average for most occupational fields, from 2006 to 2016.

Computer Salaries in the Public Sector

Although salary figures in the public sphere typically lag behind private compensation packages, you often benefit from greater job security and career prospects. Computer experts in specialty public hospitals, for example, can expect a 40 percent increase in demand from 2006 to 2016, which is nearly four times higher than the national average for other occupations. Cyber security positions in the federal government could exhibit even more impressive growth as global terrorism continues to take center stage in national policy debates. Qualifying for these kinds of positions requires completion of a computer degree program, and supplemental training in related fields can only help your prospects.

Careers with Computers: What You Can Do with Your Degree

Although salaries and employment security are obviously major benefits to computer careers, there are other advantages to pursuing this line of work. Because computer technology is so widespread, it is possible to work in almost any industry. Wall Street, for example, employs IT professionals, database administrators, security experts, and programmers on a regular basis. The same can be said of college universities, hospitals, local governments, and even Hollywood. This means that regardless of your specific interests and career aspirations, there is a good chance that computer training at the formal degree level opens doors.
This also means that if one industry starts to slow down (like manufacturing), it is possible to transition to industries exhibiting increased demand for computer expertise. However, in order to enjoy the level of compensation and demand outlined earlier, completion of bachelor’s level computer degree program is necessary. While not always a prerequisite for many computer jobs, advanced formal training can help fast track your career, especially during times of recession.

Stanley Rubenti
Stanely Rubenti is a world traveling writer and editor who has lived in Japan, the US, Thailand, and France. He currently resides in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he offers college admissions advice for international students interested in studying abroad.

Find Computer Schools Near You

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