Top 5 Tech Careers for 2020
Over the next 10 years, more than half a million new jobs in technology will become available. The information technology industry is expected to grow at a much faster rate than other industries, with employment opportunities increasing by 12% by 2028[1].
There are many career options available in technology. If you’re ready for a change or are looking for a way to advance your career in 2020, consider one of these top five tech jobs.
Web Developer
Without the work of a web developer, you wouldn’t be reading this article online. Web developers create the code that makes websites function. Depending on a person’s preference, a web developer might focus on the “back end” of a site or the “front end.” While the back end controls the site’s function, the front end focuses on its design and appearance.
The median annual salary of a web developer is $69,430[2]. You can become a web developer after earning a career certificate or associate’s degree. Passing certification exams to demonstrate knowledge of languages such as CSS and HTML5 can also help to make you more qualified and help you find a job as a web developer.
Software Developer
While web developers focus on the code that makes websites run, software developers focus on building code that creates applications or that builds the systems on which computers run. Although a bachelor’s degree is often recommended for software developers, usually in computer science, it is possible to find a job without a degree.
If you have experience coding and proof of projects, such as a fun app you built for your friends to install on their iPhones or Android phones, you might be able to land a job as a software developer. It’s definitely a career where demonstrable skill and ability matters more than a college degree. That said, completing courses in computer science and technology can help you boost your skillset.
The median annual salary for software developers is $105,590[3]. As one of the fastest-growing careers in tech, jobs for software developers are expected to increase by 21% by 2028.
Computer Support Specialists
As more and more people get online and use computers, smartphones and other forms of technology, the more they’ll need support and assistance when problems come up. Computer support specialists provide that assistance, both to individual computer and technology users and to enterprise users.
The skills needed by computer support specialists combine technical know-how, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. A support specialist needs to keep cool under pressure, figure out ways to troubleshoot a problem, and learn to recognize and respond to common issues.
Job opportunities for computer support specialists are expected to increase by about 10% by 2028[4]. You can become one by earning a career certificate in enterprise desktop and mobile support technology or in enterprise network and server support technology. Many support specialists are also certified by the technology companies they are providing support for, such as Microsoft and Cisco.
The median salary for computer support specialists is $53,470[4].
Information Security Analyst
Data breaches and the threat of fraud have increased awareness of the importance of security in the tech world. For that reason, one of the fastest-growing tech careers is that of an information security analyst. Opportunities for information security analysts are expected to increase by 32% by 2028[5].
The role of an information security analyst is to protect the private information, computer systems and networks of a company. As hackers continue to find new ways of breaking into systems, security analysts need to constantly be thinking on their feet and trying to stay one step ahead. The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree and some positions require an MBA.
The median salary of an information security analyst is $98,350 per year[5].
Computer Systems Analyst
While information security analysts focus on finding ways to improve a company’s security, computer systems analysts focus on ways to improve a company’s computer systems. Opportunities for computer systems analysts aren’t growing quite as fast as those for information security analysts, but are still expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate by 2028[6].
Many computer systems analysts do have a bachelor’s degree, but a four-year degree isn’t always a requirement. If you have the technical and computer know-how, you might be able to move into a position as a computer systems analyst from another field. The median annual salary for computer systems analysts is $88,740.
If a career in technology seems like the right fit for you, Orange Technical College can help you get there. Take a look at our career certificate programs, learn more about the enrollment process, and request more information today.
Sources:
- “Computer and Information Technology Occupations,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
- “Web Developer,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm
- “Software Developer,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm
- “Computer Support Specialists,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm
- “Information Security Analyst,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-1
- “Computer Systems Analysts,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm