7 IT Career Paths
A career in IT can take many different directions. You might find opportunities in computer support, cybersecurity, data management, cloud computing, and various other fields.
IT skills are in high demand in industries such as healthcare, government, finance, and education, even in smaller cities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 377,500 IT job openings are expected annually. The IT field offers numerous career paths across multiple sectors. An IT professional can specialize in cybersecurity to protect sensitive information, cloud computing to enhance data accessibility, or help desk support to maintain daily operations within an organization.
This article will explore various career paths available in IT. If you're eager to begin, consider enrolling in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate. This program provides a solid foundation in key IT areas, including cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, and databases.
IT Career Paths
Understanding the different career paths available in IT can help you take the right steps as you start your journey in the field.
Not sure where to begin? Many IT professionals start with generalist roles that involve troubleshooting and problem-solving, such as help desk technician or IT associate. While an entry-level IT certification may boost your chances of landing one of these roles, it is not always required. Once you gain experience and develop a clearer understanding of your interests, you can specialize in a more specific IT field. Exploring entry-level IT jobs can also help you discover different career options to match your skills and goals.
Job outlook data is sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the period 2022 to 2032 unless otherwise stated.
*Average annual base salary figures are based on data from Glassdoor as of March 2024.
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1. Computer Support
Many individuals starting their IT career begin in computer support roles, handling various aspects of computer operations. From this entry point, professionals can specialize in a field like cybersecurity or networking, or continue progressing in computer support to reach senior or managerial positions.
Salary: $59,660
Projected job growth: 5%
Early career jobs: IT support technician, desktop support technician, help desk technician, IT associate
Mid-career or senior jobs: Senior help desk support technician, service desk supervisor, support desk manager
Getting started: If you're just beginning, obtaining an entry-level IT certification can help you build the necessary skills to secure a role in computer support.
▶️ View Course: IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
2. Cybersecurity
A career in cybersecurity focuses on protecting computer systems, devices, and sensitive information from malware, unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in IT, with increasing demand for skilled professionals. According to Global Knowledge, cybersecurity and cloud computing are the top two most in-demand IT fields.
Salary: $112,000
Projected job growth: 32%
Early career jobs: Information security analyst, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer
Mid-career or senior jobs: Senior cyber engineer, information security manager, ethical hacker
Getting started: Understanding basic cybersecurity principles is crucial for launching a career in this field. Earning an entry-level certification, such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), can help you build a strong foundation in cybersecurity.
▶️ View Course: Foundations of Cybersecurity
▶️ View Course: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Complete Course & Exam
3. Networks and Systems
Network IT professionals handle network-related tasks and hardware, while systems professionals focus on servers and computer systems. These roles often overlap, especially in smaller organizations where IT professionals need to manage multiple responsibilities. Many start as analysts or administrators and progress to roles like network or systems engineers or architects.
Salary: $90,520
Projected job growth: 2%
Early career jobs: Network administrator, systems administrator, network implementation technician, systems analyst
Mid-career or senior jobs: Network engineer, systems engineer, network security engineer, cloud network engineer, senior systems administrator, computer network architect
Getting started: Several certification options exist for networks and systems, such as the CompTIA Server+ or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Alternatively, starting as a generalist on the IT help desk can provide valuable experience to transition into one of these specialties.
▶️ View Course: The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course. Your CCNA start
▶️ View Course: Cisco CCNA 200-301 – The Complete Guide to Getting Certified
4. Software Development
Software developers, or software engineers, design and create computer programs used for a variety of tasks, such as internet browsing, music streaming, and online communication. This career path offers opportunities in many industries, including finance, gaming, and technology.
Salary: $142,200
Projected job growth: 25%
Jobs: Software engineer, software developer, senior software engineer
Getting started: Learning programming languages commonly used in software development is crucial for securing a job in this field. Consider starting with widely requested languages such as Python, Java, or Ruby.
▶️ View Course: Introduction to Software Engineering
🔷 Read more: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer
5. Web Development
Web developers are responsible for creating and maintaining websites and mobile applications. They can specialize in front-end development (the user interface), back-end development (server-side functionality), or full-stack development, which combines both areas.
Salary: $80,730
Projected job growth: 16%
Jobs: Web developer, web designer, front-end developer, back-end developer, full-stack developer, front-end engineer, back-end engineer, full-stack engineer
Getting started: Whether you’re self-taught or have a degree in computer programming, web development jobs often prioritize relevant experience over credentials. Taking a course in a web programming language—such as Python, JavaScript, CSS, or HTML—can help you get started. From there, try building your own website or application before applying to entry-level jobs.
▶️ View Course: The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp
6. Data
With the increasing prevalence of internet-connected devices, companies have access to vast amounts of data about customers, services, and business operations. While data is not traditionally an IT specialization, the rising demand for data skills makes it an excellent career choice for those seeking IT-related roles. Data professionals may work in hardware and security as data technicians or analyze data to identify patterns and insights as data analysts or scientists.
Salary: $112,120
Projected job growth: 8%
Early career jobs: Data center technician, database administrator, data analyst
Mid-career or senior jobs: Data scientist, data engineer, data architect
Getting started: If you’re interested in becoming a data technician, a background in IT support can be beneficial. For those who prefer working directly with data, obtaining a certification in data analytics—such as the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate or the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate—can help launch a career in this field.
▶️ View Course: Learning Data Analytics: 1 Foundations
7. Cloud Computing
A career in cloud technology generally includes programming on cloud software platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
Salary: $114,917
Projected job growth: 8%
Early career jobs: Cloud engineer, cloud computing programmer
Mid-career or senior jobs: Cloud architect, cloud consultant
Getting started: If you want to break into cloud computing, gaining cloud-specific knowledge is essential. You can earn cloud certifications or take relevant coursework to build your expertise.
▶️ View Course: [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - 2023
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