Key takeaways
- The median annual wage of those working in tech remains over $100,000—double the wage of all occupations in the U.S.
- Despite layoffs over the past two years, tech jobs continue to be in demand.
- For those looking to increase their salaries, constant upskilling is crucial.
If you’re tech savvy, you may be well on your way to earning a six-figure salary.
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Computer and information technology (IT) occupations take home a median annual wage of $104,420—that’s over 2x more than all occupations—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.And, for those with a master’s degree from a top IT school, achieving a much higher salary is likely in your future.
There are more than 5.6 million tech workers in the U.S. alone—and that number is only expected to grow as companies and the world become increasingly digital and require experts to support growing areas like cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics.
3 high-paying information technology jobs and their salaries
| Role | Median total pay | Occupation growth rate, 10-year | Experience level |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT support specialists | $64,000 | 38% | Entry |
| IT project managers | $136,000 | 82% | Mid-level |
| IT directors | $214,000 | 134% | Senior leadership |
| 3 high-paying IT jobs and their salaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IT support specialists | |||
| Median total pay | $64,000 | ||
| Occupation growth rate, 10-year | 38% | ||
| Experience level | Entry | ||
| IT project managers | |||
| Median total pay | $136,000 | ||
| Occupation growth rate, 10-year | 82% | ||
| Experience level | Mid-level | ||
| IT directors | |||
| Median total pay | $214,000 | ||
| Occupation growth rate, 10-year | 134% | ||
| Experience level | Senior leadership | ||
IT support specialists
- Median total pay: $64,000
- 10-year growth: 38%
- Experience level: Entry
- Associated titles: Computer support specialists; IT repair technician
Most companies, no matter their industry, have some sort of IT support specialist—to aid employees across the organization in their technology needs. This includes installing, loaning, and/or training hardware or software, troubleshooting issues both on-site and remotely, and ensuring safe and stable internet connection.
IT project managers
- Median total pay: $136,000
- 10-year growth: 82%
- Experience level: Mid-level
IT project managers are master organizers and help companies keep their technology goals and sprints on track. Their tasks may focus on one particular project, such as hardware or software upgrades, network changes, or website redevelopment. Project managers track projects from start to finish—from idea to execution to conclusion. They may have certifications specifically in IT or project management from organizations like the Project Management Institute.
IT directors
- Median total pay: $214,000
- 10-year growth: 134%
- Experience level: Senior
- Associated titles: Chief technology officer; chief information officer; vice president of technology
IT directors are the leaders of their department and responsible for part or the entirety of their company’s technology. They provide direction for all others in their umbrella, lead company IT policy, and oversee risk assessment and management. Moreover, IT directors have significant administrative tasks, whether that be communicating internally with their team and externally across the company as well as helping in the hiring of others.
Being up to date with new and emerging tech is paramount to their role, since they will play an integrate role in directing future endeavors.
There are countless high-paying jobs in IT and tech space—many of which have varying responsibilities, including those that may duplicate and overlap. It is important when applying to jobs to take a serious look at the description, including responsibilities and requirements. For example, in Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Report, other roles, IT specialists in consulting, hardware, and software are identified—all earning average pay above $130,000.
| Role specialization | Avg. North American compensation (according to Skillsoft) |
|---|---|
| IT Consulting | $133,479 |
| IT Hardware | $139,128 |
| IT Software | $152,463 |
| 3 high-paying IT specializations and their average compensation | |
|---|---|
| IT Consulting | |
| Avg. North American compensation (according to Skillsoft) | $133,479 |
| IT Hardware | |
| Avg. North American compensation (according to Skillsoft) | $139,128 |
| IT Software | |
| Avg. North American compensation (according to Skillsoft) | $152,463 |
3 ways to make more money in IT
Upgrading your skills is key to advancing your career in IT. But instead of waiting for a promotion to come to you, leveraging your passion for a new challenge can demonstrate to current and future employers that you are up to the task.
However with technology constantly changing, upskilling must also remain constant for those who want to remain competitive.
Certifications
For those holding certain IT certifications, average salaries can exceed $200,000, according to Skillsoft.
In particular, those with certifications from top companies, like Google Cloud or AWS, tend to have higher salaries. However, Skillsoft’s research shows that one certification is not enough to make thousands of dollars more. For example, those reaching the top mark of a $200,000 salary, for example, had graduated from Google Cloud’s Professional Cloud Architect program as well as completed eight other certifications.
Many certifications are relatively affordable—costing less than $1,000—compared to a full-on degree and can be completed on a part-time basis, allowing you to learn while keeping your full-time job.
Pro tip
Employers are oftentimes willing to cut a check for and pay in part or full for your upskilling endeavor. Plus, others may also carve time for you to engage in the program. This helps them have an experienced workforce (and costs them less than recruiting new talent).
Degrees
One of the most tried-and-true ways to level up your career is putting a new degree to your name. A degree can especially be a great way to upgrade your career via a slight pivot. For example, if you are just an IT support specialist and are eager to get into cybersecurity, then pursuing a master’s in cybersecurity could be the right move.
Over the last decade, schools have expanded their computer science departments and diversified their learning opportunities to cater to in-demand fields. On top of looking at programs in computer science or cybersecurity, consider getting a master’s in data science or a master’s in AI. Luckily, obtaining any of these tech degrees does not silo you in to one specific area—you’ll likely take classes touching on a variety of topics, allowing you to explore and find truly what’s right for you.
Lastly, if you have your sights set on being a senior IT leader and become your company’s new CIO or CTO, then pursuing an MBA can be a great move. The degree is known for its rigorous curriculum and networking opportunities that eventually translate into career advancement. Some MBA programs have even recently developed more tech-specific courses and concentrations, including in AI.
Side projects
For many people with jobs in the tech world, being tech-involved does not end at 5pm. You can constantly upgrade your portfolio with opportunities that pique your interest—whether that be building your own video game, exploring large language models (LLMs), or beyond.
Simply being in touch with the tech industry can go a long way at your next job interview or discussion around the water cooler. You can explore others’ coding projects on platforms like GitHub or read up on discussions in popular tech-related subreddits, as just two examples.
The takeaway
While it can be easy to compare your salary to those of others, especially nationwide, it is important to consider that every candidate has varying levels of education and professional experience. Plus, the cost of living of individuals may differ drastically; those with a high numerical salary in New York City still may not be taking as much pay as you may expect.
Know that lifelong learning is increasingly becoming the norm, so staying ahead of the game when it comes to education will help you distinguish yourself from the pack. As experts will tell you, while technology may not replace individuals or their roles, those who know how to effectively leverage technology will replace them.
Frequently asked questions
Is information technology well paid?
Yes, those working in information technology generally get paid more than the average pay of all occupations in the U.S. The more education and professional work experience you have, the higher chance you will have a chance at a high-paying job.
What is a good salary in IT?
Any salary above the national average of all occupations—about $48,000—is certainly a good salary. If you have a college degree, work experience, or certifications, having a salary closer to six-figures is certainly on par. However, salary judgment should be baked in the cost of living for your area.
What is the highest paid IT job?
The highest paid IT job is the one at the top: whether it be chief technology officer or chief information officer. The leaders can make several hundred thousands of dollars each year in base salary alone. Looking more broadly, computer information research scientists and software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers tend to make higher salaries than other computer and IT occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Does the IT field pay well?
Yes, the median annual wage of computer and IT occupations was just shy of $105,000 in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That number is over double the median wage of all occupations in the nation, which sits at just above $48,000 annually.
References
Job data sources
- Growth data: CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2024
- Salary data: Glassdoor
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