Reading text

The Business Matters, IT Jobs and Duties

IT Job Description: Roles, Requirements, and Outlook

Learn what to expect in an IT job description, including job requirements, the future outlook for jobs in IT, salary expectations, and growth potential.

Information technology (IT) is one of the world's fastest-growing industries and offers various opportunities for advancement and high-paying jobs. Skilled IT workers find work in nearly every industry, giving you the option to pursue a position in an industry youΓÇÖre most interested in. Understanding the different roles and qualifications within IT can help you plan your next steps to find a position that suits you. 

What is an IT job?

An IT job can range from an IT support specialist, project manager, or software designer. Positions in this field cover a broad variety of roles that can vary depending on the company. An IT position generally involves managing and storing data using computers, software, databases, networks, and servers. As an IT professional, you may write programs, maintain networks, analyze systems, and provide technical support.

IT job outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that IT jobs are expected to grow 15 percent in this decade, with over 680,000 new jobs by 2031, a growth rate faster than other industries [1]. The average median salary for IT workers in 2021 was $97,430. If you're considering a career in IT, now may be an ideal time to start working toward one.

14 IT roles and salaries

When you think about information technology roles, you may envision role-based technician positions, like software developer, coder, and website administrator. However, positions in the industry include much more. The list below shows that IT job titles are as varied as the types of jobs available in the industry.

*Note: The salary information below was sourced from Glassdoor in August 2023. Figures represent base salary and average annual additional pay. Additional pay may include commissions, bonuses, or profit-sharing.

1. Applications engineer. Average annual salary (US): $121,335. An applications engineer builds software architecture, optimizes existing systems, and supports clients using their programs.
2. Computer programmer. Average annual salary (US): $91,255. A computer  programmer writes, tests, and modifies code used by computers to operate software and complete specific tasks.
3. Computer scientist. Average annual salary (US): $153,146. A computer scientist may take on various roles; they apply theory to develop computer systems, build databases, work with programming languages, and more.
4. Data quality manager. Average annual salary (US): $124,419. Data quality managers work with every department in a company to efficiently recognize gaps in data quality and maintain the correct and accurate use of data.
5. Data scientis. Average annual salary (US): $152,253, A data scientist develops predictive models to identify trends in data and forecast different business outcomes.
6. IT coordinator. Average annual salary (US): $63,858. An IT coordinator maintains the technology used by a company. They may need to troubleshoot errors, manage servers, build databases, and purchase equipment. 
7. IT director. Average annual salary (US): $210,699. An IT director manages a companyΓÇÖs IT professionals, technical operations, and may also track how they work to increase efficiency and minimize risk. 
8. IT security specialist. Average annual salary (US): $133,267. IT security specialists protect confidential information by monitoring anti-virus protection systems, encrypting data, and creating firewalls. 
9. Network engineer. Average annual salary (US): $100,285. Network engineers design infrastructure systems and improve existing network systems within a company.
10.  Quality assurance tester. Average annual salary (US): $60,894. A quality assurance tester attempts to identify gaps or errors in software by conducting manual and automated tests to simulate different scenarios on the software.
11.  Software engineer. Average annual salary (US): $139,696. Software engineers create computer systems and design applications to meet specific needs or solve real-world problems.
12.  Support specialist. Average annual salary (US): $48,121. A support specialist works alongside administrative and technical support to resolve customer concerns directly or refer them to the appropriate department.
13.  User experience designer. Average annual salary (US): $99,106. A user experience designer helps developers create programs and websites that are accessible for people and easy to use. 
14.  Web administrator. Average annual salary (US): $64,509. A web administrator manages the company website to optimize its performance and increase its online visibility. 

Job duties and responsibilities of IT professionals
The key job duties of IT professionals typically include creating new computer systems, networks, and applications or finding software errors through troubleshooting. Many of them can be involved in various tasks depending on their roles and the company's needs.

General skills to build for IT job roles 
Beyond having technical skills, such as programming, IT professionals and employers look for workplace skills like communication since technical skills are learnable through hands-on work. Having a balanced set of both types of skills can make you an attractive applicant for IT roles. Here are some technical and workplace skills to consider building as you prepare for a career in IT. 

IT education requirements 

As an IT worker, you can expect to work with computer-based information systems, software, and hardware, typically by designing, developing, and managing them. Everyday responsibilities can include: 

1. Identifying technical problems 

2. Deploying the appropriate IT solutions to solve problems 

3. Designing computer-based systems or programs

4. Identifying user needs with technology 

Technical skills
Computer literacy : As an IT professional, youΓÇÖll spend a lot of time using computers, so understanding how to operate it and its basic functions is necessary.

Coding: Many IT roles require coding knowledge in various programming languages, depending on your specific role. You may help code or develop new software and applications for your company.

Application development: Having experience with application development can help you to understand the back-end of the software youΓÇÖre using. You may find this helpful in creating new software or applications and monitoring computer systems. 

 Workplace skills

Analytical: Analytical skills like critical thinking can help you identify and solve technology-related issues. For example, you may need to assess the status and identify computer system and application errors.

Communication: YouΓÇÖll communicate with various teams within your organization as an IT professional. This includes explaining technical concepts in a way that others can understand. 

Organization: In an IT role, youΓÇÖll be tasked with multiple duties or projects at once, making organization a critical skill for success. With proper organization, your efficiency and productivity at work will drastically increase. 

Problem-solving: Troubleshooting problems with the technology systems in your company can be difficult and confusing, so having advanced problem-solving techniques can lead you to be an effective team member. 

Time management: IT professionals often have time-sensitive tasks with hard deadlines. ItΓÇÖs crucial to prioritize your time, designate tasks when needed, and complete projects correctly by their deadlines. 

Many IT jobs require that you have an associate or bachelor's degree. You can attain a degree in various fields to qualify for IT roles, such as information technology, computer science, or computer engineering. Some common courses youΓÇÖll take to help prepare you for an IT career include statistics, calculus, data networking, and information security. Some employers also except relevant experience and certifications in lieu of a college degree.

To better position yourself to reach senior-level positions, you can choose to pursue a masterΓÇÖs degree in any relevant field of study. While hands-on experience in the IT field will help you to become an attractive candidate for higher-level IT roles, an advanced degree can be an essential asset to prove your expertise and dedication to your work.