Top 10 Information Technology Jobs You Want In 2022
From information security analysts and software developers to computer network architects and data scientists, here are the top ten technology jobs in 2022 according to the new U.S. News & World Report “best jobs” list.
The 10 Tech Jobs In 2022 You Need To Know About
The rankings are out for the best technology jobs in 2022 based on the new U.S. News & World Report “best jobs” list with many high-paying IT jobs with low unemployment rates making the cut.
Technology jobs that cracked into the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Jobs list include computer network architects, database administrators, web developers and data scientists, while software developers and information security analysts led the pack.
The report ranks the best tech jobs based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as several measuring components such as median salary, unemployment rate, future job prospects and work-life balance.
CRN breaks down the top 10 best technology jobs of 2022 based off the new 2022 “best jobs” list from U.S. News & World Report.
10. Computer Support Specialist
Median Salary: $52,590
Projected Jobs: 58,000
As organizations upgrade outdated hardware, software and network equipment—and require more knowledgeable professionals to respond to questions from users— computer support specialists are in high demand in 2022.
Computer support specialists help with log-in difficulties, operating system and software malfunctions while some even need to physically fix laptops or PCs. Aside from responding to and solving issues in a timely manner, network support specialists troubleshoot an organizations’ network computer system to solve problems and provide regular maintenance.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.9 percent employment growth for computer support specialists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 58,000 tech jobs for computing support specialist are expected to become available.
Computer support specialists made a median salary of $52,690 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $68,500 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $40,730.
9. Computer Systems Administrator
Median Salary: $84,810
Projected Jobs: 18,800
A network and computer systems administrator maintains an organization’s workflow and keeps its lines of communication open. In a single day, computer systems administrators may encounter stacks of servers, dozens of crisscrossing network cables, and malfunctions with the hardware and software that runs the company’s local and wide area networks.
With low unemployment rates, the in-demand profession is expected to grow as employers invest in new technology and faster mobile networks. More administrators will also be needed to implement upgraded security measures.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.4 percent employment growth for computer systems administrators between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 18,800 jobs are expected to become available.
Computer systems administrators made a median salary of $84,810 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $107,610 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $66,340.
8. Computer Network Architect
Median Salary: $116,780
Projected Jobs: 9,000
As companies expand their IT networks, they’ll increasingly rely on computer network architects to build new networks and upgrade existing ones. The popularity of cloud computing is also expected to drive job demand for the high-paying tech position.
Computer network architects design, build and maintain a variety of data communication networks, with a deep understanding of the company’s business plans and objectives. They also need business skills to do everything from budgeting the network design and implementation, to managing a staff.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.5 percent employment growth for computer network architects between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 9,000 jobs should open up.
Computer network architects made a median salary of $116,780 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $147,480 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $88,120.
7. Database Administrator
Median Salary: $98,860
Projected Jobs: 13,200
Database administrators are relied on as the guardians of critical and important data, while also implementing security measures to make sure sensitive data doesn’t fall into the wrong and managing the databases.
Database administrators set up databases and make sure they operate efficiently for a company, while also fine-turning and upgrading the databases as needed. These professionals are employed in a wide range of settings in the public and private sectors, while some work as consultants to organizations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.8 percent employment growth for database administrators between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 13,200 tech jobs for database administrators are expected to become available.
Database administrators made a median salary of $98,860 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $126,890 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $71,900.
6. Web Developer
Median Salary: $77,200
Projected Jobs: 25,500
Web developers are responsible for creating websites. Although some web developers design a website’s front and back end, many web development companies split these responsibilities. For example, some web developers will work in Photoshop to create the overall design, while others will be in charge of writing the code in programming languages such as HTML and CSS.
Work environments for web developers vary from large corporations or governments to small businesses. Developers may be full-time employees or part-time consultants, or work on a contract basis as freelancers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.8 percent employment growth for web developers between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 25,500 jobs should open up.
Web developers generated a median salary of $77,200 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $107,620 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $55,390.
No. 5: Computer Systems Analyst
Median Salary: $93,730
Projected Jobs: 42,800
Computer systems analysts leverage their knowledge of information technology and business to design better computer systems and processes for organizations. These analysts understand their client’s business, learn how the organization uses technology, and researches the best technologies to help the organization’s overall IT environment run more efficiently and effectively. They also prepare a cost and benefits analysis for upgrades, oversee installations and train employees.
Many analysts work for computer systems design firms, but they’re also employed by a host of industries that range from science to health care to banking and finance.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.0 percent employment growth for computer systems analysts between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 42,800 jobs are expected to become available.
Computer systems analysts made a median salary of $93,730 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $120,890 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $72,030.
4. IT Manager
Median Salary: $151,150
Projected Jobs: 52,700
Almost all organizations need IT managers who help organizations navigate the ever-changing modern technology landscape. These managers provide short- and long-term visions for the company’s technology needs and goals, while also coordinating with top executives on upgrades as well as negotiating with vendors.
The rapidly growing health care industry is also expected to greatly increase its IT use, resulting in newly created positions. The main drivers of this growth will be organizations upgrading their IT systems to newer, faster networks and striving to avoid cybersecurity threats.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.9 percent employment growth for it managers between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 52,700 jobs should open up.
IT managers made a median salary of $151,150 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $191,470 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $116,990.
3. Data Scientist
Median Salary: $98,230
Projected Jobs: 19,800
Data scientists use technology to gain insights from large amounts of collected data. It requires statistics, quantitative reasoning and computer programming skills.
While data science is still a new career field, employers are increasingly recognizing the value of these professionals with this expertise. Data scientists are currently being hired at a range of organizations including tech startups, government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and research institutions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 31.4 percent employment growth for data scientists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 19,800 jobs are expected to become available.
Data Scientists made a median salary of $98,230 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $130,370 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $71,790.
2. Software Developer
Median Salary: $110,140
Projected Jobs: 409,500
Not only did software developers rank No. 2 in U.S. News & World Report’s best technology jobs segment, but ranks No. 5 in the report’s overall Best Jobs in 2022 regardless of industry. The report dubs software developers as “the masterminds behind the technologies you now can’t imagine living without.”
Software developers are the creators and have the technical expertise to carry out innovative ideas. Their work ranges from starting a client project from scratch and writing new code and improving code on existing programs to checking for bugs in software.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22.2 percent employment growth for software developers between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 409,500 jobs should open up.
Software developers made a median salary of $110,140 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $140,470 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $84,020.
1. Information Security Analyst
Median Salary: $103,590
Projected Jobs: 47,100
Not only ranked as the No. 1 technology job in 2022, information security analyst also happens to be the No. 1 job on U.S. News & World Report’s entire 2022 Best Jobs list.
Information cybersecurity analysts plan and execute security measures to protect an organization’s computer systems and networks from infiltration and cyberattacks. These security analysts prevent, monitor and respond to data breaches and cyberattacks, which are becoming more common.
The U.S. government, health care organizations, financial systems and other companies are growing more reliant on information security analysts to protect their information systems against hackers and cyberattacks.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 33.3 percent employment growth for information security analysts between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 47,100 jobs are expected to become available.
Information security analysts made a median salary of $103,590 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent generated $132,890 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $78,440.