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Job Titles or Specialties
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Computers have so permeated the areas of business, science, technology and entertainment that work in this area can be found almost anywhere. More and more jobs are being created every day, but more and more people are being attracted to them. Because of this, formal education as a competitive advantage in the job market will take on greater importance throughout the next decade. Not all specialties share the same rate of growth, nor the same financial rewards.
In addition to looking carefully at the different job options that are available, individuals seeking a career with computers should honestly evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses so that they may better select an area that they will be happy with. It should be kept in mind that some careers require more technical knowledge and training than others, while some require individuals to simply learn how to use software packages that are readily available, and yet others require an education in a complimentary field, such as art, business or finance.
Following are some of the typical job titles or specialties that are found in the computer professions and a brief description of the career outlook for each. More thorough information, as offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, can be found by clicking on the job title.
Major Career Fields and Job Outlook
Computer and Information Scientists - Research - Invent and develop new computer technologies. A strong technical background is essential and a Bachelor degree is required, but a Masters or Doctorate degree is helpful. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer and information scientists is around $77,760.
Computer and Information Systems Managers - Oversee and supervise the computer systems (hardware and software), data storage and data handling functions of a business. A strong technical background is essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required, but a Masters degree is preferred. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer and information systems managers is around $85,240.
Computer Hardware Engineers - Design and develop computer devices and components. A strong technical background is essential and a Bachelor degree is required, but a Masters degree is preferred. Demand for this specialty is expected to increase by approximately 10 to 20 percent through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer hardware engineers is around $72,150.
Computer Operators - Monitor computer equipment and run computer programs, trouble-shooting problems and replenishing supplies, like printing paper, as needed. A technical background is useful, with specialized trained usually occurring on the job. Demand for this specialty is expected to decline sharply through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all Computer operators is around $29,650.
Computer Programmers - Write the code that computers use to perform operations. A strong technical background is essential and a Bachelor degree is increasingly required. Demand for this specialty is expected to increase only by one or two percent through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer programmers is around $60,290.
Computer Software Engineers - Design and oversee the creation of computer programs, concentrating more developing efficient algorithms and solving technical problems than with the actual writing of computer code. A strong technical background is essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to be the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer systems software engineers is around $70,900.
Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators - Provide technical assistance to clients, customers and co-workers. A strong technical background is essential and an Associate or a Bachelor degree is usually desirable. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all computer support specialists is around $39,100.
Computer Systems Analysts - Maximize the usefulness of computer and information systems within a business. Strong managerial as well as technical skills are essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all systems analysts is around $62,890.
Computer-Control Programmers - Convert the machine operations desired to manufacture an object into programmed instructions understandable by a robotic device. A strong mechanical and technical background is useful, with specialized trained often occurring on the job. Demand for this specialty is expected to increase by approximately 10 to 20 percent through the year 2010. The average hourly rate for all semiconductor processing operators, control operators and technicians is around $13.97 per hour.
Data Entry and Information Processing Workers - Input lists of items or numbers into a computer by typing on a keyboard. Strong typing skills are essential and some post-high school training may be useful. Demand for this specialty is expected to decline through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all data entry keyers is around $26,730.
Database Administrators - Supervise the organization and storage of data in a business. Strong managerial as well as technical skills are essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all database administrators is around $54,070.
Desktop Publishers - Combine text and graphic elements to create publication-ready material with a computer. A strong technical background is essential and some post-high school study or certification is increasingly desirable. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all desktop publishers is around $31,620.
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers - Fix and maintain computers and peripheral devices like printers, disk drives and servers. A strong electronics background is essential and some kind of certification is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to increase by approximately 10 to 20 percent through the year 2010. The average hourly rate for all computer repairers is around $19.77 per hour.
Network or Computer Systems Administrators - Oversee a business's internet system and internal and external computer network systems. A strong technical background is essential and an Associate or a Bachelor degree is usually desirable. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all network systems administrators is around $39,100.
Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts - Maximize the efficiency of internal, external, and internet network systems for a business. Strong managerial as well as technical skills are essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all network systems and data communications analysts is around $58,420.
Semiconductor Processors - Manufacture computer chips, usually by operating specialized equipment for that purpose. A strong technical background is essential and an Associate degree is desirable. Demand for this specialty is expected to increase by approximately 21 to 35 percent through the year 2010. The average hourly rate for all semiconductor processing operators, control operators and technicians is around $13.14 per hour.
Software Publishers - Design and publish prepackaged software. Occupations require varying levels of education depending on the employer's needs. Demand for this specialty is projected to be the fastest growing industry through the year 2010. The average hourly rate for all software publishers is $32.15 per hour.
Webmaster - Oversee the internet system and websites for a business. Strong managerial as well as technical skills are essential and a Bachelor degree is usually required. Demand for this specialty is expected to be one of the fastest of any career through the year 2010. The average annual earnings for all internet administrators is around $49,590.
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