Top 10 Technical Careers

career-toolkit-200Technical careers are currently climbing with a solid forecast for the future. Stepping into a 6-figure or near 6-figure a year profession with just a Bachelor’s degree and hot job prospects is definitely a possibility in this field.

Computer and IT managers claim the #1 spot on the list of top technical jobs and #2 on the list of top 100 careers overall.  Like most careers on the list of technical jobs, the typical education required is a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, the median pay is over $131K a year and the salary span is over $107K. Job prospects are good with a job outlook of 15% and an estimated 53,700 new jobs projected to be added between 2014 and 2024.

Software developers take the #2 spot with 186,600 new jobs projected to be added through 2024 and a 6-figure median salary. Computer system analysts round out the #3 spot with a job outlook of 21% and a salary of $85K a year.

The highest score using our ranking system is 100

 Computer & IT Manager

#1  Computer and IT Manager

Overall Score: 87 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

A computer and IT manager manages computer-related programs and activities for organizations. This includes performing regular computer updates and hosting internet-security training for employees. Demand for computer and IT managers is growing worldwide as companies expand their digital offerings … learn more

Median Salary: $131,600  | Salary Span: $107,040

Job Outlook: 15% | # of New Jobs: 53,700

 Software Developer

#2  Software Developer

Overall Score: 85 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

Software developers are vital to building effective computer software. They design, program, and test computer programs … learn more

Median Salary: $100,690  | Salary Span: $96,370

Job Outlook: 17% | # of New Jobs: 186,600

 Computer System Analyst

#3  Computer System Analyst

Overall Score: 84 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

A computer system analyst solves problems in computer systems. They set up and manage computer hardware and software … learn more

Median Salary: $85,800  | Salary Span: $83,540

Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 118,600

information-security-analys

Information Security Analyst

#4  Information Security Analyst

Overall Score: 81 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

Many companies and individuals are concerned about the safety of their data. Information security analysts manage and update computer security settings to protect against current and future computer security threats … learn more

Median Salary: $90,120  | Salary Span: $92,490

Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 14,800

 Web Developer

#5  Web Developer

Overall Score: 76 | Typical Education: Associate’s

Web developers design and build attractive websites to improve the way organizations look online … learn more

Median Salary: $64,970  | Salary Span: $81,850

Job Outlook: 27% | # of New Jobs: 39,500

 Network & Computer Systems Administrator

#6  Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Overall Score: 75 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

Network and computer systems administrators build, manage, and update network and computer systems. This includes detecting and preventing network threats that could compromise an organization’s data … learn more

Median Salary: $77,810  | Salary Span: $76,330

Job Outlook: 8% | # of New Jobs: 30,200

 Database Administrator

#7  Database Administrator

Overall Score: 68 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

‘Big Data’ is the hot keyword in the tech industry. Database administrators play a key role in organizing and managing large amounts of data. They use special software to collect, sort, and organize data … learn more

Median Salary: $81,710  | Salary Span: $81,620

Job Outlook: 11% | # of New Jobs: 13,400

 Computer Network Support Specialist

#8  Computer Network Support Specialist

Overall Score: 63 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

While many companies and individuals feel confident in their computer skills, bumps in the road do occur. Computer network support specialists troubleshoot and fix computer and network problems, and teach new software skills … learn more

Median Salary: $62,250  | Salary Span: $69,960

Job Outlook: 8% | # of New Jobs: 13,600

 Computer & Information Research Scientist

#9  Computer and Information Research Scientist

Overall Score: 58 | Typical Education: Doctorate

Computer and information research scientists design and build new computer technology, and develop innovative uses of current ones … learn more

Median Salary: $110,620  | Salary Span: $106,310

Job Outlook: 11% | # of New Jobs: 2,700

 Computer Programmer

#10  Computer Programmer

Overall Score: 58 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s

Computer programmers use computer codes, such as HTML, to create software programs … learn more

Median Salary: $79,530  | Salary Span: $86,350

Job Outlook: -8% | # of New Jobs: -26,500