Computer Science Education Week: Explore In-Demand IT Jobs

Computer Science Education Week: Explore In-Demand IT Jobs

Computer Science Education Week, this Dec. 5-11, is an annual call to action to celebrate all the contributions to the field of computer science and to inspire and motivate K-12 students to learn more about this field. Students and anyone else interested in computer science will have many job opportunities in the field since overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 14.6{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73} from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations (5.3{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}); this increase is expected to result in about 682,800 new jobs over the decade.

A bachelor’s degree or higher is typically needed for entry-level positions in computer and IT occupations. And the median annual wage for this group, $97,430 in May 2021, is more than twice the median for all occupations!

Interested in a career in computer science? The following occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average from 2021 to 2031.

Computer Science Education Week: Explore In-Demand IT Jobs

 

Note: Occupational openings are an estimate of the number of positions for workers entering an occupation. Occupational separations, an estimate of the number of workers who will leave an occupation because of retirement, career changes, or other factors, combined with projections of employment change, provides the number of occupational openings.

 

Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.

2021 annual median pay: $102,600

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 163,000

Projected growth, 2021–31: 34.7{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 19,500

 

Web developers create and maintain websites.

2021 annual median pay: $77,030

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 95,300

Projected growth, 2021–31: 30.3{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 11,000

 

Software developers design computer applications or programs.

2021 annual median pay: $120,730

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 1,425,900

Projected growth, 2021–31: 26.0{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 143,400

 

Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.

2021 annual median pay: $131,490

Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 33,500

Projected growth, 2021–31: 21.3{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 3,300

 

Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects. 

2021 annual median pay: $98,220

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 196,300

Projected growth, 2021–31: 20.8{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 19,500

 

Web and digital interface designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability.

2021 annual median pay: $79,890

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs, 2021: 101,800

Projected growth, 2021–31: 16.3{5376dfc28cf0a7990a1dde1ec4d231557d3d9e6448247a9e5e61bb9e48b1de73}

Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 10,800

 

You can explore these and hundreds of other occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook

 

Emily Krutsch is an economist in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.