Publish Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2014
United States Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Computer and Information Technology Occupations,
Median annual wages, May 2012
Computer and information research scientists
Computer occupations
Total, all occupations
$102,190
$76,270
$34,750
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
OCCUPATION
Computer and
Information
Research
Scientists
Computer
Network
Architects
Computer
Programmers
Computer
Support
Specialists
JOB SUMMARY
Computer and information research scientists invent and
design new approaches to computing technology and
find innovative uses for existing technology. They study
and solve complex problems in computing for business,
medicine, science, and other fields.
Computer network architects design and build data
communication networks, including local area networks
(LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.
These networks range from a small connection between
two offices to a multinational series of globally
distributed communications systems.
Computer programmers write code to create software
programs. They turn the program designs created by
software developers and engineers into instructions that
a computer can follow.
Computer support specialists provide help and advice to
people and organizations using computer software or
equipment. Some, called computer network support
specialists, support information technology (IT)
employees within their organization. Others, called
computer user support specialists, assist non-IT users
ENTRY2012
LEVEL
MEDIAN
EDUCATION PAY
Doctoral or
professional $102,190
degree
Bachelor’s
degree
$91,000
Bachelor’s
degree
$74,280
See How to
Become
$48,900
One
OCCUPATION
JOB SUMMARY
who are having computer problems.
Computer systems analysts study an organization’s
current computer systems and procedures and design
Computer
information systems solutions to help the organization
Systems
operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring
Analysts
business and information technology (IT) together by
understanding the needs and limitations of both.
Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized
software to store and organize data, such as financial
Database
information and customer shipping records. They make
Administrators
sure that data are available to users and are secure from
unauthorized access.
Information security analysts plan and carry out security
Information
measures to protect an organization's computer networks
Security
and systems. Their responsibilities are continually
Analysts
expanding as the number of cyberattacks increase.
Computer networks are critical parts of almost every
Network and
organization. Network and computer systems
Computer
administrators are responsible for the day-to-day
Systems
Administrators operation of these networks.
Software developers are the creative minds behind
computer programs. Some develop the applications that
Software
allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other
Developers
device. Others develop the underlying systems that run
the devices or control networks.
Web developers design and create websites. They are
responsible for the look of the site. They are also
responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as
Web
performance and capacity, which are measures of a
Developers
website’s speed and how much traffic the site can
handle. They also may create content for the site.
ENTRY2012
LEVEL
MEDIAN
EDUCATION PAY
Bachelor’s
degree
$79,680
Bachelor’s
degree
$77,080
Bachelor’s
degree
$86,170
Bachelor’s
degree
$72,560
Bachelor’s
degree
$93,350
Associate’s
$62,500
degree
Similar Occupations About this section
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer and
information research scientists.
Occupation
Job Duties
ENTRY2012
LEVEL
MEDIAN
EDUCATION
PAY
Occupation
Job Duties
ENTRY2012
LEVEL
MEDIAN
EDUCATION
PAY
Computer and information systems managers, often
called information technology (IT) managers or IT
Bachelor’s
project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct
Computer and
computer-related activities in an organization. They degree
Information
Systems Managers help determine the information technology goals of
an organization and are responsible for implementing
computer systems to meet those goals.
Computer
Hardware
Engineers
Computer hardware engineers research, design,
develop, and test computer systems and components
Bachelor’s
such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices,
networks, and routers. By creating new directions in degree
computer hardware, these engineers create rapid
advances in computer technology.
Computer
Programmers
Computer programmers write code to create software
Bachelor’s
programs. They turn the program designs created by
software developers and engineers into instructions degree
that a computer can follow.
Database
Administrators
Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized
software to store and organize data, such as financial Bachelor’s
information and customer shipping records. They
degree
make sure that data are available to users and are
secure from unauthorized access.
Mechanical
Engineers
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest
engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers
design, develop, build, and test mechanical and
thermal devices, including tools, engines, and
machines.
Postsecondary
Teachers
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide
variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond Variable
the high school level. They also conduct research and
publish scholarly papers and books.
Software
Developers
Software developers are the creative minds behind
computer programs. Some develop the applications
that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer
or other device. Others develop the underlying
systems that run the devices or control networks.
Bachelor’s
degree
Bachelor’s
degree
$120,950
$100,920
$74,280
$77,080
$80,580
$68,970
$93,350