If you’re tech savvy, you may be well on your way to earning a six-figure salary.

Computer and information technology (IT) occupations take home a median annual wage of $104,420—that’s over 2x more than all occupations—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, for those with a master’s degree from a top IT school, achieving a much higher salary is likely in your future.

There are more than 5.6 million tech workers in the U.S. alone—and that number is only expected to grow as companies and the world become increasingly digital and require experts to support growing areas like cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics.

3 high-paying information technology jobs and their salaries

Role	Median total pay	Occupation growth rate, 10-year	Experience level
IT support specialists	$64,000	38%	Entry
IT project managers	$136,000	82%	Mid-level
IT directors	$214,000	134%	Senior leadership

3 high-paying IT jobs and their salaries

IT support specialists

Median total pay: $64,000
10-year growth: 38%
Experience level: Entry
Associated titles: Computer support specialists; IT repair technician

Most companies, no matter their industry, have some sort of IT support specialist—to aid employees across the organization in their technology needs. This includes installing, loaning, and/or training hardware or software, troubleshooting issues both on-site and remotely, and ensuring safe and stable internet connection.

IT project managers

Median total pay: $136,000
10-year growth: 82%
Experience level: Mid-level

IT project managers are master organizers and help companies keep their technology goals and sprints on track. Their tasks may focus on one particular project, such as hardware or software upgrades, network changes, or website redevelopment. Project managers track projects from start to finish—from idea to execution to conclusion. They may have certifications specifically in IT or project management from organizations like the Project Management Institute.

IT directors

Median total pay: $214,000
10-year growth: 134%
Experience level: Senior
Associated titles: Chief technology officer; chief information officer; vice president of technology

IT directors are the leaders of their department and responsible for part or the entirety of their company’s technology. They provide direction for all others in their umbrella, lead company IT policy, and oversee risk assessment and management. Moreover, IT directors have significant administrative tasks, whether that be communicating internally with their team and externally across the company as well as helping in the hiring of others.

Being up to date with new and emerging tech is paramount to their role, since they will play an integrate role in directing future endeavors.

There are countless high-paying jobs in IT and tech space—many of which have varying responsibilities, including those that may duplicate and overlap. It is important when applying to jobs to take a serious look at the description, including responsibilities and requirements. For example, in Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Report, other roles, IT specialists in consulting, hardware, and software are identified—all earning average pay above $130,000.

Role specialization	Avg. North American compensation (according to Skillsoft)
IT Consulting	$133,479
IT Hardware	$139,128
IT Software	$152,463

3 ways to make more money in IT

Upgrading your skills is key to advancing your career in IT. But instead of waiting for a promotion to come to you, leveraging your passion for a new challenge can demonstrate to current and future employers that you are up to the task.

However with technology constantly changing, upskilling must also remain constant for those who want to remain competitive.

Certifications

For those holding certain IT certifications, average salaries can exceed $200,000, according to Skillsoft.

In particular, those with certifications from top companies, like Google Cloud or AWS, tend to have higher salaries. However, Skillsoft’s research shows that one certification is not enough to make thousands of dollars more. For example, those reaching the top mark of a $200,000 salary, for example, had graduated from Google Cloud’s Professional Cloud Architect program as well as completed eight other certifications.

Many certifications are relatively affordable—costing less than $1,000—compared to a full-on degree and can be completed on a part-time basis, allowing you to learn while keeping your full-time job.

Degrees

One of the most tried-and-true ways to level up your career is putting a new degree to your name. A degree can especially be a great way to upgrade your career via a slight pivot. For example, if you are just an IT support specialist and are eager to get into cybersecurity, then pursuing a master’s in cybersecurity could be the right move.

Over the last decade, schools have expanded their computer science departments and diversified their learning opportunities to cater to in-demand fields. On top of looking at programs in computer science or cybersecurity, consider getting a master’s in data science or a master’s in AI. Luckily, obtaining any of these tech degrees does not silo you in to one specific area—you’ll likely take classes touching on a variety of topics, allowing you to explore and find truly what’s right for you.

Lastly, if you have your sights set on being a senior IT leader and become your company’s new CIO or CTO, then pursuing an MBA can be a great move. The degree is known for its rigorous curriculum and networking opportunities that eventually translate into career advancement. Some MBA programs have even recently developed more tech-specific courses and concentrations, including in AI.

Side projects

For many people with jobs in the tech world, being tech-involved does not end at 5pm. You can constantly upgrade your portfolio with opportunities that pique your interest—whether that be building your own video game, exploring large language models (LLMs), or beyond.

Simply being in touch with the tech industry can go a long way at your next job interview or discussion around the water cooler. You can explore others’ coding projects on platforms like GitHub or read up on discussions in popular tech-related subreddits, as just two examples.

The takeaway

While it can be easy to compare your salary to those of others, especially nationwide, it is important to consider that every candidate has varying levels of education and professional experience. Plus, the cost of living of individuals may differ drastically; those with a high numerical salary in New York City still may not be taking as much pay as you may expect.

Know that lifelong learning is increasingly becoming the norm, so staying ahead of the game when it comes to education will help you distinguish yourself from the pack. As experts will tell you, while technology may not replace individuals or their roles, those who know how to effectively leverage technology will replace them.

Frequently asked questions

Is information technology well paid?

Yes, those working in information technology generally get paid more than the average pay of all occupations in the U.S. The more education and professional work experience you have, the higher chance you will have a chance at a high-paying job.

What is a good salary in IT?

Any salary above the national average of all occupations—about $48,000—is certainly a good salary. If you have a college degree, work experience, or certifications, having a salary closer to six-figures is certainly on par. However, salary judgment should be baked in the cost of living for your area.

What is the highest paid IT job?

The highest paid IT job is the one at the top: whether it be chief technology officer or chief information officer. The leaders can make several hundred thousands of dollars each year in base salary alone. Looking more broadly, computer information research scientists and software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers tend to make higher salaries than other computer and IT occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Does the IT field pay well?

Yes, the median annual wage of computer and IT occupations was just shy of $105,000 in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That number is over double the median wage of all occupations in the nation, which sits at just above $48,000 annually.

References

Job data sources

Growth data: CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2024
Salary data: Glassdoor

Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.

Key takeaways

Eager to make six figures? Explore the salary of information technology—an industry that continues to grow