Online IT Master's Degree Salaries
By Sarah Stevenson
The job forecast is optimistic for information technology professionals of every stripe. Despite difficult economic times, IT compensation continues to grow, according to recent salary surveys.* The outlook is particularly rosy if you possess specialized education such as an IT certification or an online IT masters degree—many management-level positions and even some certifications can command triple-digit salaries.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly collects data on median earnings for a number of general job categories within the information technology sector, and it's easy to see why IT positions are so attractive—you have the opportunity to work on the cutting edge of technology in a field where even entry-level careers earn a competitive income:
| IT Job Category | Median Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $69,900 – $166,400 |
| Software Engineer | $54,840 – $139,930 |
| Systems Analyst | $47,130 – $119,170 |
| Database Administrator | $40,780 – $114,200 |
| Computer Programmer | $40,640 – $113,380 |
| Network/Systems Administrator | $41,940 – $105,970 |
| Technical Support Specialist | $27,200 – $72,690 |
IT Jobs and Education Level
In the IT sector, salaries vary widely according to your area of expertise, your level of education, and how much experience you have. The good news is, you don't necessarily need to pursue advanced education, such as an MBA in information systems or an online IT masters degree, in order to get started. The most common degree level for most jobs in IT is a bachelor's degree. Entry-level jobs in technical support, database administration and network administration may only require an associate's degree or certificate.
| Technical Support Jobs | Minimum Education | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Help Desk Support | Certificate or associate's degree | $44,795 |
| Senior Help Desk Support | Associate's degree | $52,389 |
| Help Desk Manager | Bachelor's degree | $83,950 |
| Software Engineering Jobs | Minimum Education | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer, Entry-Level | Bachelor's degree | $56,465 |
| Software Engineer, Intermediate Level | Bachelor's degree | $72,265 |
| Software Engineer Level III | Bachelor's degree | $85,488 |
| Network and Database Administration Jobs | Minimum Education | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Network Administrator, Entry-Level | Associate's or bachelor's degree | $47,553 |
| Network Administrator, Intermediate Level | Associate's or bachelor's degree | $62,797 |
| Network Administrator Level III | Associate's or bachelor's degree | $68,522 |
| Database Administrator | Associate's or bachelor's degree | $85,603 |
| Database Administration Manager | Bachelor's degree | $110,148 |
Online IT Masters Degrees and Management Salaries
If your goal is to work in management, then you might want to consider graduate education. Especially if you're already employed in the IT sector and don't have time to be a full-time student, one option is pursuing an education online—IT masters degrees and MBAs are plentiful and can help you advance in your current career.
| Management Jobs | Minimum Education | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Network Security Systems Manager | Bachelor's degree or higher | $78,353 |
| Health Information Systems Director | Bachelor's degree or higher | $115,415 |
| Chief Information Technology Officer | Bachelor's degree or higher | $208,757 |
IT Certification and Salary
An online IT masters degree isn't the only route to higher earning power. Global Knowledge and TechRepublic collected salary data for a number of popular IT certifications and found that many areas of specialized training had a positive impact on earnings.
| Ten Popular Types of IT Certification | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Six Sigma | $111,908 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | $104,253 |
| IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v2 Foundation | $102,128 |
| Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | $99,928 |
| Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) | $93,953 |
| VMware Certified Professional | $91,271 |
| Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) | $89,864 |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) | $86,454 |
| Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) | $82,044 |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) | $79,695 |
If you're ready to take on an information technology career, or improve your current prospects in the IT industry, we can help you research different types of IT jobs and find accredited online IT masters degree, bachelor's degree, associate's degree and IT certification programs.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009; Salary.com, 2010; Global Knowledge/TechRepublic 2010 IT Skills and Salary Report; Redmondmag.com, 2010
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