The IT sector is in a state of constant evolution, with advanced technological solutions emerging every day.
Consequently, recruiters are burdened with a whole new list of IT job titles to hire for every couple of years. The best recruiters know this modern IT landscape requires consistent research to stay up to date with all the new trends.
With that in mind, today we are going to go over a list of some of the most common IT job titles that all modern recruiters should be hiring.
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IT Job Title Categories
Industries within the IT sector are some of the fastest-growing on the planet. From software to communications equipment, almost every industry within the IT sector has witnessed monumental growth over the past few decades.
Nonetheless, no matter if you’re working for a 5G support company or NASA, there are only a select number of IT job types out there to hire for, including:
- Administrator
- Analyst
- Architect
- Content
- Engineer
- Executive
- Project Manager
- Programmer
- Security
- Support
The reality is, IT job titles are a lot less confusing than they seem. If you’re worried about recruiting in IT, just remember every IT job fits within one of the above categories. Sometimes breaking down the hiring process from the start, like this, is just what you need to make things more manageable.
IT Jobs List
While learning IT industries and job types is a great start, the best way to break down IT jobs for recruiters and hiring managers is by job level.
Below we dive into a few examples of some of the fastest-growing and most common entry-level IT jobs, mid-level IT jobs, and executive IT jobs. That way, you know what positions to hire for in this ever-changing IT landscape.
Entry-Level IT Jobs
Help Desk Technician
Technical Support jobs are one of the staple entry-level jobs of the IT industry. When you’re having trouble setting up your computer or figuring out some new software, help desk technicians are there to help.
Responsibilities:
- Provide accurate information on IT products and services.
- Identify and suggest improvements in procedures.
- Maintain the daily performance of computer systems.
- Perform troubleshooting using different diagnostic techniques.
Job Outlook: With the rapid rise of the IT sector, there are now millions of help desk jobs all over the world, including almost a million positions in the U.S. That growth trend is set to continue according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics who predict a 10% annual growth rate between 2018-2028 for IT help desk jobs.
Average Annual Salary: $42,000
Technical Writer
It’s a technical writers’ job to create materials for companies, including instruction manuals, journal articles, and pamphlets. Without technical writers, understandably getting across technical information would be a challenge.
Responsibilities:
- Study product samples and talk with product designers and developers.
- Publish technical information for customers, partners, or manufacturers.
- Organize and write easy-to-understand text and developer guides.
- Manage updates and revisions to the technical text.
Job Outlook: Technical writers have strong job security, and their services are required more than ever before. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writer positions are expected to grow at an 8% clip per year over the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $72,000
Technical Analyst
A technical analyst designs, analyzes, and tests new information systems to improve business efficiency. Technical analysts are some of the most valuable positions in IT as they help keep the whole department running smoothly.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze business requirements and recommend appropriate applications and technology.
- Evaluate IT architecture and develop required presentations and white papers for technical processes.
- Coordinate with infrastructure and operations departments to comply with NERC regulations.
- Gather feedback from end-users about system performance.
Job Outlook: Technical analysts, often called Computer Systems Analysts, are another IT job with a strong growth outlook of 9% per year over the next decade, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
Web Developer
Working with a team of supervising developers, web developers will help to create new websites and/or applications. From Google to Uber, every major tech company has a team of dedicated web developers who act as the builders of the tech world.
Responsibilities:
- Use basic programming languages like Java and Python to create websites and apps.
- Perfect graphical user interface to enhance user experience.
- Make sure outbound links function correctly.
- Enhance the mobile experience and perform tests to ensure functionality.
Job Outlook: Web developers are one of the most coveted positions around for employers these days. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developer positions are set to grow at an impressive 13% annual growth rate over the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $69,000.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts help ensure the security of a company’s data. With the number of data breaches we see these days, that makes these guys vital to an IT department.
Information security analysts are also some of the highest-paid professionals right out of college. Most make right around the six-figure mark, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Responsibilities:
- Use software like Tableau to manage and secure data.
- Manage network and cybersecurity concerns to protect company information.
- Perform security tests to catch any vulnerabilities in company systems.
- Translate data security information to non-technical management.
Job Outlook: The BLS revealed in 2018 that information security analysts have one of the fastest-growing professions on the planet. The position is expected to grow at an incredible 32% per year over the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $98,000
Mid-Level IT Jobs
Senior Software Developer
Senior software developers manage a team of software developers to create solutions for data storage, information transmission, and other business operations. Senior software developers play a crucial role as liaisons between their teams and management.
Responsibilities:
- Manage teams of software developers and engineers.
- Communicate progress and challenges with management.
- Test and review the completed software.
- Code programs and software using python, C++, Java, and more.
Job Outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developer positions are expected to grow at a rate of over 21% annually for the next decade. It sure pays to be STEM-educated.
Average Annual Salary: $112,000
Data Scientist
In the age of ‘big data,’ data scientists are some of the most valued professionals around. Using their data science degrees, they implement algorithms and systems that extract useful data from gigantic unstructured data sets.
Responsibilities:
- Collect large data sets to be analyzed.
- Ensure data security throughout the analysis process.
- Create algorithms and models that help extract value from data.
- Understandably communicate data to investors, clients, and management.
Job Outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist positions are expected to grow at a whopping 16% per year for the next ten years.
Average Annual Salary: $118,000
UI/UX Designer
User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designers work with web developers to make sure websites are optimized for a human audience. If you’ve ever been to a completely unnavigable website, then you’ll know the value of UI/UX designers.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure the correct look and layout of websites and applications.
- Cater technology products to a human audience.
- Enhance conversions from visitors to customers by improving UI/UX.
- Consider how a user will act, think, and feel experiencing the product.
Job Outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, UI/UX designers will see their positions grow by some 13% year-over-year for the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $89,000
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers are some of the more senior developers on web development teams whose specific skill sets make them in high demand these days. They help manage teams and implement testing of completed products.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a team of developers and engineers to create new websites or apps.
- Help the CTO connect business goals with technological realities.
- Implement unit testing and oversee code deployment.
- Manage update releases, software automation, and sometimes security.
Job Outlook: DevOps engineers are so in demand the position ranks #5 on Glassdoor’s list of the 50 Best Jobs in America for 2020.
Average Annual Salary: $115,000
Executive IT Jobs
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
The buck stops here when it comes to IT. The CIO is the head of the IT department. They are in charge of making sure business operations are supported with IT services, from data storage to video conferencing.
Although the average annual salary of CIOs is only around $150,000. Many CIOs at fortune 500 companies are making a lot more than that.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure a company has the required technological resources to accomplish business goals.
- Manage the IT department and help with hiring of lead personnel.
- Approve vendor negotiations, IT policies, and IT architecture.
- Develop and approves IT budgets.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects top executive job growth to be average at best for the tech industry at just 6% per year over the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $145,000 base
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
While CIOs focus inwards, CTOs focus on creating tech to sell to customers. They ensure that companies’ visions and strategies align with their technical capabilities. If you want a quality tech product, hire a quality CTO.
Responsibilities:
- Help to manage web developers, software engineers, and/or information security analysts, among others.
- Plan and implement technological product development.
- Ensure a company’s technological strategy serves its business goals.
- Develop and approve of tech product budgets.
Job Outlook: CTOs are considered top executives by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Outlook for top executives in the tech industry is for 6% annual growth over the next decade.
Average Annual Salary: $164,000 base
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
With the rise of threats to data security, chief information security officers (CISOs) have become a must-have for every fortune 500 company. CISOs work to ensure there are systems in place to protect data and communications within a business.
CISOs are some of the fastest-growing executive positions because of the rising threat to data security from ransomware, Automated Intelligence(AI), and the Internet of Things(IoT). It is expected that the IoT security market alone is expected to be worth some $40 billion by 2025. CISO’s are set to be extremely in-demand positions going forward.
Responsibilities:
- Establish company-wide security protocols to ensure data security.
- Develop emergency response plans for worse case data breach scenarios.
- Handle company-wide system updates and software additions.
- Ensure budgetary requirements for data security are met.
Job Outlook: Due to the growing demand for security specialists, executive CISOs have far better job prospects than their tech executive peers. In fact, it’s estimated that the profession will see some 11% annual growth over the coming decade.
Average Annual Salary: $185,000
Conclusion
In conclusion, no matter how rapid the advancements in the IT sector, information technology roles all fall within a few categories. So as long as you stay up to date with IT industry trends, you’ll have no problem hiring a software engineer for a 5G company or just develop a common website.
Don’t let employers confuse you with funky IT job titles. The reality is IT job titles are pretty straightforward.