Information Technology

Excellent job opportunities are expected in many information technology (IT) professions in coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in computer and information technology will grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2032. Here’s a breakdown of expected growth and available new jobs through 2032 for some popular IT careers:

• information security analysts: +32 percent, +53,200 jobs
• software developers: +26 percent, +410,400 jobs
• computer and information research scientists: +23 percent, +8,300 jobs
• software quality assurance analysts and testers: +20 percent, +40,800 jobs
• web developers: +17 percent, +16,700 jobs
• computer and information systems managers: +15 percent, +86,000 jobs
• web and digital interface designers: +15 percent, +17,900 jobs
• database architects: +10 percent, +6,400 jobs
• computer systems analysts: +10 percent, +51,100 jobs

Driving this growth are several factors: increased adoption and utilization of technology by business and individuals; expanding use of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and virtual/augmented/mixed reality; concerns about computer security; growing use of mobile computing devices, and the increasing role of information technology in health care, financial services, and other industries.

The International Data Corporation, (IDC) an American market research, analysis, and advisory firm, predicts steadily growing demand for software, citing increasing interest in collaborative tools, green information technology, e-commerce, and mobile applications. Consumers in the U.S. spent $56.6 billion on video games in 2022, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESA says that “this figure includes revenues from all content categories (including full-game, post-launch and subscription spending across console, cloud, mobile, portable, PC and VR platforms), hardware and accessories.” Total U.S. e-commerce sales reached $1.03 trillion in 2022, passing $1 trillion for the first time ever, according to a Digital Commerce 360 analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce data. This was a significant increase from $449.8 billion in 2017. Falling prices of computer hardware and software should continue to encourage more people to use technology and more businesses to expand computerized operations and integrate new technologies. To maintain a competitive edge and operate more cost-effectively, firms will continue to demand computer professionals who are knowledgeable about the latest technologies and can apply them to the needs of businesses.

The information technology industry experienced a small drop in revenue in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Business lockdowns and work-from-home orders had some companies scale back their budgets in the technology sector. The rollout of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 and economic recovery led to more growth in the information technology industry. Global information technology spending is expected to reach $5.1 trillion in 2024, according to Gartner. Worldwide IT spending will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3 percent from 2022 through 2027.

In post-pandemic times, more people will be using technology in more parts of their life than ever before, according to a Pew Research Center study. From telework and virtual schooling to telemedicine, e-commerce, and more, the study predicts that by 2025, "there will be more people working from home, reconfigured work spaces, more virtual social and entertainment interactions, and fewer forays in public than in 2020." This will be a new focus by society on technology companies' power and performance. Moving forward, the expanding integration of Internet technologies, especially for wireless and handheld devices, has resulted in a rising demand for a variety of skilled professionals who can develop and support Internet, intranet, and World Wide Web applications. Growth in these areas is expected to create strong demand for computer scientists, engineers, and systems analysts who are knowledgeable about networks, data, and communications security.

In its 2024 Salary Guide for Technology Professionals, Robert Half Technology identified the following careers as the “hottest jobs”:

• data scientist
• database administrator
• help desk specialist, tier 1
• network/cloud engineer
• software engineer

Robert Half Technology says that IT professionals will be in the strongest demand in the following industries: education financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Here are factors that are fueling this growth according to Robert Half and other sources.

• education: due to increasing use of online learning platforms and the integration of technology (including augmented and virtual reality and AI) into in-person education offerings; the worldwide ed tech market is projected to grow from $76.4 billion in 2019 to $285.2 billion by 2027, according to business consulting firm Grand View Research
• health care: due to a need to invest in telemedicine, as well as use artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) to modernize their operations, improve the bottom line, and provide better or more innovative care to patients
• financial services: which needs experts in AI, machine learning, blockchain, business development, and application programming interface development
• government agencies (at all levels): to upgrade outdated infrastructure, manage digital transformation efforts (including cloud migration), offer a more personalized experience, and to address worker shortages
• manufacturing and distribution: because of the need to modernize and automate production processes and the need to introduce and/or expand the use of advanced analytics, AI, robotics, AR, and the Industrial Internet of Things
• professional services: due to a demand for IT experts to provide consulting services to clients and a need for in-house experts to help their organization’s improve and expand their digital infrastructure

Cloud computing, which provides products and services as needed via the Internet, has caught on with many businesses and organizations. Use of cloud computing is expected to grow quickly in coming years. IDC reports that the worldwide public cloud services market reached $233.4 billion in 2019—up from $160 billion in 2018 and $45.7 billion in 2013. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.7 percent from 2022 to 2027, with worldwide revenues reaching $1.34 trillion in 2027. Although this is anticipated to create an overall rise in demand for IT workers, it may also result in a shift as work previously done by internal IT departments is assigned to cloud vendors.

Computer security is also expected to drive future employment growth. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the global cost of cybercrime will grow from $3 trillion in 2015 to $10.5 trillion in 2025. Job opportunities in cybersecurity are excellent. The DOL projects annual employment growth of 32 percent from 2022 to 2032 for information security analysts, a popular career in cybersecurity. Demand for cybersecurity professionals greatly outpaces supply. ISC2 reports that there was a shortage of more than 1.3 million workers in the U.S. in 2023. “The cybersecurity skills shortage continues unabated, leaving a majority of organizations with an ever-growing gap in the cybersecurity skills needed to reduce their cyber-risk from the latest threats,” according to The Life and Times of Cybersecurity Professionals from ISSA.

Another strong sub sector is "Big Data." Today, our every keystroke, Facebook “like,” credit card purchase, and many of our offline activities are being collected and analyzed by data analytics firms to help companies sell more products and services to customers. Businesses are using data analytics to assess employee productivity, and government agencies are using analytics to study crime patterns, predict threats of terrorism, and improve the delivery of services to citizens. Employment for data scientists is projected to grow 35 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the DOL. This is much faster than the average for all careers. Job opportunities for statisticians will increase by 32 percent during this same time span.

Employment opportunities in the computer industry are numerous and varied. Flexibility is key because as the industry shifts into new, unexplored areas, computer professionals have to shift as well. In addition, many computer professionals use certain jobs as springboards to other higher-level jobs. For example, few professionals want to work in technical support long term, but many start there to get a foot in the company's door in order to be first in line for any internal positions that open up.

Advanced software capable of writing basic code has eliminated some jobs, and other programming jobs are at risk of being outsourced to other countries. Three traits are essential to aspiring computer professionals: determination to keep up with the latest technology, flexibility, and formal education. Of course, a solid understanding of computer basics is required as well. However, the technology of today will be obsolete in months, if not weeks, and only those individuals who strive to be on the cutting edge will have long-term growth potential.