Why Computer Science Graduates Can Expect Higher Pay
Why Computer Science Graduates Can Expect Higher Pay
Today’s world is volatile. Job markets fluctuate quickly, global politics can disrupt entire economies and industries at a moment’s notice, and technology is advancing faster than ever before. These factors and more can make it increasingly strategic to choose an occupation that is likely to hold steady, remain in demand, and provide a strong return over the course of your professional life.
The field of computer science provides one such opportunity to secure a dependable, high-paying career. Not only is it likely that computer science will remain a steady job prospect for the foreseeable future, but it is likely to remain a high-paying and lucrative career trajectory that offers significant opportunities for well-paid work and advancement. If you are looking for a career that pays well, look no further.
What Exactly Is Computer Science?
The field of computer science covers a lot of territory. Defined as “subjects related to the technology and principles of computers,” the study of computer science provides a basis for wide portions of virtually all technological and computing areas.
From engineering to manufacturing; healthcare to space exploration; and travel to education, computer science is an essential element for operations and advancement in each of these fields and countless more as well.
Computers and their capabilities make it possible to store and manipulate data, to analyze and assess trends, and to design and calculate in ways we never would have been able to previously before our current computing age.
Industries You Might Work in As a Computer Science or Computer Engineering Graduate
As alluded to above, computer science graduates could find themselves working in a vast array of different industries and environments.
Government agencies, telecommunications companies, automotive brands, software development firms, large corporations of many types, and countless other entities all employ or incorporate computer science operatives in their work.
Computer science graduates have a huge landscape of industries and types of positions to choose from when they graduate and begin pursuing a career. Virtually every area of business and every facet of most economies incorporates some aspect of computer science.
Salary Projections
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, job security and salary projections for the computer science/ computer engineering industry are strong, especially when compared to the average workforce-wide outlook.
In 2021, the median reported salary for computer and information technology systems was reported at $97,430. Comparing that figure to the national occupation-wide median salary of $45,760 helps indicate how lucrative the field can be compared to entering other lines of work.
Within the computer science field, certain careers can boast even higher average yearly earnings. For instance, median annual income amongst information security analysts equaled $102,600 in 2021. That same figure for computer network architects totaled $120,520, and the median income for computer and information research scientists exceeded $131,000 per year.
How to Pursue a Computer Science Job
One reason computer science graduates can anticipate such healthy salaries once they enter their career is because these jobs are often highly technical and require higher education degrees.
Many positions within computer science require earning a Bachelor’s degree, and some are not accessible before completing postgraduate education as well.
To enter the field of computer science, you must find out what level of schooling will be required to enter the specific area of the field that you’re interested in pursuing. This will help you plan your educational pathway and avoid spending time and money on degrees that won’t benefit your career trajectory.
As an example, most computer programmers, database administrators, and web developers or designers only need a Bachelor’s degree to be employable.
If you are interested in becoming a computer information systems research scientist or pursuing a high-level management position such as a Chief Technological Officer (CTO), you’ll likely need to earn a Master’s degree in order to be seriously considered.
After earning the entry-level degree you’ll need to begin pursuing work in computer science, be aware that ongoing opportunities for professional development and continued learning can be a great way to advance your career and improve your resume.
These often take the form of classes, short certifications, professional development courses, or short forays into external subject areas like project management, leadership, team building, technical writing, and more.
These opportunities can benefit your career trajectory and make you more eligible for career advancement or raises.
Because these types of professional development opportunities are so prevalent and widely regarded throughout the computer science industry, they provide another helpful advantage of entering the computer science realm that many other career paths do not afford.
Computer science careers can be highly lucrative and are settled in an industry that is only continuing to grow in demand and job security. This is an opportune time to enter the field as a computer science graduate.
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