With the integration of the Internet in most aspects of daily life, our collective use and reliance on information technology grows on a continual upward arc. Vast amounts of data stream through technology used for business operations, governance, education, and entertainment; keeping the information flowing and equipment working properly is the job of information technology—or IT—professionals.
IT offers a great variety of both creative and technical careers, from designing and developing software applications, databases, and websites to providing customer support and ensuring information security.
More so than perhaps in any other industry, many IT jobs can be performed remotely, as long as a reliable Internet connection is available. That said, several major cities represent the highest numbers of IT job openings: San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago. A number of smaller cities are also adding significant numbers of IT jobs, including Austin, Charleston, Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Madison.
The United States is the world’s largest technology market, and the industry is a major contributor to our overall economy.
Quick facts to know:
- Almost 550,000 new IT jobs are expected in the coming years, with substantial growth in information security, software and application development, cloud computing, and data storage.
- Information technology jobs are well-paying, with wages that are twice as high as the national average for all occupations.
- The U. S. accounts for 32% of the technology market worldwide, contributing over $1.7 trillion to the economy each year.