The information technology field is bustling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), several information technology occupations are projected to be among the nation's fastest-growing occupations over the next several years. In fact, 6 of the 30 occupations listed on a recent BLS table of fastest-growing occupations* were related to information technology. What's more, of those six, five were among the top 11 listed. (See excerpts from the table below.)
As further evidence of the numerous opportunities in the field, two information technology occupations-computer systems analysts and computer software engineers, applications-also were listed by the BLS on its table of occupations projected to have the largest job growth.**
Fastest-growing occupations, 2004-14
Excerpts from Bureau of Labor Statistics Table 2 (Information Technology) |
| 2004 National Employment Matrix Code and Title |
Employment Number (in thousands) |
Change in Employment Number (in thousands) |
Change in Percent |
Quartile Rank by 2004 Median Annual Earnings1 |
Most Significant Source of Postsecondary Education or Training2 |
| 2004 |
2014 |
| 15-1081 Network systems and data communications analysts |
231 |
357 |
126 |
54.6 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
| 15-1031 Computer software engineers, applications |
460 |
682 |
222 |
48.4 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
| 15-1032 Computer software engineers, systems software |
340 |
486 |
146 |
43.0 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
| 15-1071 Network and computer systems administrators |
278 |
385 |
107 |
38.4 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
| 15-1061 Database administrators |
104 |
144 |
40 |
38.2 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
| 15-1051 Computer systems analysts |
487 |
640 |
153 |
31.4 |
VH |
Bachelor's degree |
1 The quartile rankings of Occupational Employment Statistics Survey annual earnings data are presented in the following categories: VH=very high ($43,605 and over), H=high ($28,590 to $43,604), L=low ($20,185 to $28,589), and VL=very low (up to $20,184). The rankings were based on quartiles using one-fourth of total employment to define each quartile. Earnings are for wage and salary workers.
2 An occupation is placed into one of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or training needed by most workers to become fully qualified. For more information about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2004-05 edition, Bulletin 2572 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2004) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-07 edition, Bulletin 2602 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
* Table 2, Fastest growing occupations, 2004-14, in "Occupational employment projections to 2014," published in the November 2005 Monthly Labor Review.
** Table 3, Occupations with the largest job growth, 2004-14, in "Occupational employment projections to 2014," published in the November 2005 Monthly Labor Review.