Explosive Job Growth
Computer and information technology roles are projected to grow much faster than average through 2034, with about 317,700 openings each year. Growth is fueled by cybersecurity needs, cloud adoption, AI, and digital transformation across every industry (BLS).
High Earning Potential
Many tech careers pay well above the national average. Even entry-level IT support roles often start near $45,000–$55,000, while analysts, developers, and cloud engineers can earn six figures with the right certifications.
Accessible Entry Points
Not all tech jobs require a four-year degree. Many can be started through short-term certificates, bootcamps, or industry certifications like CompTIA, AWS, or Google Career Certificates (Coursera).
Flexibility & Remote Options
Tech jobs are among the most adaptable, with many offering remote and hybrid work. This gives professionals more control over their schedule and work-life balance.
Impact & Innovation
Tech professionals work on projects that shape the future — from securing hospitals against cyberattacks, to building apps for businesses, to applying AI for everyday solutions.
Here are some tech roles that are growing, fairly accessible, and have clear training paths:
| Career | Outlook & Pay | Training Path |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity / IT Security Analyst | Among the fastest-growing tech careers, with ~32% growth projected 2022–2032 (BLS). Median pay ~$120,000/year. | Certificates like CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISSP, plus hands-on labs. |
| Ethical Hacker (Penetration Tester) | Specialty within cybersecurity; demand is growing as cyberattacks rise. Salaries range $90,000–$130,000+ depending on certs and experience. | CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), OSCP, or CompTIA PenTest+. |
| Data Analyst | Strong growth as businesses rely on data-driven decisions. Median ~$98,000 (similar to management analyst & data specialist roles). | Certificates in Data Analytics (Google, IBM, CompTIA Data+), plus tools like SQL, Python, Power BI. |
| Data Scientist | ~35% growth projected 2022–2032 (BLS). Median pay ~$111,000. | Graduate-level roles often need advanced study, but entry can begin with bootcamps + Python/R/ML certificates. |
| Software Developer / Engineer | Adds the most jobs of any tech role. Median ~$127,000/year. Growth ~25%+ over the decade (BLS). | Coding bootcamps, software dev certificates, or degree programs. Portfolio often key to hiring. |
| IT Network Technician / Computer Support Specialist | Demand is steady as every org needs infrastructure support. Median ~$60,000/year. | Short-term certs like CompTIA A+, Network+, Cisco CCNA. Many roles available after a 6–12 month program. |
| Cloud / DevOps Specialist | High demand due to cloud adoption and automation. Salaries ~$100,000–$140,000+. | AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Kubernetes certs. |
*Pay ranges approximate, vary by geography, employer, specialization.
These are certifications or programs often used to get tech roles, sometimes even without a degree: