Information Technology Salary for Graduate Degree Holders
Information technology salaries have exploded in the past 20 years, and the need for experienced, educated IT professionals has soared, too. As companies increasingly face important technology and management decisions, demand for business professionals with MSIT and MBA IT degrees is expected to continue growing.
Florida Tech’s innovative Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) and MBA in IT Management degrees, both of which are offered 100% online, are carefully constructed to prepare professionals for the unique challenges of today’s dynamic information technology environment.
Career and Salary Information
Overall, IT careers are projected to see strong employment growth in the coming years. For example, job opportunities for software developers will increase by 22% nationwide from 2012 to 2022, while employment of IT managers will rise by 15%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports.
By comparison, the average growth rate for all occupations is 11% during that same period.
Many of these IT careers require a master’s level of education and typically have potential salary ranges well above the national average, according to data from the BLS and the Robert Half Technology 2015 Salary Guide.
| Career | Average Salary Range |
| Information Technology (IT) Manager | $101,750 to $150,750 |
| Information Technology (IT) Director | $118,750 to $174,000 |
| Chief Information Officer (CIO) | $157,000 to $262,500 |
| Vice President (VP) Information Technology (IT) | $138,000 to $210,250 |
| Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | $137,500 to $220,250 |
| Project Manager Information Technology (IT) | $91,250 to $139,250 |
| Software Engineer | $96,000 to $147,250 |
| Software Developer | $85,500 to $136,250 |
| Product Manager, Software Development | $101,750 to $145,000 |
| Applications Architect | $115,750 to $159,500 |
| Senior IT Auditor | $111,750 to $155,500 |
| Applications Development Manager | $103,250 to $150,750 |
| Director, Consulting & Systems Integration | $119,750 to $178,750 |
| Practice Manager, Consulting & Systems Integration | $119,250 to $164,750 |
| ERP Business Analyst | $87,500 to $124,500 |
| ERP Technical/Functional Analyst | $94,750 to $132,000 |
| ERP Technical Developer | $99,750 to $136,750 |
| Information Systems Security Manager | $122,250 to $171,250 |
As with any career field, potential salary ranges and employment opportunities within the IT profession are determined by multiple factors. Those can include a candidate’s educational qualifications and work experience, as well the industry type, employer size and local market conditions.
How to Leverage Your Salary
Certifications
In addition to earning a master’s degree, attaining relevant and respected IT certifications can also boost career advancement. For example, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) credential can be a valuable qualification for IT professionals in information systems management. In addition, the Project Manager Professional (PMP®) certification may indicate an advanced ability to plan and execute technology projects.
Many of these IT certifications require individuals to have specific levels of experience and education, as well as to successfully complete a course of study and exam.
Skills
Acquiring specialized skills also can lead to enhanced earning potential. Depending on the specific IT area, such as web development, business analysis or database administration, obtaining skills in the following areas may improve a candidate’s prospects of landing a sought-after IT management job:
- C# and C++ development
- Hyperion
- Java, .NET and SAP development
- SharePoint and Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle Database
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Cisco network administration
- Linux/Unix system administration
IT Management Career Opportunities
With numerous IT management career paths available, attaining an MSIT degree or MBA in IT degree can help open the door to leadership positions and elevated salary ranges.