Quick answer
Based on US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the highest-paying common IT career tracks are database architecture ($135,980 median), software development ($133,080), computer network architecture ($130,390), and information security / cybersecurity ($124,910). The fastest-growing are data science (34% projected growth, 2024-2034) and information security analysis (29%) — both far outpacing the 4% average across all US occupations. Network and computer systems administrator roles are a notable exception, projected to decline 4% as cloud platforms automate traditional on-premises administration.
When you are choosing which IT skill to invest months of study into, salary and job-growth data matters more than marketing claims. The numbers below are pulled directly from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook — the US government's own labor market research — using the most recent published wage data (May 2024) and the 2024-2034 employment projections. Every figure links to its official BLS source page.
IT career salaries and growth, ranked
| Occupation | Median annual wage (May 2024) | Projected growth (2024-2034) | Typical MITS Edge track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database Architects | $135,980 | 4% (with Database Administrators) | SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL |
| Software Developers | $133,080 | 15% | Full Stack, Java, Python, MERN |
| Computer Network Architects | $130,390 | 12% | Cloud Computing, AWS, Azure |
| Information Security Analysts (Cybersecurity) | $124,910 | 29% | Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, CompTIA Security+ |
| Data Scientists | $112,590 | 34% | Data Science, AI/ML, Python |
| Database Administrators | $104,620 | 4% (with Database Architects) | MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle DBA |
| Network & Computer Systems Administrators | $96,800 | -4% (declining) | Not a primary recommendation — consider Cloud instead |
| Web Developers | $90,930 | 7% | HTML5/CSS3, React.js, Full Stack |
For context, the median annual wage across all computer and information technology occupations was $105,990 in May 2024 — more than double the $49,500 median for all US occupations. Every track in the table above sits at or above that broader tech-industry median, and all but one (network administration) is projected to grow faster than the 4% average across all US jobs.
What this means if you are choosing a course
- Data science and cybersecurity combine strong pay with the fastest projected growth — a good bet if you want long-term demand, not just current openings.
- Software development remains the single highest-paying, highest-volume track, with broad applicability across industries.
- Cloud-adjacent skills (network architecture, cloud administration) are growing while traditional on-premises network administration is shrinking — if you are drawn to infrastructure, specialize in cloud platforms rather than legacy on-prem networking.
- Database work splits: architecture (designing systems) pays more and holds steadier than pure administration, though both are grouped under modest 4% BLS growth.
- Web development has the lowest median of this group but also one of the lowest barriers to entry, making it a common and viable first step into tech.
These are published US government labor statistics, not marketing claims — use them to sanity-check any course provider's promises about salary and demand in a given field.
How MITS Edge fits
MITS Edge offers live, instructor-led tracks mapped to every occupation in the table above — including Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Full Stack Development, and Database Administration. We do not publish placement-rate percentages that cannot be independently verified; instead, we point you to the same public BLS data any employer or career counselor would use, so you can evaluate a track on its real market merits before enrolling.
Compare tracks and find the right starting point for your goals.
Browse coursesFrequently asked questions
Which IT career pays the most?+
Among common entry-to-mid IT career tracks, software developers had the highest median annual wage in the US as of May 2024 ($133,080), followed closely by database architects ($135,980) and information security analysts ($124,910), according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay varies significantly by location, employer, seniority, and specialization.
Which IT career is growing the fastest?+
Data scientist roles are projected to grow 34% from 2024 to 2034, and information security analyst (cybersecurity) roles are projected to grow 29% over the same period — both far faster than the 4% average projected growth for all US occupations, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Is cybersecurity or data science a better career choice?+
Both show strong, well-above-average projected growth (29% and 34% respectively, 2024-2034) and strong median pay ($124,910 and $112,590). The better fit depends on your interests: cybersecurity suits people who enjoy investigation, monitoring, and defense; data science suits people who enjoy statistics, programming, and building models. See our direct comparison for a fuller breakdown.
Are network administrator jobs declining?+
Yes — the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% decline in network and computer systems administrator roles from 2024 to 2034, as cloud platforms automate much of the on-premises infrastructure work this role traditionally covered. Skills in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and automation are a more resilient long-term bet than traditional on-prem network administration.
Where does this salary and growth data come from?+
All figures on this page are drawn directly from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, using May 2024 median annual wage data and 2024-2034 employment projections — the same source economists and career counselors use. We link to the source page for every occupation so you can verify the numbers yourself.