In the world of tech, software developer jobs seem to be where the status and glamor are. But behind the scenes is an entire bracket of what is broadly called IT jobs. Though lacking the charisma of software developer jobs, IT jobs are neck and neck regarding number of jobs, pay, and sector growth. IT jobs include several job categories, but at the core are systems analysts, information security analysts, systems and network architects, and network, database, and systems administrators.
According to 2017 BLS figures, median annual pay ranged from $81,100 to $87,020 for IT administrator jobs, and $88,270 to $95,510 for IT analyst jobs. Network architect jobs tended to pay the highest, with a median annual salary of $104,650, slightly higher than software developers, which was $103,560.
Compared with a median annual salary of $37,690 for all occupations nationwide, workers in IT jobs are well-compensated. When adjusted for local cost of living, IT jobs routinely pay 2 to 3 times the local median annual salary for all occupations.
In 2016, there were approximately 1,375,000 IT jobs on parity with the 1,256,000 software developer jobs in terms of pay grade. Approximately one-half of IT jobs are systems analysts, while nearly one-third are network and systems administrators.
Information security analyst jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 28 percent over the next decade, followed by database administrators at 11 percent. The remaining core IT jobs -- systems analysts and administrators, and network architects and administrators -- can expect 6 to 9 percent growth.
And while IT jobs are plentiful nationwide, some locations are better than others for bringing home higher pay. To determine which locations offer the highest and lowest IT jobs salaries, we analyzed salary, employment, and cost-of-living data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. To facilitate equitable comparisons, the locations were ranked by adjusted median salary, which accounts for price parity, and corrects wage figures for the cost of living of each metropolitan area.
Interestingly, the majority of both the highest and lowest paying cities for IT jobs were Sun Belt cities, and pockets of the Rust Belt. The highest paying locations tend to be well-established tech centers in the New South, and Rust Belt cities with a history of strong university-industry partnerships. Eight of the highest paying cities are also state capitals. Five of the lowest paying locations are in Florida. In general, the lowest paying cities are characterized by thin IT job markets and low proximity to industries experiencing growth in IT infrastructure, including the three state capitals among the lowest paying cities. Here are the highest and lowest paying cities for IT jobs.
The Best Paying Cities for IT Jobs
1. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Median salary (adjusted): $104,287
- Median salary (unadjusted): $97,508
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $37,510
- Estimated IT jobs: 19,300
2. St. Louis, MO-IL
- Median salary (adjusted): $101,513
- Median salary (unadjusted): $92,174
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $37,910
- Estimated IT jobs: 16,620
3. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
- Median salary (adjusted): $100,094
- Median salary (unadjusted): $99,794
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $39,540
- Estimated IT jobs: 4,980
4. Raleigh, NC
- Median salary (adjusted): $99,894
- Median salary (unadjusted): $95,798
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,520
- Estimated IT jobs: 12,210
5. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Median salary (adjusted): $99,730
- Median salary (unadjusted): $88,560
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $36,220
- Estimated IT jobs: 4,590
6. Columbus, OH
- Median salary (adjusted): $99,168
- Median salary (unadjusted): $92,226
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,240
- Estimated IT jobs: 17,300
7. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Median salary (adjusted): $99,128
- Median salary (unadjusted): $94,370
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $44,660
- Estimated IT jobs: 5,550
8. Austin-Round Rock, TX
- Median salary (adjusted): $98,847
- Median salary (unadjusted): $98,748
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,610
- Estimated IT jobs: 18,610
9. Winston-Salem, NC
- Median salary (adjusted): $98,730
- Median salary (unadjusted): $87,870
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $34,000
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,970
10. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
- Median salary (adjusted): $97,943
- Median salary (unadjusted): $99,412
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $48,050
- Estimated IT jobs: 7,460
11. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Median salary (adjusted): $97,533
- Median salary (unadjusted): $93,924
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $37,960
- Estimated IT jobs: 33,250
12. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Median salary (adjusted): $97,104
- Median salary (unadjusted): $97,298
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,020
- Estimated IT jobs: 48,260
13. Richmond, VA
- Median salary (adjusted): $96,552
- Median salary (unadjusted): $92,786
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,400
- Estimated IT jobs: 9,000
14. Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA
- Median salary (adjusted): $96,486
- Median salary (unadjusted): $98,416
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $41,910
- Estimated IT jobs: 11,720
15. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
- Median salary (adjusted): $96,173
- Median salary (unadjusted): $92,230
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $39,240
- Estimated IT jobs: 22,070
The Worst Paying Cities for IT Jobs
1. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
- Median salary (adjusted): $67,031
- Median salary (unadjusted): $63,948
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $29,560
- Estimated IT jobs: 800
2. Honolulu, HI
- Median salary (adjusted): $70,428
- Median salary (unadjusted): $87,612
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $42,880
- Estimated IT jobs: 3,100
3. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Median salary (adjusted): $70,863
- Median salary (unadjusted): $67,958
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $32,120
- Estimated IT jobs: 880
4. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
- Median salary (adjusted): $71,853
- Median salary (unadjusted): $68,404
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $32,950
- Estimated IT jobs: 2,240
5. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
- Median salary (adjusted): $72,919
- Median salary (unadjusted): $72,190
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $32,690
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,130
6. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
- Median salary (adjusted): $74,003
- Median salary (unadjusted): $62,533
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $25,600
- Estimated IT jobs: 450
7. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
- Median salary (adjusted): $75,610
- Median salary (unadjusted): $81,356
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $34,670
- Estimated IT jobs: 18,820
8. Tucson, AZ
- Median salary (adjusted): $77,040
- Median salary (unadjusted): $73,804
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $34,650
- Estimated IT jobs: 2,940
9. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton, PA
- Median salary (adjusted): $77,783
- Median salary (unadjusted): $71,794
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $34,090
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,220
10. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
- Median salary (adjusted): $78,045
- Median salary (unadjusted): $72,504
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $31,840
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,600
11. Wichita, KS
- Median salary (adjusted): $79,075
- Median salary (unadjusted): $71,326
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $34,900
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,770
12. Syracuse, NY
- Median salary (adjusted): $79,140
- Median salary (unadjusted): $76,528
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $38,560
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,760
13. Jackson, MS
- Median salary (adjusted): $79,521
- Median salary (unadjusted): $71,648
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $32,950
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,850
14. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC
- Median salary (adjusted): $79,554
- Median salary (unadjusted): $71,280
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $33,380
- Estimated IT jobs: 2,950
15. Baton Rouge, LA
- Median salary (adjusted): $79,849
- Median salary (unadjusted): $74,260
- All occupations median salary (unadjusted): $35,550
- Estimated IT jobs: 1,670
Methodology & Full Results
Wage and employment data were collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics May 2017 (released March 30, 2018). The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) is conducted semiannually and collects data on wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments for about 800 occupations. Data from self-employed persons are not collected and are not included in the estimates.
For each metropolitan area, median salary (unadjusted) represents the average median value of annual wages for the core IT jobs categories, as provided by OES. All occupations median salary (unadjusted) is the annual median wage across all occupations provided by OES. Estimated IT jobs is the estimated combined total employment of the major IT jobs categories, also provided by OES.
To compute the cost-of-living adjusted figure, median salary (adjusted), the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for 2016 (updated on May 17th, 2018) was used. The figure for each metropolitan area was calculated by dividing the median salary (unadjusted) by its applicable regional price parity. Only the largest 100 metropolitan areas by population were included in the analysis.
If you are considering IT as a career path, a four-year degree is usually required, although some roles require only a two-year degree. Relevant industry experience is often highly desirable. For tips on pursuing IT jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers many helpful resources. Additionally, you can find resume templates (including ones specifically geared to IT jobs) on LiveCareer.
