DBA
Entry-level salary: $59,000 Average salary: $102,446 Although 60 percent of DBAs have a bachelor’s degree, 16 percent have an associate’s degree and 20 percent have some college, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. Demand exceeds supply, with U.S. News & World Report ranking the DBA profession as the fifth-best IT job and the twelfth overall best professional job in America. If you’re looking for more reasons to throw your hat in the ring, consider that the average salary for DBA’s topped $100,000 in Dice’s annual survey. Check out the latest DBA jobs.Associate Software Engineer
Entry-level salary: $59,252 Average salary: $81,951 Software engineers are in high demand and often command six-figure salaries, but it may take more than four years (and potentially a lot of money) to complete the rigorous coursework. A less-costly two-year degree is a viable alternative. The average pay for a mid-career associate software engineer is over $81,000, according to PayScale. If you do get an associate’s degree, you can pick up additional experience on the job and move into a higher-level position. Check out the latest associate software engineer jobs.Programmer
Entry-level salary: $49,975 Average salary: $82,206 You can become a programmer either with an associate’s degree, or by mastering the fundamentals on your own and earning one or two key certifications. It’s possible to command an even bigger paycheck if you learn a red-hot programming language. Only about 50 percent of programmers hold a bachelor's degree and another 20 percent have taken some college courses. Check out the latest programmer jobs.Web Developer
Entry-level salary: $49,000 Average salary: $76,774 Web developer was called one of the hardest tech jobs to recruit for in North America by Wanted Analytics; the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts continued growth through 2022. Your initial outlay could be very, very low if you have a creative eye and are adept at self-study. Around 43 percent of Web developers have a four-year degree, while 20 percent have an associate’s degree; many are self-trained. Check out the latest Web developer jobs.Software Developer
Entry-level salary: $61,000 Average salary: $90,000+ Although the average salary for newbie software developers comes in at around $61,000 per year, overall cash earnings for entry-level software developers range from $41,000 on the low end to near $89,000 at the top, according to PayScale. The heftiest packages can include bonuses and profit-sharing, which means you could potentially recoup your educational costs in just a few years. Although 50 percent of software developers have a bachelor’s degree, 8.5 percent have some college, and 5.1 percent have an associate’s degree. Check out the latest software developer jobs. IT Jobs With the Worst ROIGraphic Designer
Entry-level salary: $37,559 Average salary: $52,448 A whopping 81 percent of graphic designers hold a bachelor’s degree, yet the average pay is just $52,000 per year. These jobs not only require artistic talent and knowledge of numerous creative software platforms, but also experience with SQL, HTML, and JavaScript. Plus, many graphic designers are self-employed freelancers, so they have to foot the entire bill for their benefits and payroll taxes. Check out the latest graphic designer jobs.Software QA Tester
Entry-level salary: $51,322 Average salary: $51,322 No, that’s not a misprint. Experience has a modest effect on income for professionals in the software-testing field, where 64 percent hold a bachelor’s degree, 14 percent have an associate’s degree and 9 percent have a master’s degree. It’s probably best to view a role in software testing as a stepping-stone to greater things. Check out the latest QA jobs.Systems Administrator
Entry-level salary: $50,689 Average salary: $73,690 You usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering, along with several certifications, to work as a systems administrator. And while the pay isn’t bad, it’s near the bottom of the stack when compared to other IT jobs with similar educational requirements. Check out the latest systems administrator jobs.Help Desk
Entry-level salary: $38,710 Average salary: $43,210 Any way you slice it, most technical support positions offer limited growth, low entry-level salaries and a poor ROI. Roughly 29 percent of help desk specialists have a bachelor’s degree, 18 percent have an associate’s degree and 22 percent have some college but no degree. Collectively, that represents a substantial investment in education for a very low return. Check out the latest help desk jobs.Upload Your ResumeEmployers want candidates like you. Upload your resume. Show them you're awesome.
