How Your Salary Stacks Up Against Other IT Pros

by Don E. Sears

1-3 Years: $51,6484-6 Years: $55,8387-9 Years: $58,86410 or More Years: $69,358??íJobs in this category encompass business analysts, business intelligence experts, data mining extractors, and anyone bridging the gap between data as a resource for business use and IT. Companies that hire data analysts include Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems.??í

1-3 Years: $65,0794-6 Years: $74,0047-9 Years: $87,64310 or More Years: $93,440??íOracle, SQL Server and Sybase are the major players here, with Oracle DBAs being highly sought after skill sets, but it never hurts to have your Windows-based certifications in SQL Server with some Sybase on the side. SQL Server is still a major technology in Windows-based data centers and server farms. Companies that hire DBAs include Fiserv and Intel.

1-3 Years: $74,5664-6 Years: $84,6097-9 Years: $89,56610 or More Years: $101,286??íHardware manufacturing took a beating during the recession, but the semiconductor business is still one of the most competitive fields in technology. Processors, microchips and intelligent design are mainstays of a global field. Companies that hire hardware engineering skills include Agilent Technologies and Nvidia.

1-3 Years: $59,4454-6 Years: $64,7347-9 Years: $71,61410 or More Years: $74,894??íCapturing user requirements and complex application capabilities into workable frameworks, IT analysts help translate between business needs and technology architecture. Companies that hire IT analysts include Accenture and Citigroup Global Markets.

1-3 Years: $46,7554-6 Years: $55,5167-9 Years: $57,50010 or More Years: $60,667??íGlobal business cannot get done without network infrastructure management. Perhaps a company outsources this to a major telecommunications company, or perhaps it does it on its own. At the heart of it are routing, switching and network traffic management, with Cisco at the top of the technology heap. Companies that hire network administrators include NetBasis and IBM.

1-3 Years: $60,0644-6 Years: $69,1237-9 Years: $75,40210 or More Years: $79,903??íTo manage networking infrastructure a company needs network design and architecture. This is where network engineering plays its role. Companies that hire network engineers include Verizon and Raytheon.

1-3 Years: $89,7194-6 Years: $95,9907-9 Years: $103,27310 or More Years: $108,607??íWorking closely between product marketing, the line of business department and IT, product managers are the soup to nuts of developing, releasing and supporting products whether they be in technology or not. Product managers focus on customer requirements and work closely with software development teams, IT architects, and marketing and sales teams to help products succeed in a business. Companies that hire product managers include Nokia Siemens Network and Intuit.

1-3 Years: $70,2184-6 Years: $78,4597-9 Years: $85,83210 or More Years: $95,990??íTime, cost and effort—these are the key management principles of project management, and in technology circles where IT project failure rates are high, project management is an important skill set in helping companies keep costs in line and projects on schedule. Companies that hire project managers include Oracle and Adobe.

1-3 Years: $70,7564-6 Years: $78,0217-9 Years: $86,29610 or More Years: $91,964??íSoftware design, software development, software testing and quality assurance all fall under the arena of software engineering. Programming and coding could be a part of this, but more likely a software engineer spends effort on the design and functionality of the end product. Companies that hire software engineers include Symantec and Apple.

1-3 Years: $54,0224-6 Years: $62,2777-9 Years: $67,44310 or More Years: $72,096??íWhether it is Unix, Linux or Windows, system administration is a core information technology practice that combines infrastructure, applications and operating system management with distinct problem-solving ability. Systems require human management, and systems administrators are key personnel in any IT department, who manage technology resources and direct activity. Companies that hire systems administrators include CA and Affiliated Computer Services.

1-3 Years: $56,9374-6 Years: $65,3447-9 Years: $72,93610 or More Years: $75,134??íSystems analysts look at IT architecture and seek to optimize computing environments based on cost and efficiency needs – and based on technologies already in use. Many systems analysts consult to companies that don’t have the in-house expertise to design systems. Companies that hire systems analysts include Abacus Technologies and Satyam.

1-3 Years: $68,4444-6 Years: $75,4297-9 Years: $85,03110 or More Years: $92,482??íSystems engineers have many of the same qualities of systems administrators and systems analysts, but the approach may be more scientific and will most likely include aspects of technical process and management process. First there is systems design, then there is systems management: Systems engineers design it all. Companies that hire systems engineers include iRobot and General Dynamics.

1-3 Years: $61,3824-6 Years: $65,3037-9 Years: $72,95510 or More Years: $82,425??íMost IT departments have support contracts with their vendors, and in the case of some complex pieces of equipment, IT may have to call into their vendors or other service providers for technical support in setting up systems, fixing a lingering technical problem or replacing technical equipment. Companies that hire technical support engineers include 3PAR and EMC.