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Visualizing the Best and Worst Paid Jobs in the Tech Sector (howmuch.net)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

An anonymous reader writes: We often associate the tech sector with high-paying jobs and cool offices, but it turns out that the grass is not always green on the other side. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal finance site HowMuch has created a graph that showcases the 15 best and worst paid jobs in the technology industry.

42 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. More useless salary comparisons by iotaborg · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yet again we have these useless base salary comparisons that aren't indexed to cost of living. Many in the tech industry see significant portions of income coming from bonuses and equity. Consider the bay area; $150k total comp is more like entry level software engineer these days, and AI/ML folks can pull in $300k+ from the get go.

    1. Re:More useless salary comparisons by lgw · · Score: 2

      Anything that conflated "IT" with software development is BS to begin with. I have to wonder what a "Computer Programmer" is supposed to be, as I've never seen that as an actual job title. Especially since they also have "Applications Software Developer" and "Systems Software Developer" as different jobs (and I haven't seen those titles in 20 years).

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    2. Re:More useless salary comparisons by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Anybody doing IT is going to end up doing at least a little dev. If only scripts.

      It can be an incubator, learn the hard practicals, produce enough value to live. Learn to code better. Eventually you code well enough. You _should_ have learned to code better in high school or younger, but never too late to get better, never stops, get used to it.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    3. Re:More useless salary comparisons by Darinbob · · Score: 3, Informative

      $150K is still not a typical starting salary in for programmers Silicon Valley. I'd expect that to be more common in a reasonable job for someone with10 years experience. For entry level the person is a complete unknown though with no graduate school, that's way too high to start with, except for a few companies with more cash than brains.

      There is a snag here though. What people report as good salaries rise faster than the typical yearly raise or rate of inflation. So if you're getting a decent 5% raise each year you may not be able to catch up. So people usually get the biggest boost in pay by changing jobs, because then the pay rise isn't limited to a certain percentage. Which is counter productive because it makes it hard to keep employees or get them caught up in pay.

    4. Re:More useless salary comparisons by mikael · · Score: 1

      Anything IT related, would involve system administration, setting up clusters, containers, virtual machines, managing user problems (forgotten passwords, inability to log into applications, fixing hardware).

      Computer programmer would be someone writing algorithms and scripts in Python, C, C++, assembly language to assist academic staff in their work. I've heard of scientific programmer, device driver and graphics programmers. Programmers optimize code around hardware taking into account memory layouts, DMA timing, multithreading, mutexes and other techniques. Software Engineers are more about collaborating and working out a solution to add application features at an application level. Application software developers do more time and project management but work more with network API's than working with things at a hardware level. They would be doing things like writing stock-trading applications designed to operate in multi-processor environments with built in fault redundancy.

      Research Scientists are doing work equivalent to project managers; estimating project times and costs, supervising staff (technicians), doing talks, writing papers. Same with Network architects; they estimate costs of hardware and time to install.

      This diagram really misses out on all the new jobs like AI/DNN/ML/computer vision engineers. There are also HPC system administrators.

      --
      Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
    5. Re:More useless salary comparisons by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      If you don't know a better way to do it when you finish a project, all that proves is you haven't learned anything.

      'Well enough' has to do. Nobody can go back and continuously rework, very few anyway.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  2. contracted work by sakono · · Score: 2

    companies are contracting out more and more IT support. I'm a enterprise lead printer tech, so I help techs all around the country with issues and help find solutions to many problems we run into by working with the printer hardware or software engineers. but I only pull in 41k before taxes since the printer company contracted out techs to another company. I'm seeing more and more of that happening too. it sucks.

    1. Re:contracted work by sakono · · Score: 1

      kent, wa which is basically Seattle in rent and house prices. had to get a room mate to keep living close to work where i don't need a 2hr commute one way.

    2. Re:contracted work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      this is just my opinion obviously: you should look for a new job. Not only are they paying you very poorly considering the cost of living in your area, the fact that they're outsourcing lots of work means your job security could also be in jeopardy. You have experience leading a team and working in an enterprise company, that alone should be able to get you some decent entry-level jobs making ~60k or so, regardless of your actual skill-set.

    3. Re:contracted work by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      HVAC puts you in 115 degree attics and crawl spaces with 1 cm clearance and brown recluses.

      Every day in the heat. Grunts in that job get paid because they have to be.

      Do new construction, not maintenance, if you can. Maintenance 'crawler' is a kids job, because it will wreck you if you're not a kid with no health issues.

      In the meantime, enjoy the AC.

      At least try and get a new job in support somewhere better. Maybe climb up to testing, somewhere that does dev. The fact is that if computers are just overhead, you will be overhead. Go work support somewhere that makes money with computers, doesn't even have to be directly with software development. Do a better job picking your next employer. Best time to look for a job is when you have one...no time like the present. etc

      Avoid any business that produces pure commodities. Those are always run by marketing.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:contracted work by sakono · · Score: 1

      I am looking for other jobs. been working this one to build up the worked in IT secotor for the resume, but even that has been hard finding jobs in WA that I qualify for. have applyed for a couple out of state but due to current family issue I wont really be free to move out of state untill the end of the year. But i am looking.

    5. Re:contracted work by sakono · · Score: 1

      when I was in training few years ago the techs that were directly working for the printer company were complaining about them trying to contract out all the tech spots. they were making 70-80k+ and refusing to take a drop in pay. so in house makes lots more then contracted out. but I am looking for new job. just haven't heard back is all.

    6. Re:contracted work by sakono · · Score: 1

      I would rather stay out of Cali honestly. also I'm only a little over weight normal person so doubt i'd get anything.

    7. Re:contracted work by sakono · · Score: 1

      No I know i need to work on getting out of here. my dad might last tell Christmas so while I'd love to get another job I'm currently focused on try to make the best with what little time he has. I worked fast food for 12 years before i landed this job 6 years ago. was surprised that I got treated like I was still in fast food. seems people like to look down on you no matter what job you do for them.

  3. What's in a name ? by King_TJ · · Score: 2

    I'd agree that a lot of these salary rates look approximately correct to me. But you only know so much from a job title.

    For example? According to this chart, a Network Administrator gets paid about $58,873 yet a Network and Computer Systems Administrator gets $86,430. I bet if you actually talked to a number of people who were given each of those job titles, you'd find a big mish-mash of what people holding either title actually did as job responsibilities. Arguably, someone purely doing "Network Administration" might be the one getting paid MORE, because he/she was purely responsible for high-end Cisco switches and networking gear, firewalls, etc. -- which require more specialized skills and certifications than someone just doing Windows PC workstation support or taking care of user account setup via Active Directory or what-not.

    And heck, my own job title is "Support Analyst" -- which seems to be a completely made up name, created by pulling from a couple of different job titles and pasting words together. I can't ever find a salary match for my particular title -- and I'm quite sure that was done on purpose.

    1. Re:What's in a name ? by Quirkz · · Score: 1

      At my company Network Administrator meant "server admin" and Network Engineer meant "does Cisco stuff". Didn't make a lot of sense. We also had SAN and LAN Administrators and some other odd titles. It's definitely a random mishmash, composed of history, changing management, HR policies, and the path of least resistance.

      We do have Support Analysts, though - both Tier I and Tier II, for helpdesk and site-visit type support.

      --
      The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
    2. Re:What's in a name ? by r1348 · · Score: 1

      Google's EMT?

    3. Re:What's in a name ? by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      IT job titles are indeed a mess. Often one does a little bit of lots of things such that to be accurate, you'd have to break down tasks by percentages, which would make job titles resemble URL parameters: Coding=50%, Testing=20%, Analysis=20%, Documenting=20%, AdministrativeBS=20%, Etc.

      (Adds up to more than 100% you say? It's called "undocumented overtime" :-)

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
  4. Looking at TFA's graph... by Nutria · · Score: 3, Funny

    Customer Success Representative??

    Right. And secretaries just loved it when they were "upgraded" to becoming Administrative Assistants.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
    1. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

      The most I got out of it was that you need to by physically larger to earn more money. According to the graph, smaller people make less money.

    2. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by Nutria · · Score: 1

      Men are physically larger than women, and they earn more. QED!!

      --
      "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
    3. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      Tall men earn more than short ones, on average.

      Wear elevator shoes during interviews. Even if you're tall. Every inch counts (preemptive: that's what your mom said).

      I wonder if 'Amazon women' earn more money?

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Customer Success Representative

      Are they demoted to Customer Failure Representative if they screw up?

      Where's the "Synergy Assurance Representative" on that chart? The PHB's aren't keeping up.

      I'm just being an Agitation Engineer; colloquially known as a "troll".

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    5. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by Nutria · · Score: 1

      Agitation Engineer... I like that!!!

      --
      "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
    6. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      Why do Scotsmen wear kilts? 'Cause sheep can hear a zipper a mile away, my lad!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    7. Re:Looking at TFA's graph... by mikael · · Score: 1

      They also became "Executeries" - Executive secretary.

      --
      Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  5. Another useless survey by filesiteguy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Like others have reported, this survey is pretty much useless. An IT manager making $150/year in silicon valley is on the poor side, while one in - say, Lincoln Nebraska - would be very well off.

    Same goes for the other numbers. Yes, they are relative, but do not take into account regional differences.

    --
    The Kai's Semi-Updated Website Thingy
  6. Pay went DOWN since 2000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's showing a programmer making $51.30/hour or $106,710/year (I'm assuming that's as a W-2 salary and benefits.)

    I was a programmer in 2000 making $75K with benefits or $37.50/hour. (Metro Atlanta) That's $54.88/hour in todays money that's $109,760 a year. And according that website, the cumulative rate of inflation was 46% since then.

    And the salaries for other things have fell behind too. I remember project managers getting over 90K back then.
    I wasn't in Silicon Valley or anything, either.

    I would expect much larger increases if there was truly a tech talent shortage.

    1. Re:Pay went DOWN since 2000 by HornWumpus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Put 2000 in context. The first dotcom bubble was going real strong in 2000. The most incompetent people I've ever seen warm seats were doing it in 2000, for fat bank.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    2. Re:Pay went DOWN since 2000 by Tablizer · · Score: 2

      I remember back then a good many dot-com's merely gave stock options on top of rather ordinary salaries.

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    3. Re:Pay went DOWN since 2000 by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      You can't compare bubble salaries to normal times. In 2000 we made like half a million for a three month project, and this was us 3 students with barely any experience and zero reputation. You think you could land something like that today?

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  7. Re:Why did BSD die? by macker · · Score: 1

    Too many people read the acronym as Blue Screen of Death...

    --
    (T)he (O)ld (M)an
  8. That guy that drives the septic tank pump truck? by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    He makes twice as much as I do, for pretty much the same job. I'm a software engineer.

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  9. Re:i wanna work so as comp sci engineer. by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    You could try being a stripper, but I doubt if you have the looks for it...

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  10. Re:Searched in vain for "Software Engineer"... by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    What's wrong with this picture? I still get contacts from contractor recruiters that want to pay software engineers $40/hr, significantly less than I'm already making...

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  11. Re:Info sec looks low to me by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    Uh, there are 200,000 projected job openings for information security in the next few years. Those people are going to have to come from _somewhere_.

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  12. Re:Info sec looks low to me by mikael · · Score: 1

    I guess they have knowledge of military procedures, standards, procurement processes and how the bureaucracy works (or doesn't).

    --
    Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  13. Re:New question: what is the salary of Jesus? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

    I pay my gardener 5 bucks an hour. But his name is Jose, Jesus is his brother, he's a car mechanic.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  14. Re:That is about right by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    The problem is location.
    In some places 50k is a good salary, enough to own a home and have a family. In others you are scraping by.

    If these prices are based on the national average. The numbers seem about right. I work in a City often awarded "All American City" which in general means the city is the closest to the national averages. Aka a fair representation of America on the whole.

    However if you live in the big citys or Silicon Valley where prices are way high. chances are you will be making more then 50k unless you have some real low end job. Your you really suck at your job.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  15. Innumeracy by rogerz · · Score: 1

    The fact that this ridiculous "graph" was used to present the data, instead of a simple table, tells you all that you need to know about the mathematical/statistical knowledge of the presenter. The visual format adds literally 0 information. Other commenters cover the details of the myriad fallacies. I want my 5 minutes back.

    --
    If humans are mostly water, and beer is mostly water, then humans must be mostly beer.
  16. Re:Why did BSD die? by f3rret · · Score: 2

    Well, it's sorta purple these days, so strictly speaking the blue screen is dead.

    --
    Admit nothing. Deny Everything. Make Counter-accusations.
  17. IT != Tech Sector by phaserbanks · · Score: 1

    When did "tech sector" stop including the semiconductor and electronics industries?

    Anyway here's the real list.
    Best paid: CEO
    Worst paid: Intern
    Highest hourly rate: That omniscient guy down the hall who's been with the company since before you were born.