Best Jobs for Computer Science
Majors by Salary Potential
Tyler Thomas/ Instructor: Howard Fish
CSIS 1030
Thesis Statement
Most Americans want a high paying stable career, for this reason, I have
listed five of the top paying computer science careers in the workforce today.
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 1 of 8
Introduction
Many Americans are working from paycheck to paycheck, there is a monumental need to
find a career that will give someone the kind of life they have always dreamed of. It is a balance
of loving what they do, making enough money to support their family, and still have enough time
for the things they enjoy doing. This is why I will research and find the five best jobs for
Computer Science majors by their earning potential. According to Business Insider and using a
database from [Link] the five top salaried positions in the Computer Science Industry
are: Applications Development Manager; Solutions Architect; IT Manager; Software Architect;
and Software Development Manager.
Body
No. 5: Applications Development Manager. The median salary is $120,000 for this career.
(Business Insider 2016). The applications development manager performs work in planning,
assigning and directing computer applications program design, development and
implementation. (Society for Human Resource Management 2016). There are currently 263 job
openings on the Glassdoor database.
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 2 of 8
The person with the Applications Develop Manager title plans, assigns and directs
the activities of professional and technical personnel involved in the design, development
and systems analysis functions required to create new computer applications programs or
install and implement software purchased from outside vendors.
They review and analyze existing applications programs and programs in
development to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of those programs; review requests
for program changes required to meet needs of city departments required by the addition
of new programs. They conduct meetings with senior level city employees to determine
data processing requirements based on new project priorities. They would also provide
technical information required in the preparation of annual budget figures for the
Applications Development Division, including needs for upgrading hardware and
software and resources needed to ensure timely response to needs of user departments.
(Society for Human Resource Management 2016).
This person would work a full-time position. 40 hours a week. They also might be
asked to travel to other sites, but is primarily local during the business day.
To achieve the $120,00 salary, one would need: a bachelors degree in Computer
Sciences; four years of technical experience, and two years of supervisory experience.
Six years all together of work outside of a four-year degree. A masters degree is
preferred for this position as well.
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 3 of 8
No. 4: Solutions Architect. The median salary for this position is $120,000. (Business
Insider 2016) The solutions architect is responsible for solution design, evaluation and
implementation. There are currently 2,838 job openings on the Glassdoor database.
The Solutions Architect job duties are to: review inventory of the current production
infrastructure using automated tools or customer supplied information; identify currently owned
software assets; discuss projected growth rates, and review current storage change control
procedures. Interface with clients relative to Internal audit methods; product needs and make
recommendations; identify short-term and long-term target storage architectures, make
recommendations; work with customer to communicate and track system dependencies. Install
and configure vendor hardware and software products across a variety of host environments;
configure complex software implementations with customized criteria tailored for the specific
customers environment; perform knowledge transfer and training for customer. (Society for
Human Resource Management 2016)
This is primarily a local business job, but some travel may be required. A four-year
Computer Science degree is required and a minimum of 5-7 years of technical experience to
reach the $120,000 earning potential. (Society for Human Resource Management 2016)
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 4 of 8
No. 3: IT Manager, the median salary is: $120,000. (Business Insider 2016) This career
is a little more broad than the others and can have a lot more responsibility, and of course with
this broad spectrum there are 3,152 jobs posted on Glassdoor for this position
It is their role is to ensure the streamlined operation of the IT department in alignment
with the business objectives of the organization. The IT manager will plan, coordinate, direct and
design IT-related activities of the organization, as well as provide administrative direction and
support for daily operational activities of the IT department. They will work closely with
decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement and support
cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization. They will also define and
implement IT policies, procedures and best practices. (Society for Human Resource Management
2016).
Like most all tech jobs this will be in a professional environment and they will work from
an office, but also may have some travel involved. They will work 40 or more hours per week.
A bachelors degree is required and a masters degree is preferred along with six years of
experience to reach the $120,000 earning potential. (Society for Human Resource Management
2016)
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 5 of 8
No. 2: Software Architect, has a median salary of $128,250 and there are 655 job
openings for this position on Glassdoor. A software architect designs complex computer
software. (Business Insider 2016)
A software architect Ensure that new systems are built in a way that best ensures that
functional requirements are met whilst also ensure that service qualities (Performance,
scalability, extensibility) for now and for the future are achievable. Review and improve on
existing systems, making use of new technologies and methodologies to seek continual
improvement for existing systems. Provide high level guidance and direction on project work,
making sure that new projects fit in with an overall strategic vision. (David Cornish (Technical
Architect, JPMorgan, London, UK)
The software architect can go to an office, but lately many of them have been working
from home, making it a better environment for balancing family life. They would work full-time
and would not have to travel unless something unexpected came up.
A bachelors degree is required with a minimum of 7 years in a technical equivalent field.
They will have to lead teams and communicate with the highest levels of a company. ([Link]
2015)
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 6 of 8
No. 1: Software Development Manager, the median salary is $132,000. A software
development manager manages a software project from the design phase through completion,
and there are 3,495 job openings in the industry right now according to Glassdoor. (Business
Insider 2016)
The Software Development Manager: exercises independent judgment and discretion in overall
project management by prioritizing, planning and tracking project progress. They design,
develop and modify programs, including prototypes; research product development options and
provide analysis for product direction; consult with internal departments to identify customer
needs and include into project objectives; provide support regarding product development to
internal departments. They would also manage and direct four to five software developers.
(Society for Human Resource Management 2016)
Conclusion
There are many careers to choose in the Computer Science field. You have to make sure
you know what it is you are going to be doing. Money is an advantage to any career, but there
are many other things to look at. Mainly, can you see yourself doing this for the next 30-40
years? If the answer is no, do not pick that career no matter what the monetary rewards might be.
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
Page 7 of 8
References
[Author Last Name, First Name]. [Year]. [Web Page Title]. [Website title or
owner]. [Website URL] (accessed [Date accessed]).
[Graizer, Shane] [2015] [[Link]]
[Link]
[Bort, Julie] [2016] [Business Insider Magazine]
[Link]
[2016] [Society for Human Resource Management] [[Link]]
[Link]
Best Jobs for Computer Science Majors by
Salary Potential | Tyler Thomas/
Instructor: Howard Fish
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