- Software Development Engineer II (SDE2)
- Amazon Web Services
- Atlee High School
- Hanover County Public Schools
For more information about other CTE students who have found inspiration and exciting careers within this career cluster, see Student Profiles: Information Technology.
Data Snapshot
The Data Snapshot for Information Technology (PDF) helps educators, students and parents see connections between the Plans of Study and career opportunities in high-skill, high wage, in-demand fields.
The Information Technology cluster uses your love of technology to learn how to design, develop and manage different types of software and hardware programs. Though this field requires a solid foundation in math and science as well as strong technical skills, there are careers in information technology in virtually every part of the economy.
Employment of computer and information research scientists is expected to increase. The demand for new and better technology will continue to grow, which will increase the employment of such workers. These professionals also will be needed to combat cyber-attacks, which are posing a larger threat to society. There should be a greater need for database administrators in the next decade. As companies store more data, these workers will be needed to manage the data so that analysts and stakeholders can understand it. Software developers also should see good job prospects . Mobile devices and tablets are becoming more popular, so software developers are increasingly needed to develop and upgrade mobile applications. Overall, more consumer products use software, which will drive the need for developers.
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Employment Projections: 2016-2026*
The Information Technology cluster employed approximately 192,200 Virginians in 2016 but is expected to employ about 225,200 in 2026. This increase of about 33,000 workers represents 17 percent growth over the decade, greater than the projected national average growth of 13 percent among all occupations in this cluster, based on Trailblazers analysis of information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
.
*NOTE: The methodology for classifying occupations within the cluster/pathway system has been updated since the previous data cycle (2014-24), so 2016-26 Trailblazers employment projection data may not be comparable to data from previous cycles.
For more information on occupations in the Information Technology Cluster, visit Trailblazers – Career and Technical Education in Virginia (PDF).
| Selected Occupation(s) | Employed in Virginia 2016 |
2017 Median Wage | Predominant Level of Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers, Applications | 35,803 | $106,500 | Bachelor's or more |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 27,316 | $96,450 | Bachelor's or more |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | 25,687 | $119,430 | Bachelor's or more |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 20,913 | $53,090 | Bachelor's or more |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
19,603 | $89,990 | Bachelor's or more |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 13,303 | $104,270 | Bachelor's or more |
| Information Security Analysts | 11,725 | $105,550 | Bachelor's or more & Work experience |
| Computer Network Architects | 10,464 | $116,380 | Bachelor's or more & Work experience |
| Computer Programmers | 9,373 | $93,090 | Bachelor's or more |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 7,623 | $69,390 | Bachelor's or more |
- Wage data: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2017.
- Employment projections data: Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Long-Term Occupational Projections, 2016-2026.
- Predominant education level: Trailblazers through the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
Career Cluster Planning
A resource for counselors, administrators, and educators
CTE VERSO – includes information to help local school divisions plan and schedule instructional programs. VERSO is organized by program area, with a complete listing of courses, concentration sequences, and credentials available to students as they plan for career entry and continuing education. Users may access course information by cluster or by searching for specific courses or certifications.
Academic and Career Plans of Study
Development Information
Information and tips for instructional leaders, administrators, counselors and teachers/faculty for creating a career pathway academic and career plan of study.
- Information Technology Cluster Information
- Checklist for Developing Career Clusters Plans of Study (Word)
Sample Academic and Career Plans of Study
School divisions are asked to develop sample plans of study based on the courses offered within their schools, the employment needs of the region, and the post-high school educational opportunities needed for these careers. Once these sample plans are developed, they can be customized to the needs of individual students so that all students have the opportunity to have an individualized academic and career plan of study.
Sample Pathway Plans of Study for Information Technology:
- Information Support & Services (Word)
- Network Systems (Word)
- Programming & Software Development (Word)
- Web & Digital Communications (Word)
- Blank Plan of Study (with fields) (Word)
Also see Sample Plans of Study for all clusters and pathways.
Cluster Analysis Document for Virginia
Report-This is a PDF document.: Education, Employment and Earnings: Analyzing Data from Information Technology
Nontraditional Careers: Occupational and Employment Information
Current research relative to employment sectors and information on occupation supply and demand. The information is presented in two formats: a summary brief and a detailed report.
- Executive Summary – Information Technology in Virginia (PDF)
- Information Technology in Virginia (PDF)
Resources
- Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals
- Center for Innovative Technology
- Association of Information Technology Professionals
The Career Clusters logo and its extensions are the property of the National Career Technical Foundation, as managed by NASDCTEc. Some content on this page is from the publication, R U College & Career Ready? - 2017 Edition; and is used here with permission from the Virginia Business Publications LLC and Trailblazers in the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.