Top 5 Reasons to Work in the Tech Industry Today

Taking Tech Classes Could Be the Best Career Decision You Make

Do you wonder if your career could be growing faster? With information technology skills, there’s a good chance it could.

Few fields are growing faster or more consistently than IT. Over the last year, virtually every working professional has become more reliant on technology to perform everyday business tasks. The recent pandemic has accelerated digitization and added to the already growing demand for IT jobs. Many companies create new tech roles in diverse industries every day — jobs in sectors you are already passionate about. Moving into a tech role could jumpstart your career.

Here are the top reasons to add technology skills to your resume:

1. Entry-Level Tech Workers Make Upwards of $50,000 on Average

According to Glassdoor’s data from 10,157 salaries, the average base pay for entry-level tech roles is $48,885/yr! That’s a great place to start, and it only goes up as you gain experience.

Some of the highest-paying jobs are in technology. Even an entry-level role like Computer Support Specialist can expect a median salary of $54,760 (or $26/hr). As you develop skills and experience, your salary has enormous growth potential. Starting an entry-level IT job now can pay off in the long run.

While many tech workers are salaried, there is a growing “gig economy” in the tech sector. For tech occupations, the median hourly wage was $38.90. Hourly technology positions can offer a trade-off for the benefits of salaried jobs in the form of flexibility.

2. You Can Start Right Away

Many professions require several years of specialized training to start a career. Due to the practical nature of information technology work, experience and certifications tend to be valued more highly than multi-year degrees. Degrees will help you reach senior roles in management, but your new career can start very quickly. In as little as two weeks of classes, you could be studying for your first IT certification.

3. Huge Growth Potential of 11-12% by 2026

As the economy continues to shift from the production of goods to data management and digital assets, information technology jobs become critical. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported growth rates of 8% for Computer Support Specialists and 10% for Computer and Information Systems Managers for 2019-2029. The Bureau considers both of these rates “much faster than average” job growth. In 2019 alone, the tech industry added 307,000 new jobs to the economy.

4. Over One Million IT and Cyber Security Positions Will Need to Be Filled in the U.S. by 2026

Now is the time to get into IT. Opportunities are great now, and they’re predicted to grow fast. According to CompTIA Cyberstates, “When factoring in the need to replace retiring or career-change workers, the total potential tech workforce need will exceed 1.2 million through 2026.“

The increasing need for cybersecurity is a massive factor in technology job growth. The need for robust security measures for our networks and data only grows as our lives continue to migrate online. With every passing year, the need to protect our voting systems, financial infrastructure, and communications networks only grow. The US government has made its commitment to cybersecurity clear with Directive 8570/8140, and American businesses are making their commitment clear with more job roles and increased spending on security.

5. Tech Workers are Needed in Nearly Every Industry

According to the Cyberstates 2020 report, over half (53%) of technology professionals are employed by companies outside of the tech industry. Nearly every modern company needs to use information technology to conduct business. To manage and secure these devices and networks, companies from almost every sector are hiring IT positions.

So, what does this mean for you? It means that you can find a lucrative job working in the fields that interest you. It also means excellent job security because there are so many options to choose from in so many various industries.

Why Work in the Tech Industry?

The reasons listed above, yeah, but more importantly, because it’s easy to make the switch! A few certifications can get you started in a matter of weeks.

ACI Learning Tech Academy offer accelerated training courses to give you the skills and hands-on experience you need to take your certification exams and excel at a new job. Our IT certification prep courses generally take two weeks and are taught by industry-expert instructors that can answer your questions while you learn. The combination of lectures and labs lets you build the confidence you need to take the exam and secure a new position to build a more robust career. You'll have 1-on-1 support from our Career Services team to get a great start in the industry.

If you’re interested in learning more about accelerated IT training, we’re ready to help! Schedule a time to meet with one of our expert Career Training Consultants and learn how these programs can take your career to the next level.