Infrastructure involves building and maintaining all of the devices and applications that keep us connected. Careers in technology infrastructure require an understanding of networks, systems and hardware. This field also includes security and making sure systems are online and supported at all hours of the day (because no one likes your website when it's down). As remote work becomes more common, infrastructure careers are more critical to an organization's success than ever before.
Ever wonder how wifi works or why some internet connections are faster than others? Do you see the increasingly connected world as a puzzle to solve? A career in technology Infrastructure might be right for you. IT infrastructure components allow businesses, organizations and homes to function.
Infrastructure jobs are full of problem-solvers who can assist customers and solve complex behind-the-scenes issues. Infrastructure support is also used in “Internet of Things” objects — devices connected to a network, such as remote controllers, smart thermostats, wifi-enabled doorbell cameras and much more.
Both physical hardware and software networks are set up to work optimally by IT leaders and managers. All businesses and organizations can benefit from a robust, interconnected IT infrastructure.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$82k - $127k
Senior automation engineers develop automation systems (hardware and/or software) to improve the efficiency of processes and infrastructure in sectors like manufacturing, energy and food processing. Their work may also include troubleshooting and testing, and they may collaborate with frontline workers or other teams to determine ways to improve workflow. They are also expected to be knowledgeable about best practices and technical innovations.
Skills Needed
Senior automation engineers should have at least several years of experience in computer engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering following a bachelor’s degree; many senior automation engineers have a master’s degree. Successful senior automation engineers typically are skilled problem-solvers, extremely thorough, and able to work effectively with others.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$105k
Automation architects work with an organization’s IT team, leadership and key personnel to develop, optimize and implement automation strategies. They evaluate existing systems, determine what should and should not be automated, and propose applicable solutions while considering cost benefits, efficiency, customer service and other goals and factors important to the organization. They are typically also responsible for standardization and ensuring best automation practices.
Skills Needed
To become an automation architect, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is needed, and many positions require a master’s degree. Work experience in data management and automation processes, along with business operations, is usually expected for automation architect positions. Most employers will require specific industry certifications. Automation architects should have effective communication and interpersonal skills, be good at project management, and be detail-oriented.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$49k -$110k
Automation team leads oversee automations teams who test and operate automated equipment, usually in manufacturing facilities. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with company standards and projects as well as applicable reporting and record-keeping. Automation team leads are also generally responsible for identifying technical problems and finding solutions. They may also assess current operations and potential enhancements.
Skills Needed
An automation team lead usually has a bachelor’s degree, although some have a master’s degree. Employers may require specific industry certification. Automation team leads should have good interpersonal and leadership skills along with exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$105k
Consulting automation engineers are brought into an organization—usually on a temporary or per-project basis—to execute test automation systems. They may work closely with multiple departments to determine the most effective automation strategies and typically come into the position after gaining years of diverse experience in the sector. They may also be expected to help firms introduce the use of test automation.
Skills Needed
Automation engineers must have at least a bachelor’s degree plus several years of automation experience, usually in manufacturing. They should be good at problem-solving, detail-oriented, and able to work with different personality types in teams throughout an organization.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$85k - $130k
Senior-level cloud engineers introduce, develop and manage cloud platforms, which deliver computing services via the internet from storage and databases to software and analytics. Cloud engineers may be brought into an organization to help transition its computer systems and implement important internal applications such as networking and cybersecurity. They may also help an organization evaluate new cloud computing solutions or problem-solve existing concerns with cloud-based platforms.
Skills Needed
Senior-level cloud engineers will need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and will be expected to have obtained certification from the leading cloud providers along with experience working with cloud platforms. They should be strong trouble-shooters and solution-finders plus have good social competence and communication skills for teamwork.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$69k - $130k
Cloud architects lead the process that takes a project from specs to implementation via cloud technologies. Software engineers (sometimes called application developers) create, install and maintain software for individual applications. Network engineers develop, implement and update IT networks. These information technology professionals may be employed by technology companies that serve clients in a wide variety of sectors, or within an organization’s IT department.
Skills Needed
A bachelor’s degree, at minimum, is needed for these information technology positions, and most employers will also require specific technical training or industry certification. Candidates should be detail-oriented, willing to keep up with new innovations in a fast-changing sector, and have good communication skills.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$66k
Cloud security specialists see to it that systems are in place to protect a company’s data relative to its use of cloud computing. They also monitor and respond to information security threats. They may also review or develop organizational policies and procedures to support data security, or develop applications to support the security of information in a cloud-based infrastructure.
Skills Needed
Cloud security experts typically enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, and most employers require specific industry certification. Successful cloud security experts have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to communicate complex but important information effectively to workers with varying degrees of computer proficiency.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$79k
Information security analysts are responsible for assessing and addressing cybersecurity risks and developing a plan to protect a client’s data, especially in a cloud computing environment. They may also be involved in an organization’s disaster recovery plan that considers not only cyberattacks, but natural disasters that could damage or destroy devices used for data storage.
Skills Needed
Information security analysts usually need a bachelor’s degree with coursework that includes cybersecurity. IT experts may also obtain specialty training during their career. Some employers require industry-specific certification and knowledge of regulatory requirements. Successful information security analysts are critical thinkers and swift problem-solvers with exceptional attention to detail.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$64k
Incident responders serve on the front line of defense against cybersecurity threats and incidents within an organization. They are expected to recognize and quickly respond to cyberattacks or security breaches with the intent to mitigate the extent of loss or damage, and assist in the planning and execution of operations related to data recovery as well as post-incident review.
Skills Needed
Many incident responders enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, although industry certification through an associate degree program may be sufficient for some employers for this typically entry-level position. Candidates should be detail-oriented, have good communication skills, and be willing to work nontraditional hours as required by some employers.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$86k
Cybersecurity managers oversee an organization’s cybersecurity system and infrastructure. They prepare and execute response plans in the event of threat or attack, and typically also manage the team of IT employees responsible for monitoring the security of organizational data. This management position may also require training new team members.
Skills Needed
: Cybersecurity managers are generally expected to have obtained a bachelor’s degree with significant cybersecurity coursework or equivalent job experience. Some employers require only an associate degree if focused industry experience is considerable. Cybersecurity managers should have good leadership skills, be critical thinkers with extreme attentive to detail, and be able to make solid decisions under pressure.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$81k - $100k
Security consultants in the IT sector are hired by organizations to identify cybersecurity risks. They analyze computer systems, networks and software and make recommendations for measures to minimize potential threats. They may also help clients implement those measures and provide ongoing cybersecurity support.
Skills Needed
Security consultants will typically have earned a bachelor’s degree, but many will also have a master’s degree. Clients will expect extensive field experience and industry certifications. Security consultants should be excellent problem-solvers and skilled at communicating detailed information to organizational leaders who may not be well-versed in IT terms and concepts.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$98k
Ethical hackers assess an organization’s IT systems security by attempting to gain access to those systems through means associated with malicious hackers—but with full authorization of the client—in order to expose vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers also help organizations put systems in place to protect their data from potential genuine attacks.
Skills Needed
Ethical hackers will usually have earned a bachelor’s degree in an information technology field with applicable coursework, although some enter the specialty with an associate degree and significant professional experience. Ethical hackers should be able to keep sensitive information confidential, be extremely detail-oriented, and have a high degree of persistence.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$122k - $753k
Chief information officers (or CIOs) are executives who oversee a company’s IT systems and employee team. They are expected to evaluate the organization’s technology needs and spearhead the development and execution of a high-level plan to meet those needs. CIOs usually have budgeting and hiring responsibilities as well.
Skills Needed
The typical CIO has at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s degree or second degree in business. Successful CIOs have worked their way up the corporate ladder to the executive level, with increasing responsibility at every step and following years of IT experience. CIOs should be excellent team leaders with solid decision-making ability and good business sense.
Education Requirements
Associate degree
Average Salary
$88k
Network engineers are responsible for creating and managing IT networks. They may also be expected to find ways to maximize legacy networks. Network engineers may work on general systems or specialize in areas like cloud networking or wireless systems. They also typically troubleshoot and maintain equipment.
Skills Needed
Network engineers should have a bachelor’s degree, although some employers will hire network engineers with associate-degree-level education who have substantial field experience. Industry-specific certifications and experience is usually required to enter this specialty. Network engineers should be meticulous, be willing to stay abreast of IT innovations and new technologies, and have good communication skills.
Education Requirements
Associate degree
Average Salary
$40k
A computer help desk representative provides virtual or in-person IT support internally for an organization or for multiple clients through a service provider. They are usually the first point of contact for technical concerns and manage initial inquiries and document services provided. They may manage the first steps of troubleshooting and if they determine more specialized assistance is needed, help desk reps will likely facilitate the escalation process.
Skills Needed
Computer help desk representatives typically have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree along with on-the-job training and industry certifications. These positions are often considered entry-level and can lead to broader career opportunities in IT. Successful help desk reps are excellent communicators who demonstrate patience for individuals who have little technical expertise. They should be good at identifying problems quickly and guiding others through solutions.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$45k
Computer help desk specialists provide more advanced or focused technical support than help desk representatives and are usually a second or subsequent point of contact for an individual or client who is experiencing difficulty with computer software or hardware. They may assist via virtual means or face-to-face. They may also troubleshoot systems to help clients prevent future IT problems.
Skills Needed
Computer help desk specialists typically have a bachelor’s degree and many enter the field a help desk representatives. They usually have specialized training or experience working with computer hardware systems or particular computer software systems. They should have outstanding communications skills and a high degree of patience, especially if they must guide individuals through troubleshooting and tech support remotely. Help desk specialists are likely to be required to have or obtain specific industry certifications.
Education Requirements
High school diploma or GED
Average Salary
$40k - $45k
Help desk technicians provide technical support related to IT systems, hardware and software. They may be deployed by a help desk representative in response to a request for assistance and are typically perform in-depth troubleshooting for problems that cannot be quickly or easily addressed by the first point of contact.
Skills Needed
This entry-level position typically requires a high-school diploma or GED, although many employers expect an associate degree and specific industry certifications. Strong customer service skills and excellent communication abilities are hallmarks of successful help desk technicians.
Education Requirements
Associate degree
Average Salary
$37k - $57k
Network technicians manage organizational computer networks, which usually includes equipment installation, upgrading and maintenance. They monitor daily operations and network security as well as troubleshoot and resolve problems. This position is typically entry-level, so most network technicians work as part of a team that reports to a network administrator. Network technician positions may also be a first step in a broader career path.
Skills Needed
Network technicians typically have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree along with industry certifications required by the employer. Most also receive on-the-job training or have completed one or more internships. Successful network technicians have high attention to detail and are good at identifying and resolving problems.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$116k
Digital key framework engineers create frameworks to help developers build assets like websites, digital systems and apps, and these frameworks also help programmers, coders and other IT professionals do their work more easily.
Skills Needed
Digital key framework engineers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and employers are likely to require industry certifications and entry-level experience in the field. Successful IT engineers are detail-oriented and conscientious as well as innovative thinkers who aspire to be on the leading edge of technology.
Career salary data provided by: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook and O*NET OnLine.
