Information Technology Specialist Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
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The following article discusses the career path of Information Technology Specialist. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Information Technology Specialists.

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Information Technology Specialist Job Duties

Information technology specialists work with various technological products. They can be involved in any part of this, from design to repair and maintenance. Often, they are called in to support operations within the business when there are issues with hardware or software, with databases or with programs.

Information technology specialists also often line manage and train other employees. For instance, if a new software package is installed, they will train managers on how to properly use it. These specialists are also committed to lifelong learning, as information technology changes faster than most people can keep up with.

Other job duties of an information technology specialist include:

  • Holding responsibility for the upkeep of computer servers, systems, and networks, including its maintenance, management, repair, security, and upgrade
  • Supporting others within the organization with web applications and software packages
  • Resolving hardware and software issues
  • Developing and setting up new data services, including printers, computers, and telephones
  • Ensuring that all information technology products are installed and maintained properly

Where Information Technology Specialist’s Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 198,800 computer network support specialists in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 18%
  • Wired telecommunications carriers: 10%
  • Finance and insurance: 8%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 6%
  • Data processing, hosting, and related services: 4%

Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has also reported that there were 636,600 computer user support specialists in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 21%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private: 12%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 5%
  • Temporary help services: 4%
  • Software publishers: 3%

How to Become an Information Technology Specialist

There are some information technology specialists who only have certifications in certain IT-related issues. Others have undergraduate or even graduate degrees. The employer will determine which educational standards they expect and the larger the organization, the more likely that they will expect a graduate degree. Majors include computer science, mathematics, and engineering.

Information Technology Specialist Education Requirements

Information technology specialists have varying levels of education. Computer knowledge is obviously very important, but this does not always mean a college education is required. Many start by completing some computer-related courses, perhaps holding an associate’s degree.

If someone were to find work for a software company, however, it is likely that they will need to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. The same is true for more technical roles. Many information technology specialists have degrees in computer science, information science, or engineering, for instance. It is generally more important that these specialists keep their knowledge up to date in relation to software updates.

Different vendors, as well as a number of neutral certification providers, offer certificates that may be relevant to information technology specialists. While not generally a requirement, these certificates do validate someone’s skills and knowledge. Some companies, therefore, require their specialists to be certified in certain areas.

Information technology specialists also have many advancement opportunities available to them, including computer systems administrator, network administrator, or software developer. Others take on positions of management, and others move into sales.

Information Technology Specialist Traits & Qualities

The most effective information technology specialists have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Great listening skills and being able to hear even what isn’t being said
  • Strong problem solving skills
  • Excellent speaking skills, being able to adapt language used to the audience
  • Writing skills
  • Computer skills
  • Technical skills

Minimum Education Information Technology Specialist

Bachelor’s Degree

National Information Technology Specialist Salary

The national average salary estimate for Information Technology Specialist was $73,668. This number is estimated from over 1,237,324 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $38.37 and monthly of $6,139.

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$18,000

$167,000

Salary Distribution

Information Technology Specialist Salary by State

The following section lists Information Technology Specialist salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $101,398 while Wyoming had the smallest quoted salary of $33,062.

AlaskaIowaMissouriRhode Island
AlabamaIdahoMississippiSouth Carolina
ArkansasIllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth Dakota
ArizonaIndianaNebraskaTennessee
CaliforniaKansasNew JerseyTexas
ColoradoKentuckyNew MexicoUtah
ConnecticutLouisianaNevadaVirginia
DCMassachusettsNew YorkVermont
DelawareMarylandOhioWashington
FloridaMaineOklahomaWisconsin
GeorgiaMichiganOregonWest Virginia
HawaiiMinnesotaPennsylvaniaWyoming
Alaska – $78,380Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Navy, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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$18,000

$181,000

Salary Distribution
Alabama – $69,674Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Army Corps of Engineers, United States Department Of Defense, Federal Government Jobs, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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$19,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $61,029Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UST Global, U.S. Air Force, Department of Justice, and U.S. Army.

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$21,000

$122,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $64,558Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Judicial Branch, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of the Interior.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
California – $71,000Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice, United States Department Of Defense, and U.S. Department of State.

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$20,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $68,224Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Transportation Security Administration.

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$17,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $57,260Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CONNECTICUT AIRPORT AUTHORITY, Material Handling Equipment Dealer, PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, and Land Rover Farmington Valley.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $101,398Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like US Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Energy, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Department of State – Agency Wide.

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$36,000

$198,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $58,950Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BHL.

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$17,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $58,006Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UST Global, HR Answers, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$14,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $69,683Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Request Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department Of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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$16,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii – $63,841Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army.

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$18,000

$136,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $73,405Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Transportation – Full Time / Permanent, and Department of Agriculture.

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$24,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $68,523Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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$22,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $68,595Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

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$18,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $57,515Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UST Global, U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, and AppleTree Staffing.

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$19,000

$115,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $57,045Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and Kansas State University Olathe.

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  • Most Reported
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$14,000

$136,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $48,899Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army.

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$14,000

$113,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $58,095Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy, Agriculture, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Air Force.

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$14,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $61,356Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Air Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Wellington Management Company LLP.

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$14,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $92,297Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, and NASA.

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$30,000

$188,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $72,037Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy and Department of Homeland Security.

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$25,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $58,233Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, Oakland University, and Unites States Army – Government.

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$9.85

$61.75

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $58,560Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Minnesota and Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

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$9.60

$62.95

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $69,369Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of State, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$22,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $78,819Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army and Department of Homeland Security.

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$24,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $60,903Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Synechron, UST Global, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Department of State.

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$15,000

$136,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $51,325Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nebraska Medical Center, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Mid-Plains Community College.

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$15,000

$109,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $60,888Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Biopharmaceutical Client, New Jersey Department of Education, U.S. Army, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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$14,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $61,454Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Army.

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$23,000

$118,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $59,921Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and College of Southern Nevada.

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$18,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $64,404Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Government, Attorney General, Office of the, Department of Transportation, and U.S. Department of State.

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$17,000

$142,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $65,824Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IBM, U.S. Air Force, and Air Force Acquisition.

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$14,000

$166,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $51,595Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, and U.S. Army.

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$16,000

$107,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $58,230Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Chemeketa Community College, State of Oregon, and Department of Agriculture.

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  • Most Reported
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$16,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $54,834Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UST Global, Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, U.S. Department of State, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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$14,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island – $69,399Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy and Department of Homeland Security.

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$21,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $56,529Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, and U.S. Army.

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  • Most Reported
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$14,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $56,054Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$20,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $63,645Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Synechron, Indian Health Service, and Department of Energy.

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$19,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $60,643Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Government, Judicial Branch, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology.

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$14,000

$144,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $60,992Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of State, Indian Health Service, National Guard, and U.S. Air Force.

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$19,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $88,093Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Credit Union Administration, U.S. Government, Secretary of the Navy/Assistant for Administration (DON/AA), and U.S. Department of Commerce.

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$26,000

$185,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $33,696Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Vermont.

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$7.85

$31.00

Salary Distribution
Washington – $63,876Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WA State Department of Health, Washington State Government, Washington State Health Care Authority, and State of Washington.

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$2,500

$9,100

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $57,495Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, and University of Wisconsin–Madison.

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$18,000

$118,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia – $77,831Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Army, and Internal Revenue Service.

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$24,000

$162,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $33,062Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sweetwater County School District #1.

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$8.60

$25.95

Salary Distribution

Top 20 Information Technology Specialist National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Information Technology Specialist. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary
US Securities and Exchange Commission Information Technology SpecialistDC$152,612
NASA Information Technology SpecialistMaryland$134,370
ClearedConnections Information Technology SpecialistMaryland$130,000
Western Area Power Administration Information Technology SpecialistArizona$129,463
National Credit Union Administration Information Technology SpecialistVirginia$128,012
Department of Energy Information Technology SpecialistDC$127,270
Los Angeles County Information Technology SpecialistCalifornia$126,700
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Information Technology SpecialistDC$126,477
U.S. Government Information Technology SpecialistVirginia$124,170
Department of State – Agency Wide Information Technology SpecialistDC$121,560
Offices, Boards and Divisions Information Technology SpecialistDC$119,052
Department of Labor Information Technology SpecialistColorado$117,333
Secretary of the Navy/Assistant for Administration (DON/AA) Information Technology SpecialistVirginia$116,902
Legislative Branch Information Technology SpecialistDC$116,629
Federal Government Jobs Information Technology SpecialistDC$116,318
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Information Technology SpecialistDC$116,299

Information Technology Specialist Learn More

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Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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