Best Computer Science Jobs
Updated August 29, 2023
Reviewed by
Credit: Morsa Images / Stone / Getty Images
The computer science field offers many high-paying positions for people pursuing a new or different role in tech. The best computer science job for you may depend on where you are in your career trajectory or education journey.
The computer science field can be an attractive choice at any point in someone's career. This growing sector offers plenty of opportunities for people with varying levels of professional experience and educational attainment.
Keep reading to learn about the top computer science jobs. Our list of computer science jobs includes sections for early-career, midcareer, and late-career professionals. We've also created a special section dedicated to the best computer science jobs for people switching careers.
Where Are You in Your Career?
There are excellent computer science jobs available at all experience levels, from people just starting out in tech to seasoned professionals.
- New professional: New professionals generally have less than five years' experience in the field. This category includes recent college graduates. New professionals are usually still in the beginning phases of developing hard and soft skills and expertise.
- Midcareer professional: Midcareer professionals hold 5-9 years of relevant experience. Typically many years past college graduation, these workers have strong hard and soft skills.
- Late-career professional: People with 10 or more years in the field are late-career professionals. They often hold specialized expertise and advanced knowledge. Many have management or administrative experience and may qualify for senior-level positions.
Career-switchers — people entering the tech industry from a different field — may not fit neatly into any of these categories. Which jobs they qualify for depends on their education level and whether their previous career developed transferable skills that apply to the computer science field.
Below, we describe some of the best computer science jobs for people with different professional experience levels.
Best Computer Science Jobs for New Professionals
Web Developer
Web developers create websites. Frequent duties include writing code, creating navigation menus, and designing website interfaces. Entry-level web developer positions typically do not require previous relevant work experience, making this job a good choice for new computer science professionals.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree (preferred)
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +23%
- Median Annual Salary: $78,300
Software Developer
Software developers create applications and programs that allow computers to complete set tasks. Common employers include the computer systems design, finance and insurance, and software publishing industries. These developers can advance to become project management specialists overseeing the software development process.
Video Game Designer
Video game designers create games for a variety of devices, including computers and video game consoles. They develop game concepts, characters, storylines, and rules. They write code and may create graphics and visual effects. These designers need programming, software development, and problem-solving skills.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree (preferred)
- Job Outlook (2021-31): Not available
- Average Annual Salary: $66,870
Best Computer Science Jobs for Midcareer Professionals
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts specialize in cybersecurity. They protect their organization's computer systems and networks by organizing and carrying out security measures. Major employers include the computer systems design, finance and insurance, and information industries. These professionals enjoy high job market demand.
Database Administrator
Database administrators develop and oversee systems that contain data. Many work for insurance companies, educational institutions, and the computer systems design industry. Frequent duties include building new databases, backing up data, analyzing user needs, and ensuring database accuracy.
Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree. Advancement opportunities include database architect and computer and information systems manager.
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Network and computer systems administrators supervise the daily operations of computer networks. They make system upgrades, provide user training, optimize networks, and troubleshoot problems. They often work in the information, educational services, and computer systems design industries.
Network and computer systems administrators can get promotions to roles like computer network architect or computer and information systems manager.
Software Developer
Software developers design computer programs and applications. Typical tasks include recommending software upgrades and analyzing computer users' needs. Software developers work closely with computer programmers. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree.
Best Computer Science Jobs for Late-Career Professionals
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and information systems managers oversee and plan computer-related activities and policies at their organizations. Many people late in their career have acquired the skills, knowledge, and experience to qualify for management and administrative positions. These roles typically provide excellent salaries.
Data Scientist
Data scientists analyze problems and answer questions by collecting and assessing data. They need skills in big data analytics, data mining, machine learning, and programming. Many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree.
- Required Education: Bachelor's or master's degree
- Job Outlook (2021-31): Not available
- Average Annual Salary: $97,610
Computer and Information Research Scientist
Computer and information research scientists study computing. They use computers and other technologies to solve problems in society. Typical employers include the computer systems design and scientific research and development sectors. These scientists may also work for the federal government.
Best Computer Science Jobs for Career-Switchers
Web Developer
Web developers need programming, UX/UI, design, and SEO skills. This is a good role for career switchers, because most positions do not require prior web development experience. Although employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree, many will hire candidates who can prove their skills through prior projects or by completing a web development bootcamp.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree (preferred)
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +23%
- Median Annual Salary: $78,300
Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists assist computer users and maintain computer networks. Education requirements vary, but employers typically hire based on skills, making this a good choice for career-switchers. Computer support specialists can advance to other positions like software developer, information security analyst, and network and computer systems administrator.
Health Information Technician
Health information technicians maintain and protect patient health data. They work in medical facilities and for insurance agencies. Health information technicians need medical data entry and computer software support skills, along with medical terminology knowledge. Becoming a health information technician can be a good first job in tech for someone with previous healthcare industry experience.
- Required Education: Associate degree
- Job Outlook (2021-31): Not available
- Average Annual Salary: $44,980
Where to Find the Top Computer Science Jobs
Job-seekers at any career stage can pursue computer science jobs that fit their experience levels. To find the top computer science jobs, consider asking mentors or colleagues for recommendations, joining professional groups, and attending job fairs. Consult the job boards below to discover potential opportunities.
TechFetch
Based in Virginia, TechFetch receives thousands of new tech job postings each day. Job-seekers can search for computer science jobs in areas like database development, data warehousing, and mobile development.
Dice
This tech job board receives more than 1,000 new job postings a day. Users can filter their searches by characteristics like full time versus part time, distance, and employer type.
Indeed
One of the most popular job boards online, Indeed receives more than 250 million visitors each month. Job-seekers can search open positions for free. The site lists jobs of all kinds, including tech roles.
Hired
This job board matches job-seekers with employers. Hired lets users upload a resume and create a profile so that companies can contact them for an interview.
Remote Tech Jobs
This site aggregates remote computer science jobs from 11 other job boards including Indeed and Remotive. Search by categories like digital marketing, Python, and iOS.
Additional Resources
FAQ About Jobs in Computer Science
What is the highest-paying job in computer science?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computer and information technology workers earned a median annual salary of $97,430 as of May 2021. This is much higher than the median salary for all occupations of $45,760. One of the highest-paying jobs in computer science is computer and information systems manager with a median annual salary of $159,010.
Which computer science job is best for beginners?
The best computer science jobs for beginners include web developer, software developer, and video game designer. Computer support specialist and health information technician are other good options.
Which computer science jobs are in demand?
Software developers, computer and information research scientists, and information security analysts are all in-demand computer science jobs. The BLS projects much-faster-than-average growth from 2021-2031 for all of these occupations.
Can you work in computer science at any age?
Yes, you can work in computer science at any age. As long as you are open to learning and trying new things, there is no age limit on entering the field.
Reviewed by:
Darnell Kenebrew
Darnell Kenebrew is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University's class of 2020. He graduated with a bachelor's in computer science, which helped him kick off a career in tech and pursue roles within data and engineering.
Currently, he's a data analytics engineer at Meta and an executive captain for COOP Careers — a nonprofit for overcoming underemployment. Kenebrew strongly believes in giving people a chance and that everyone should have an equal opportunity within the job market. He believes that COOP Careers helps this equality materialize.
Kenebrew is passionate about how the industry is shaped with data and how data can be leveraged in many aspects of business decisions to meet goals. In addition, he's passionate about inclusion, community, education, and using data for good. He hopes that he can pivot business decisions to make a positive, meaningful impact and that his work will positively impact end-users, as well as meet business goals.
Darnell Kenebrew is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Page last reviewed Oct. 3, 2022
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