15 Best Paying MBA in Technology Careers

Technology is a broad area of employment in which a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a potent credential. The 50 fastest growing industries according to CareerInfoNet in the decade 2012 to 2022 include computer systems design and related services at 38% and software publishers at 26%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics published a ranking of fastest growing occupations during the period 2012-2022 which cites information security analysts at 36.5 percent. A separate list of occupations with the most job growth in the same period includes application software developers at 22.8 percent.

Given the rapid pace of advancements in technology, MBA graduates who enter the following careers must keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date with books and instructional materials, professional education courses, and training-based certifications. A satisfactory work experience and upward career trajectory are associated with capabilities that are current and relevant to the jobs.

Such jobs were put on the spotlight in US News’ survey of 100 outstanding occupations in 2015. A different list of the top IT and engineering occupations was published by CareerCast based on criteria that consisted of current recruitment demand, on-the-job requirement for physical effort, level of stress, average compensation, work environment, and long-term career prospects.

1. Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineering involves formulating methodologies to boost extraction and production of oil and gas, estimating the economic value and production capabilities of petroleum wells, and devising plans for drilling as well as product treatment. Tools and technology of the trade include database user interface and query programs, scanner, project management programs, and desktop computer. The average salary of a petroleum engineer is $99,226 per year, with the potential to increase to $194,000 with commission, profit sharing proceeds, and bonus.

2. Software Developer

Software development involves the design, creation, customization, and modification of applications software, specialized utility programs, and software solutions toward the goals of optimizing operational effectiveness and efficiency as well as meeting user requirements. Tools of the trade include component-oriented development software, personal digital assistants, program testing software, and database management system programs. The average salary of a software developer is $67,207 per year. Total income packages may rise to $104,000 with additional compensation in the form of bonus, commission, and profit sharing proceeds.

3. Technical Writer

Technical writing is the process in which concise and descriptive technical information resources are made, which come in the form of policy manuals, equipment manuals, operating and maintenance directions, product assembly instructions, a summarization of a lengthy report, and appendices. During the course of their work, technical writers utilize desktop publishing software, high capacity removable media drives, development environment programs, digital cameras, graphics or photo imaging utilities, laptop computers, and desktop workstations. The average salary for technical writers is $53,604 per year. Bonus, profit sharing, and commission can bolster that figure to $84,000.

4. Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analysis focuses on business, engineering, and data processing problems with the goals of implementing and improving computer systems. Computer systems analysts undertake the testing, maintenance, and monitoring of computer systems, documentation and revision of system design procedures and standards of quality, and resolution of code problems. The average salary for a systems analyst is $64,039 per year, with the potential to rise to $95,000 with bonus and profit sharing.

5. Information Security Analyst

Information security analysis involves the responsibility for planning, implementation, upgrading, and monitoring of security measures for the protection of information systems, computer networks, critical electronic infrastructure, and digital files. Information security analysts utilize a variety of tools in their practice, including virtual private network (VPN) management, network analyzers, authentication server software, antivirus programs, digital encryption, and firewalls. The average salary for an information security analyst is $70,668, but it can go as high as $105,000 with the addition of profit sharing proceeds and bonus.

6. Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers undertake the challenge of applying the theory and principles of nuclear science to problems associated with the dispensation, regulation, and utilization of nuclear energy as well as the disposal of radioactive gas, liquid, and solid detritus. The average annual salary of a nuclear engineer is $79,129, with the potential to increase to $129,000 with profit sharing, bonus, and commission.

7. Web Developer

Web development is the practice of designing, creating, building, maintaining, writing, editing, and updating web sites with digital media, authoring languages, content creation tools, and scripting languages. Web developers utilize technology in the form of object oriented development software, application server software, and high capacity removable media drives. The average salary of a web developer is $55,057 per year. Additional compensation in the form of commission, bonus, and profit sharing can raise it to $84,000.

8. Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineering is the practice of researching, planning, designing, evaluating, installing, operating, and maintaining machines, engines, and mechanically functioning equipment that encompass steam, gas, centralized heat, and water systems. Tools in the mechanical engineer’s gear bag include signal generators, computer aided manufacturing software, voltage comparator integrated circuits, and component oriented development software. The average salary for a mechanical engineer is $65,983 per year. Total income may expand to $95,000 with bonus, profit sharing, and commission.

9. Information Technology Manager

Information technology management is focused on planning, directing, reviewing, and coordinating activities in computer programming, information systems, systems analysis, electronic data processing, backup management, data security, development of electronic information resources, and system requirements. These executives make use of a specific set of technology and tools that include network interface cards, teleconference equipment, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and customer relationship management (CRM) software. The average salary for an IT manager is $79,584. The highest on record at Payscale is $127,000 inclusive of commission, bonus, and profit sharing proceeds.

10. Civil Engineer

Civil engineering involves the utilization of analytical software, project management software, precision levels, and rolling scales in the construction and maintenance of railroads, irrigation projects, building structures, harbors, sewage systems, bridges, power plants, airports, and similar structures. Civil engineers oversee projects to ensure that they comply to sanitation standards, safety specifications, and design requirements. The average pay for a civil engineer is $61,573 a year with the potential to reach $91,000 with bonus, profit sharing, and commission.

11. Computer Systems Administrator

Network and computer systems administrators take on the responsibility for installation, configuration, and support of an enterprise’s wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), computing environments, application software, and Internet systems. They are involved in diagnosis, troubleshooting, prevention, and resolution of problems in hardware, software, networks, and computers. The average salary of a systems administrator is $59,091 per year. Commission, bonus, and profit sharing proceeds can potentially boost this to $82,000.

12. Computer Support Specialist

Computer support specialists interact with computer users to provide technical assistance and resolve problems associated with workstations, networks, and applications. They optimize their work with tools such as desktop communications software, archival or backup programs, network analyzers, computer tool kits, and configuration management programs. The average salary for a computer technical support specialist is $46,557 per year. Total income can expand to $67,000 with profit sharing proceeds and bonus.

13. Database Administrator

Database administrators utilize tools and technology such as backup or archival software, metadata management software, hard disk arrays, mainframe computers, and database management system software in the course of administering, testing, coordinating, implementing, correcting, and modifying computer databases. The average salary for a database administrator is $69,579 per year. The highest on record at Payscale is more than $99,000 with the inclusion of profit sharing and bonus.

14. Industrial Designer

Industrial design involves the conceptualization, engineering, modification, and fabrication of manufactured goods. Essential technology and tools of the trade include liquid crystal display projectors, computer aided design systems, removable media drives, video creation and editing applications, and digital cameras. The average annual salary of an industrial designer is $52,070. Total income may reach $85,000 with bonus and profit sharing proceeds.

15. Computer Programmer

Computer programmers undertake the challenge of creating, modifying, testing, correcting, updating, reviewing, and maintaining the code, script, and forms that enable computer applications to run properly. Tools of the trade for a computer programmer include serial port cards, database user interface and query software, mainframe computers, web platform development software, and decompiler software. The average salary for a computer programmer is $57,252 per year, which can increase to $87,000 incorporating bonus and profit sharing proceeds.

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