Kworld Trend / Online computer science degree programs and industry salary in 2024, Learn about computer science salaries for various computer science professionals and how they can be affected by factors such as industry, location, education, certifications, and company.
Online Computer Science Degree Programs And Industry Salaries In 2024
An online computer science degree, commonly called a computer science degree, is evidence of completion of a computer science program. Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems. Unlike electrical and computer engineers, computer scientists mostly deal with software and software systems. This includes their theory, design, development and application.
In short, computer science degrees deal with the theoretical foundations of information and computation, taking a scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications.
Now could be the right time to start or advance your career in computer science as computer and information technology related jobs are expected to grow by 21 percent between 2021 and 2031 [1 ] . With this in mind, let’s take a look at the salaries of computer scientists and the various factors that can affect them such as education level, location, and certifications.
What does a computer scientist do?
Computer scientists are experts at working with computers and technology. They study how data is processed, stored, and transmitted for application to programs and programs.
What jobs are available as a computer scientist?
Computer scientists as computer hardware engineers work in computer programming, research, analytics, and information security, to name a few. Careers in the field of computer science cover a wide spectrum, as technology is a huge part of our lives.
Computer scientists are automating systems, creating processes in our smartphones, taking us to the moon — given these accomplishments, the possibilities are nearly endless. Since computers are used in almost every business, typical employers are information technology (IT) service providers. Opportunities are available in the IT departments of all major organizations in sectors, such as financial services, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.
How much do computer science majors earn?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for computer scientists is $131,490 with a range of $74,210 for the lowest 10 percent of earners and $208,000 for the top 10 percent. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a computer scientist in the United States is $107,396, and it ranges from $88,000 to $192,000.
Here are some other roles and average salaries that computer scientists may work in:
- Computer programmers : $93,000
- Database engineers: $101,000
- Computer systems analysts: $99,270
- Information security analysts: $102,600
- Computer network engineers: $120,520
- Computer and information systems managers: $159,010
Factors affecting salary
A computer scientist’s salary will be affected by many factors, such as experience in the field, training, and location. Consider considering the following to maximize your earnings:
education
A degree in computer science or a related field tends to be a prerequisite for the majority of jobs and may increase your chances of getting a job. Most computer scientists have a degree: 66 percent have a bachelor’s degree , 19 percent have a master’s degree , and 7 percent have a PhD. Zippia reports the impact of education on average salaries of computer scientists as follows:
- Associate’s or associate’s degree: $88,916
- Bachelor’s degree: $107,255
- Master’s degree: $118,290
- Doctoral degree: $126,970
However, a computer science degree is not always required to become a computer scientist. In a fast-paced, developing discipline, experience is highly valued, along with keeping up with trends and engaging in self-learning. Certification will generally put you in a better position to gain a more technical or specialist role.
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Additional degrees in computer science can help you enter specialized positions, which often come with the potential for higher earnings. You can obtain several certifications, including vendor-specific certifications, such as Microsoft and Cisco, that may be required by companies that use these products. Another option is vendor-neutral certifications, such as those offered by CompTIA and ISC. Vendor-neutral certifications can usually help you advance your career across companies rather than remaining limited to a specific vendor.
To increase your computer science salary without a degree, you can consider an entry-level certification as a stepping stone.
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Your level of experience may have an impact on your potential salary. Salaries in this field tend to increase with the number of years you have been in the computer world and with your promotion to more senior positions. The following is the average breakdown, according to PayScale:
- 0-1 year: $69,000
- From 1 to 4 years: $76,000
- From 5 to 9 years: $100,000
- 10-19 years: $111,000
- 20+ years: $118,000
Type of the job
A range of industries are looking to hire computer scientists and other computer science professionals. Any company that has a technical department will likely need a computer scientist or similar, so your workplace is very flexible. However, not all industries are equal when it comes to salary.
Below are examples of the highest paying computer science roles in a range of industries as of 2022, according to Glassdoor.
- Computer World – User Interface – Adobe: $94,000 – $191,000
- Computer Scientist – Cyber Defense – SRI International: $92,000 – $190,000
- Computer World – Adobe: $96,000 – $178,000
- Computer Scientist – NIH: $126,000 – $164,000
- Computer Scientist – US Internal Revenue Service: $94,000 – $143,000
- Computer Scientist – AF Research Laboratories: $78,000 – $123,000
- Computer Scientist – SQL Programmer – US Veterans Health Administration: $74,000 – $96,000
Other shared industries include financial services, communications, retail, manufacturing, and aerospace.
a company
Computer science salaries vary from one employer to another. This may be due to the industry and the size of the company, but also to their area of expertise. Large technology companies, such as Adobe, are among the highest paying employers, with an average salary of $139,916, while Apple pays an average of $169,960 .
Small businesses with lower budgets tend to have wages that reflect this. A small company with a small budget is likely to prioritize the positions most important to its organization. Instead of an entire IT department, a smaller company may have a CTO with multiple roles so that it has the budget to hire more people.
Opportunity
In many industries, where you live and work, it can affect your earnings. Computer science salaries in the United States are highest in certain areas of California, such as San Jose, where the salary is 76 percent higher than the national average, and Livermore, where it is 52 percent higher than the national average. Higher salaries are also found in Baltimore, Maryland (52% higher) and King George, Virginia (45% higher). The lowest salaries are in Tampa, Florida (42 percent lower than the national average), Vicksburg, MS (34 percent lower), and Leighton, Utah (30 percent lower).
For average salaries, it is important to consider the cost of living, as higher salaries often make up for the higher cost of living.
In 2019, remote computer science roles are starting to increase, with 86 percent of IT developers working remotely in some way. Not only does this mean that you have more opportunities available, but some of the highest paying jobs in computer science are way off. This is because more senior roles come with the independence of being able to work outside of the office. The average salary for a remote computer scientist is $100,464.
Differences in job title and salary | Online computer science degree programs and industry salary in 2024
Roles and salaries in computer science are varied, as it is spread across many industries and disciplines. Below is a breakdown of average base salaries in the United States for different types of computer science-related roles:
- Software engineer: $130,530
- DevOps Engineer : $104,141
- Software engineer: $90,385
- Mobile application developer: $91,919
- Cyber Security Analyst : $81,334
*All salary data obtained from Glassdoor as of December 2022.
next steps
If you’re looking to get started as a computer scientist, explore the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science offered on Coursera. Consider a Bachelor of Science from University of London to help put you on the path to higher paying opportunities.
If you do not have experience in this field, you may consider taking an entry- level computer science course as a starting point.
Online computer science degree programs
Computer science degrees are available at all levels of undergraduate studies. After you begin with an undergraduate degree, you can build on your foundation studies by continuing with your postgraduate degrees.
Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science
You can now earn an online bachelor’s degree in computer science from a number of accredited schools. This degree program typically takes about four years to complete, but traditional or online computer science degree programs are also available.
Computer science is a promising field of study. On average, recent graduates with this degree earn more than those studying business, logistics, or engineering. In fact, computer science is one of the highest paying bachelor’s degrees.
In the undergraduate program in Computer Science, you can study computing theory, operating systems, data structures, robotics, computer architecture, and programming languages. You can practice software engineering, coding, working with algorithms and system optimization. In addition, you will need to have a strong foundation for math and science courses.
Some schools offer concentrations for undergraduate programs. Options may include data science, software engineering, cybersecurity, and computer engineering.
Online MSc in Computer Science | Online computer science degree programs and industry salary in 2024
Earning an online master’s degree in computer science can help you take your career to the next level. You may be able to secure a supervisory role related to your current position; For example, you may be promoted to a computer systems manager job.
A master’s may also open doors to new roles, such as being a computer and information research scientist.
Online master’s programs usually take about two years to complete. During that time, you can study advanced programming and become more fluent in programming languages. You can also take advanced courses in databases and algorithms.
You may wish to select a major for your master’s degree. The school may offer majors such as computer networking, artificial intelligence, or big data.
