Jobs & Money
[A World of Job Opportunities] [Show Me the Money!]
[Top Execs Talk Opportunity] [Morph Your Own Office]
[In the News] [Job Profiles]
A World of Job Opportunities
Whether it’s creating software from scratch, building web pages, animating the next big computer game, working internationally, or networking on a mountain top in the middle of nowhere, a computer science degree offers you many options that you don’t always have in other types of jobs. And you can have a job with a computer science degree. Because almost every type of industry or company uses people with computer science degrees, you’ll have lots of options of places to work, types of jobs, top salaries, and the flexibility to design your own career. From 2002 to 2012, over a million new jobs are expected for computer specialists 1. That’s an increase of over 35%!
1 Source: 2002-2012 Occupational Employment Outlook compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Show Me the Money!
Okay, a question that everybody has is: “How much money can I make with a computer science degree?” The answer to this question also depends on your college degree, the position you are hired for, and the type of organization, such as a large company, a school district, or a smaller organization. Average starting salary offers nationally in 2005 for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science were $50,820 and $93,050 for those with doctoral degrees (Ph.D.s), according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Below are average salaries for Oregonians with computer science degrees. For more information on salary trends in each field, how many jobs are out there, and real people in the field, click on the job category below.
Average Annual Wages for Oregon Jobs in 2005
- Computer Scientists and Info Research Scientists:
$106.401 - Computer and Info Systems Managers:
$95,856 - Database Administrators:
$61,978 - Graphic Designers:
$40,877 - Multi-Media Artists and Animators:
$48,966 - Network Systems & Data Communication Analysts:
$63,778 - Programmers:
$58,970 - Software Engineers:
$81,668 - Support Specialists:
$40,079 - Systems Analysts:
$64,564
NOTE: Figures and job titles are based on the on-line Occupation Information System of the Oregon Employment Department report, 2005. For most current reports, go to http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OIC?ccc.
Top Execs Talk Opportunity
Click on the names below to hear more opportunities and advice for high-schoolers from top executives of several large Oregon high-tech companies:
Eileen Boerger, Vice President and General Manager of Agilis Solutions
Robert Damiano, Fellow, and Vice President for Advanced Technology, Synopsys
Wally Rhines, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mentor Graphics
James Troisi, Business Alliance Manager, IBM
Morph Your Own Office
Talk about flexibility! Computer science professionals work in many different environments because the “tool of their trade” is portable! While some professionals want to be at a company’s physical site and enjoy the teamwork and interaction this provides, others are able to work from home, in a coffee shop, on the beach, or on an airplane. All kinds of people benefit from this: those who are more creative when not in an office environment, women or men who want to work at home part-time and also raise their kids, and people who like to move from place to place and manage their own career path.
In the News
Study Says U.S. Tech Hiring Grows,
2.23.06,
CNN.com
Fast Company Ranks Software Engineer #3, Computer Systems Analyst #9 among hot jobs,
FastCompany.com
Job Profiles
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Create new, theoretical, and applied knowledge at the forefront of technology. Some collaborate with scientists in other fields, and some perform applied research to help people and organizations create innovative solutions to meet their needs; in a way they are technology detectives who sort through “clues” and data to help people and organizations solve their problems.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in 2005 in Oregon was an impressive $106,401 per year, or $51.15 per hour.
Show me the jobs: While total employment is projected to grow 19.4% between 2004 and 2014, the total number of Oregon jobs in this specialized field is small, with a total of 37 jobs expected statewide by 2014. Because of this, job opportunities will not be as high for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Oregon as for other computer science careers. New positions are expected to open up in Multnomah, Washington, and Lane County regions.
In 2004, Oregon’s computer and information research scientists worked in publishing, information, and software industries.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely plan on earning a master’s degree if you want to prepare to be a Computer and Information Research Scientist. Related work experience also helps once you enter the job market.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Olga Tkachyshyn, Ph.D. Student in Computer Science, whose work helps nuclear physicists to make large computations on multiple computers.
Hear from Robert Damiano, Fellow, and Vice President for Advanced Technology, Snyopsys, about the “enormous amount of freedom in doing this work.”
Computer and Information Systems Managers
They are at the helm supervising or coordinating computer system projects for all different types of companies and organizations. Whether they are managing data processing, information systems, programming, or systems analysis, their effective leadership on complex projects and teams is integral to their organization’s efficiency and success.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Oregon Computer and Information Systems Managers in 2005 was a good $95,856 per year, or $46.08 per hour. Average annual wages varied in different counties across the state, with Multnomah County in the triple digits at 2005 at $102,942.
Show me the jobs: Here’s some encouraging news for you: the number of positions in this field is already larger than the statewide average, and is expected to grow to 2,908 total jobs by 2014. In fact, the profession is expected to add about 383 NEW JOBS, a 15.2% growth, between 2004 and 2014. If you count new and replacement jobs combined, about 90 job openings per year are expected through 2014. While by far the largest numbers of positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington County, all regions across the state are expected to hire for these positions.
In 2004, large numbers of employees in this line of worked in the fields of publishing and information, manufacturing computer and electronic products, and semiconductor manufacturing. Hundreds of others worked a very wide range of industries from navigational instrument manufacturing to architectural firms to surgical hospitals.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning your bachelor’s degree if you want to gain the skills needed to be a Computer and Information Systems Manager. Acquiring related work experience also helps once you jump into the job market.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Robert Down, Manager of Plexis Health Systems in Medford, Oregon, on “bleeding edge technology” and the many perks of working for a company that values creativity.
Design creative ways to sort through, organize and save information for current and future uses; they make sure that the computer system functions right, and sometimes they create and apply security features to their systems; these are the people who look at a million pieces of data and construct perfectly organized systems that make our lives easier.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Database Administrators in 2005 was a strong $61,978 per year, or $29.80 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The number of Database Administrator jobs in Oregon is expected to grow steadily at about the state average, with 142 NEW JOBS expected between 2004 and 2014, a growth of about 14.9%. The employment department predicts about 26 job openings per year in the next eight years, including replacement and new positions. By 2014, about 1,096 positions are expected statewide. While the greatest numbers of opportunities are expected to open up in Multnomah, Washington, Marion, Polk, Clackamas, and Yamhill county regions, many other counties also are expected to need Database Administrators.
In 2004, the highest numbers of Oregon’s Database Administrators worked in information and publishing, finance, insurance, and local government. Many others worked in a wide range of industries ranging from apparel trades to social assistance to telecommunications.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: If you want to gain the skills to be a Database Administrator, you should definitely plan on earning a bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind that having a master’s degree also gives you an advantage in the “real world.”
Computer-trained artists who create cool graphics on everything from cereal boxes to Symphony programs. They pay attention to a company’s specific message and promotional needs, including factors like logos, packaging, or displays, and use computer software to create new and eye-catching designs.
Show me the money; The average annual wage in Oregon for Graphic Designers in 2005 was a good $40,877 per year, or $19.65 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Great news - the field of Graphic Design is already larger than the state average, and job openings are expected to grow to 2,600 jobs by 2014. What this boils down to is real opportunities for you in the coming years. Oregon is expected to add about 453 NEW JOBS in Graphic Design, a growth of 21.1%, between 2004 and 2014. If you look at both replacement and new job openings, the state predicts about 78 openings per year in this period. The largest numbers of new Graphic Artist positions are expected in the Portland Metropolitan area of Multnomah and Washington Counties, but opportunities are expected to pop up across the state. In 2004, large numbers of Graphic designers worked in information and publishing, printing, and specialized design and advertising industries, while many others worked in a wide range of fields from civic organizations to grocery wholesalers to radio broadcasting.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career as a Graphic Designer. If you hit the market with a Master’s degree, you will have even more of an advantage.
Multi-Media Artists and Animators
Design highly creative visual images such as animated figures and special effects using computers, film and video, and other electronic media. Their work may be used in a wide range of venues for businesses and entertainment industries, such as movies, commercials, videos, or computer games.
Show me the money: The average annual wage in Oregon for Multi-Media Artists and Animators in 2005 was a good $48,966 per year, or $23.54 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The forecast shows fast growth in the field of Multi-Media Art and Animation in coming years. While the number of jobs was somewhat smaller than the state average in 2004, the occupation is expected to grow faster than the state average to a total of 444 projected jobs by 2014. In fact, Oregon is expected to add about 96 NEW JOBS in Multi-Media Art and Animation, a growth of 27.6%, between 2004 and 2014. About 18 job openings per year are expected in this period, including replacement and new jobs. The largest number of new Multi-Media Artist and Animator positions are expected in the Portland Metropolitan area of Multnomah and Washington Counties, but these positions are expected to open up in many areas across the state. In 2004, most Oregon Multi-Media Artists and Animators worked in motion picture, sound recording, and video industries, while many others worked in advertising, software publishing, newspaper or periodical publishing, and other design fields.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career as a Multi-Media artist or Animator. If you hit the market with a Master’s degree, you will have even more of an advantage.
Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
Create and maintain computer networks that keep people connected across the town or across the globe, including Internet, intranet, local networks, and other communications systems such as telecommunications. They model, plan, and analyze networks, and may supervise programmers involved with their work.
Show me the money; The average annual wage in Oregon for Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts in 2005 was a strong $63,778 per year, or $30.66 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Great news - the number of job openings in this field is already larger than the state average and is expected to grow faster than the state average to a projected 2,871 jobs by 2014. In fact, Oregon is expected to add about 439 NEW JOBS for Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, a growth of 18.1%, between 2004 and 2014. The state expects about 77 job openings per year, including new and replacement jobs in the next eight years. The highest numbers of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, however opportunities are expected to arise in communities across the state. In 2004, large numbers of Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts in Oregon worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, and components systems design, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from insurance to scientific consulting fields to appliances.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: Definitely plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career in this field. Acquiring related work experience also gives you a leg up in the job market.
Create the intricate instructions that direct computers to do their work; in other words, these people create the “mind maps” or orchestration for computers that they need to come alive and begin solving problems. Their work may involve writing programs to store, locate, or retrieve chunks of information like documents or data, or may involve programming websites to do this work.
Show me the money The average annual wage for Computer Programmers in 2005 in Oregon was a strong $58,970 per year, or $28.35 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Looking for opportunity? The total number of jobs for Programmers in Oregon is already large and job openings are going to grow in coming years largely because of the need to fill replacement openings. Oregon is expected to add about 274 NEW JOBS in Programming, a growth of 9.0%, between 2004 and 2014. This is expected to bring the state to a total of 3,314 Computer Programming positions by 2014 Even better news is the state projects 105 new and replacement job openings per year for the next eight years. Large numbers of positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, followed by Lane County, however Programming jobs are projected in many areas across the state. In 2004, Programmers in Oregon worked largely in computer systems design, information and publishing, internet services, web search portals, and data processing services, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of fields from transportation equipment manufacturing to insurance carriers to junior colleges.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career as a Computer Programmer. Acquiring related work experience also gives you an edge in the job market.
Show me a real person:
Meet Intel Programmer Kristen Accardi, who compares programming to the creative process of making movies.
Hear from Farooq Sultan, Analyst Programmer for Eastern Oregon University, on the financial draws of a computer science career.
Design, build, experiment with, and assess the computer applications and the systems software that allow them to operate; they study what people need and develop creative, customized solutions, working both individually and as part of teams. Software engineers create anything and everything from computer games to software that keeps the Space Shuttle running properly.
Show me the money; The average annual wage for Oregon Software Engineers in 2005 was an impressive $81,668 per year, or $39.26 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Looking for opportunity? Look no further. The number of jobs for software engineers in Oregon is already large and is expected to grow faster than the statewide average, with 7,468 jobs statewide expected by 2014. In fact, total job openings are projected to be much higher than the state average in coming years. Oregon is expected to add 1,222 NEW JOBS, a total of 19.6% more Software Engineers between 2004 and 2014. The employment department projects 195 job openings per year in this period, including both replacement and new positions. The largest numbers of openings are expected to be in the Portland Metropolitan areas of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties, but positions are expected to pop up in many regions across the state. In 2004, large numbers of Oregon’s Software Engineers worked in manufacturing, computer systems design, and publishing and information. Hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from telecommunications to hosting services to mail-order houses.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely earn a bachelor’s degree if you want to be a Software Engineer. Once in the job market, experience with related work can also help get you in the door.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Paul McKenney, Distinguished Engineer at Linux Technology Center on helping the fastest equipment “win the game.”
Meet Will Shaver who enjoys wearing many hats as the sole software engineer at Grain Miller in Eugene.
Hear from Diana Carroll, Test Research & Development Engineer at Intel loves “playing with new technologies that aren’t on the market yet.”
Meet Angelina Todorova, Software Engineer at Key Technologies in Medford helps build vision sorting system for machines that sort foods from peaches to potato chips.
Provide technical support, hands-on help, and guidance on hardware and software to people using computers; in other words, they are the translators of computer logic for the common user in many different industries, and the first responders when systems and software just aren’t working for people trying to do their work.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Computer Support Specialists in Oregon in 2005 was a good $40,079 per year, or $19.27 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The forecast - jobs, jobs, and more jobs. There are already a larger number of jobs in this field than the state average, and significantly large numbers of openings are projected for the future. Oregon is expected to add about 1,667 NEW JOBS in Computer Support, Specialists a growth of 23.4%, between 2004 and 2014. Statewide, about 270 job openings (both replacement and new jobs) are expected per year during this period. The largest number of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, followed by Lane County, however Computer Support Specialists jobs are expected to pop up in every state region. In 2004, large numbers of employees in this line of worked in business services, administrative services, publishing and information, and computer and electronic manufacturing. Hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from Internet server providers to civic organizations to legal services.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on getting some postsecondary training (college or community college) to learn the wide range of skills needed for computer support. Earning a bachelor’s degree on top of it gives you a competitive advantage.
Like coaches who assess and analyze the science, business, and data problems or capabilities of an organization then recommend the most productive systems or software; they tackle general computer problems and pull different technologies together to help their organizations get the best results from their practices, employees, and equipment.
Show me the money; The average annual wage for Systems Analysts in Oregon in 2005 was a strong $64,564 per year, or $31.04 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Want to enter a growing field? The number of jobs for Systems Analyst in Oregon is already larger than the state average, and is expected to grow much faster than the state average in coming years to a total of 5,199 jobs statewide by 2014. In fact, Oregon is expected to add about 1,068 new jobs for Systems Analysts, a growth of 25.9%, between 2004 and 2014. The state projects about 163 job openings per year, including both replacement and new jobs in this period. The largest numbers of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, however jobs are expected to pop up in many areas across the state. In 2004, large numbers of systems analysts in Oregon worked in manufacturing, federal government, local government, and computer systems design, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of fields from universities to insurance companies to apparel supplies.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely plan on getting your bachelor’s degree if you are drawn to a career as a Systems Analyst. You’ll have one up in the job market if you also gain some related work experience.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Farooq Sultan, Analyst Programmer for Eastern Oregon University, on the real advantages of a computer science career.
Information based on the on-line Occupation Information System of the Oregon Employment Department report, 2005. For most current reports, go to http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OIC?ccc.
