How much does a computer specialist make?
a year · about $56 an hour
A typical computer specialist in the United States makes $116,580 a year, about $56 an hour, about 2.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
This broad job group has many kinds of specialists, so days differ. An IT project manager might meet the team, solve problems, update the schedule, and check that work meets deadlines and quality goals.
Did you know? Some computer specialists are penetration testers: they launch simulated cyberattacks on purpose to find weaknesses in computer systems.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $55,940 and $188,470How do you become one?
Routes vary by specialty. For IT project management, a college degree and considerable related experience are common, though some jobs differ; penetration testing also has registered apprenticeship options.
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can change with experience and education, where you work, and which industry hires you. This catch-all includes many specialties, and some employers require extra certificates for security jobs.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($156,590), lowest in Tennessee ($76,470).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In Japan, a IT engineer averages $40,651. Computer specialist salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,940 | $116,580 | $188,470 | about 435,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $156,590 | about 17,000 |
| Maryland | $144,680 | about 19,000 |
| Colorado | $139,580 | about 12,000 |
| Virginia | $139,030 | about 17,000 |
| Delaware | $137,470 | about 860 |
Official definition: All computer occupations not listed separately. Excludes “Computer and Information Systems Managers” (11-3021), “Computer Hardware Engineers” (17-2061), “Electrical and Electronics Engineers” (17-2070), “Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary” (25-1021), “Special Effects Artists and Animators” (27-1014), “Graphic Designers” (27-1024), “Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars” (29-9021), and “Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers” (49-2011).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1299.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1299.09
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1299.04
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
- www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/NOF_Penetration%20Tester.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY