turkish daily news: PBJ Breaktime! ? Top 5 Highest Paying Computer Science Careers

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There is no question that our world revolves around technology and computers. Everything we do from paying for our everyday items to even waking up in the morning by our alarm clocks has to do with technology and computers. With so many different uses for computers, those who know how to program, operate, and administer them, are becoming more valuable. If you are considering a career in computers and technology, you may want to know which path to choose and what career will pay you what you are worth. Here are the top 5 careers for those interested in the computer sciences as of 2009.

Computer and Information Systems Manager:
This position is exactly as it is titled. A computer and information systems manager is responsible for the computers and technology of large corporations, hospitals and even schools. Everything that has to do with the network, information and data being transferred, or the gadgets used by the company is under the computer and information systems manager?s umbrella of responsibility. In addition to the technology, the manager is responsible for managerial duties for that department, which means a lot of paperwork.

The last average salary surveyed for this position was just a little over $100,000. This of course could be more based on your education, concentration of study, experience, and the company you get hired onto. The minimum education usually required for this position is a Bachelor?s degree or an MBA with a focus on technology.

Computer and Information Scientist:
If you want to be the person who not only works on a computer but also builds the computer and the software that runs it, then the computer and information scientist is the position you want. These scientists have the opportunity to use robotics and virtual reality to design and build new computers and software. This is an in depth position that requires a lot of education, experience and creativity.

At $94,000 a year, this position can be obtained with a Master?s degree; however a Doctorate is highly suggested and will give you the position at a much larger company.

Professional Hacker:

If busting through firewalls, wireless security, and encrypted servers gets you excited, you can actually make a career out of it. Ethical hackers are hired to help companies test their security, find holes and flaws, and suggest how to secure them. They also help law enforcement and government agencies in tracking down criminals through computer activities and prevent hacking. This is a career that can be fulfilling and exciting.

Starting salary for an ethical hacker is on average $85,000 a year with a required Bachelor?s degree in computer science or information technology.

Computer Software Engineer:

If you like punching code all day, you may want to consider a career as a computer software engineer. This position offers all kinds of software creation from small programs, to large operating systems, even video games. Anything that is code based running on computer hardware can be created by a computer software engineer. This position does however require continuing education and updating your skill sets as new program languages emerge and technology progresses.

The starting salary for this position runs an average of $84,000 annually. However, it can be much more based on your education. As a Bachelor?s degree is the minimum requirement, having multiple degrees in several fields could allow your starting salary to be much more, along with more responsibilities. The company you work for will also play a large part in your salary. Microsoft would pay you more than your local hospital would to create software.

Computer Programmer:

One step below a software engineer is the computer programmer. This position will have you writing code and creating a variety of programs to be used on an operating system without actually having to create the operating system. You can be hired to create everything from a customer service program, a point of sales software, or even new media player software for mobile gadgets. The possibilities are vast.

With a starting salary of $65,000 a year, the computer programmer is one of the few positions where you can be hired with only an Associate?s degree, however, a Bachelor?s degree is preferred and will of course yield a higher starting salary.

Computers are the basis of society today and will continue to become more involved in the future. Companies are looking for highly educated employees to help lead the way. If you are considering a career in the computer field, take the time to choose which position would meet your interests more and pursue it. With constant change in computers and technology, expect an array of continued education even deep in your career.

Author Isaac Stone writes for Best Computer Science Degrees, a site with detailed information and lists of the best online computer science schools available.