IT Salary Data and Compensation Benchmarks
IT salary data helps hiring managers build competitive compensation packages, improve offer acceptance rates, and make informed hiring decisions. This IT Salary Guide provides national salary benchmarks, compensation trends, and market insights for employers hiring Information Technology professionals throughout the United States.
Last Updated: June 2026
National IT Salary Benchmarks
The following salary benchmarks represent national compensation estimates for commonly hired Information Technology positions. Actual compensation varies based on geographic location, years of experience, certifications, industry, technical specialization, and employer requirements.
| Position | National Salary Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Help Desk Technician | $60,000 |
| Desktop Support Technician | $68,000 |
| NOC Technician | $73,000 |
| Systems Administrator | $95,000 |
| Network Engineer | $108,000 |
| Telecom Specialist | $95,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $125,000 |
| Cloud Engineer | $140,000 |
| Database Administrator | $105,000 |
| IT Architect | $135,000 |
| Business Analyst | $104,000 |
| Change Management Specialist | $100,000 |
| Technical Writer | $90,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | $145,000 |
| Machine Learning / AI Engineer | $155,000 |
| Full-Stack Developer | $135,000 |
| Java Developer | $132,000 |
| Python Developer | $135,000 |
| .NET Developer | $125,000 |
| Web Developer | $91,000 |
| WordPress Developer | $85,000 |
| Mobile Application Developer | $130,000 |
| ERP Specialist | $115,000 |
| IT Project Manager | $125,000 |
| Infrastructure Manager | $140,000 |
| IT Manager | $145,000 |
| Director of IT | $180,000 |
Salary estimates and compensation benchmarks are compiled using public labor market resources, employer job postings, government statistics, compensation surveys, and internal recruiting observations. Sources may include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state workforce agencies, employer hiring data, and compensation trends observed through recruiting activity.
Factors That Influence IT Salaries
IT compensation levels are influenced by several factors beyond job title alone.
Key variables include:
- Local labor market conditions
- Industry demand
- Remote work availability
- Required certifications
- Security clearance requirements
- Technical specialization
- Years of experience
- Leadership responsibilities
- Cloud and cybersecurity expertise
- Industry-specific technology requirements
Organizations hiring highly specialized technical talent often need compensation above local market averages to remain competitive.
Most Competitive IT Roles
Hiring demand remains strongest for the following positions:
- Cloud Engineers
- Cybersecurity Engineers
- DevOps Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Network Engineers
- Infrastructure Engineers
- Service Desk Managers
- Systems Administrators
- Desktop Support Technicians
- Technical Support Specialists
Employers hiring within these categories should regularly review compensation benchmarks and adjust salary ranges to remain competitive in today’s hiring market.
IT Salary Guides by Location
Compensation varies significantly by metropolitan area. The following city-specific salary guides provide localized salary benchmarks and market insights.
| Denver | Houston | Chicago |
| New York City | Los Angeles | San Francisco |
| Washington, DC | Kansas City | Milwaukee |
| Baltimore | Salt Lake City | Miami |
| Boston | Phoenix | Sacramento |
| Boise | Louisville | Pittsburgh |
| Cleveland | Columbus | Las Vegas |
| Orlando | San Diego | San Jose |
| Seattle | St. Louis | Cincinnati |
| Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Minneapolis |
| Philadelphia |
Each city guide includes localized salary data, hiring trends, and compensation benchmarks specific to that market.
IT Compensation Trends
Several compensation trends continue to shape the IT hiring market.
Current trends include:
- Increased demand for cybersecurity talent
- Continued growth in cloud-related positions
- Rising salaries for infrastructure professionals
- Greater competition for experienced technical support personnel
- Increased demand for hybrid technical skill sets
- Higher compensation for professionals with automation and scripting experience
Employers that regularly review compensation data are often better positioned to attract qualified candidates and reduce hiring delays.
Related Resources
Additional salary guides, compensation reports, hiring trends, and recruiting resources are available for hiring managers seeking more detailed market information.
