What Jobs Can You Get With an Associate in Information Technology?

In today’s technology-driven economy, information technology (IT) plays a role in nearly every business and organization, from corner stores using electronic payment processing systems to large software companies creating programs and apps. With an IT associate degree, you could get a jumpstart toward your own career in this growing field.*

"Education and training are important factors in preparing for a career in information technology," said Donna Dukeshire, an academic advisor and adjunct faculty member at SNHU. She's passionate about technology and has been advising in the IT program at SNHU since its inception.

According to Dukeshire, there are some things you can do to help you prepare for a career in IT, such as focusing on areas like networks, user-end applications and system administration. She said you may also want to develop soft skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork.

Is an Associate Degree Enough for an IT Job?

Earning an IT associate degree can give you the foundation to start working in the field and gain key real-world work experience to advance your career. And while many IT roles require a bachelor's degree or higher, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also points to some opportunities available to qualified individuals with an associate degree.

What Jobs Can I Get With a Degree in Information Technology?

Dukeshire said some roles an associate degree-holder might pursue include support specialist, network technician or network analyst.

Computer Support Specialist

As a computer support specialist, you could work for an organization or technology company to provide technical assistance for users and troubleshoot issues with hardware, software, email and operating systems, according to BLS. BLS also reported that computer support specialists earned a median salary of $61,550 in 2024.*

There are two additional roles for associate degree-holders that fall under the computer support specialist category: network support specialist and user support specialist.

Network Support Specialist

According to BLS, network support specialists analyze and troubleshoot issues with a computer's network, specifically, and can assist with an organization's day-to-day functioning or its disaster recovery efforts. Sometimes, they support customers directly and other times, their work is more behind-the-scenes.

BLS said that the median salary for network support specialists was $73,340 in 2024, and noted most roles require an associate degree.*

Computer User Support Specialist

Computer user support specialists are more commonly referred to as help-desk technicians, according to BLS. Their primary role is to work directly with customers — via phone, live chat or in person — to analyze, diagnose and provide solutions for computer issues. Depending on the organization they work for, computer user support specialists may also help train users on new software, BLS said.

Some help-desk technician roles require an associate degree, while others are focused less on a candidate's education and more on their computer knowledge; it just depends on the organization.

The median annual salary for computer user support specialists was $60,340 in 2024, according to BLS.*

Once you have gained experience in the IT field, doors to other roles may open up to you, too — like systems administrator, front-line supervisor and technical support analyst.

Is the IT Field Growing?

As our reliance on technology in our personal and professional lives continues to grow and evolve, so will the job opportunities for skilled IT workers.*

“There is definitely career growth in IT,” Dukeshire said. “The field is growing, and as technology advances, more people are needed.* An associate degree can open the door.”

BLS projects about 317,700 new computer and information technology jobs each year, on average.* BLS also reported that the field had a median annual wage of $105,990 in 2024 for all occupations.*

Accelerate Your IT Career Path

If you're ready to get started on a rewarding career path in information technology, an associate degree may be the first step to gaining the skills you need to succeed. In an IT associate degree program, you’ll learn how to solve technology-related problems using the latest methods and tools and explore strategies for maintaining and securing existing computer systems.

For Leland Wright '24, earning an associate degree in IT from SNHU helped him get a clearer picture of what he wanted out of his career.

"As I’ve progressed through my studies, I’ve developed a stronger desire to work in a role that not only allows me to utilize my technical skills, but also enables me to support others," he said.

Wright, who is now actively pursuing his bachelor's in IT at SNHU, is hoping to eventually move into a role as a desktop support technician within his current organization.

"This degree has helped me learn more about customer support, problem-solving and effective communication, all of which are essential in IT roles," he said.

In addition to earning an associate degree in IT, you could develop your base of knowledge with industry certifications, such as those offered by CompTIA. These certifications are specific to IT skills such as IT support, network administration and IT security that may help demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers.

Want to take your career to the next level? Continuing your education and earning a bachelor’s in information technology or a master's in information technology can help you specialize in a specific area of IT, such as network administration or software development, and potentially help you move up to a leadership position.

No matter what your IT career path or plans for higher education are, it's important to stay focused on continuing education, Dukeshire said.

“Take advantage of every opportunity to advance your education,” she said. “Whether it’s going for certifications, trainings offered by your company or continuing on to a bachelor’s degree. Never stop learning. The IT field changes continuously, and you will need to keep up with those changes.”

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Nicholas Patterson ’22 ’25MFA is a writer based in West Michigan with several years of experience as a content creator in higher education. He’s an alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he earned both his bachelor’s in English and creative writing and his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When his head’s not in novels, you can find him outside dreaming up his own stories. Connect with him on LinkedIn.