Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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IT Analysts
IT Analysts plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Table of contents
What they do
IT Analysts plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of the data processing system to ensure the functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
Typical day
On a daily basis, IT Analysts monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems. They monitor the use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.
A typical day for an Information Security Analyst will also include:
- Maintain permanent fleet cryptologic and carry-on direct support systems required in special land, sea surface, and subsurface operations.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, IT Analysts also document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests. They may also modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
On a weekly to monthly basis, IT Analysts review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated. They might also develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
In addition, they confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them coordinate the implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors.
To some IT Analysts, it is also their responsibility to train users and promote security awareness to ensure system security and to improve server and network efficiency.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
70% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
I work as an IT & Security Analyst at a tech startup called Thrive Global. I’ve been in the IT industry for the past 6 years.
My main responsibility is to handle helpdesk tickets on a day-to-day basis from users of our mobile apps, as well as internal tickets from employees. The most common tickets I receive from the app users are tickets on how to use the app, how to register on the app successfully or how users outside the US can access the app in their respective country’s app store. The most common tickets I receive from employees are issues with their company laptop or requests for permission to access a certain web application.
Other than that, I have security-related responsibilities, such as:
- Implementing identity & access management (IAM) and role-based access control (RBAC) by provisioning new hires and granting users access to certain software, based on the department they work in
- Granting users to said software via a single sign-on (SSO) tool
- Handling access to company laptops via mobile device management
- Filtering potential phishing emails from employees’ inboxes
- Documenting instructions on how to use technology for employees and users of the company’s mobile apps
Pros
Depending on the work environment, you can be in charge of many IT-related responsibilities. This will allow you to increase your KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) and become a highly valued IT person. The satisfaction you feel in being able to use your technical skills to help solve other people’s problems.
Cons
Responding to help desk tickets can be repetitive and boring to the point where you’ll end up writing a scripted response to save time. How well-adjusted you become to a new job in IT can depend on how well the person who is training you is able to explain things well or, at least, able to document things well. This can be true no matter how many years of experience you have in the field.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to follow routines.
Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level IT Analysts with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $60,060 to $78,440 per year or $29 to $38 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $163,300 | $79 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $132,890 | $64 |
| Median | $103,590 | $50 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $78,440 | $38 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $60,060 | $29 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for IT Analysts based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | $132150 | $63.54 |
| Other Information Services | $131050 | $63.00 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $128330 | $61.70 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $127150 | $61.13 |
| Legal Services | $125980 | $60.57 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $125770 | $60.46 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $125730 | $60.45 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $124500 | $59.86 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $120250 | $57.81 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets | $118360 | $56.91 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can IT Analysts work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of IT Analysts including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 36280 | $108910 | $52.36 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 13330 | $104960 | $50.46 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 10880 | $110490 | $53.12 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 7410 | $110440 | $53.10 |
| Insurance Carriers | 5450 | $103230 | $49.63 |
| Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services | 5240 | $108600 | $52.21 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 4930 | $106790 | $51.34 |
| Employment Services | 4470 | $106180 | $51.05 |
| Telecommunications | 4450 | $104470 | $50.23 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 4220 | $124500 | $59.86 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Healthcare Information Privacy Assurance and Security
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
Computer Science
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Network and System Administration/Administrator
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
Information Technology Project Management
Information Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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