computer science vs information technology salary

Computer science and information technology are both highly competitive fields, but they are also very different in many ways. If you’re considering going into either of these fields, it’s important to understand the differences between them so you can make a more informed decision about which one is right for you. In this article we will discuss Computer Science Vs Information Technology Salary, computer science vs information technology which is better, computer science salary, computer science jobs and is information technology easier than computer science.

Information Technology VS Computer Science: Which is Better?

Are Computer Scientists paid well? Obviously! That’s because the demand for IT specialists is higher than ever. Additionally, you’ll find that it’s not easy to become a Computer Science expert. Read on to know more on Computer Science Vs Information Technology Salary, computer science vs information technology which is better, computer science salary, computer science jobs and is information technology easier than computer science.

Most jobs only require a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, but you might need a Master’s degree in management positions, which demand more specialised knowledge and work experience.

Computer Science Vs Information Technology Salary

We begin with Computer Science Vs Information Technology Salary, then, computer science vs information technology which is better, computer science salary, computer science jobs and is information technology easier than computer science.

Information Technology (IT) vs Computer Science (CS) is a quite interesting discussion. Both IT and Computer Science degrees provide graduates with jobs with rewarding salaries.

This is because the world is constantly progressing in technology and students with computer and technology knowledge are in great demand. Meanwhile, in the IT vs CS discussion, don’t make the mistake of taking them both to mean the same thing.

A CS degree prepares you for jobs that involve designing and developing computer programs, software, and applications. An IT degree, on the other hand, prepares you for high salary jobs revolving around the usage and troubleshooting of programs, software, and applications.

In addition, while IT vs CS degree jobs are both rewarding, our sample of IT degree jobs has salaries ranging from $48,263 to $87,408. On the other hand, CS degree jobs sample salary ranging from $67,090 to $80,201.

Another important factor to weigh when deciding which of these technology degrees to pursue is the earning potential. Let’s take a look at what the DOL reports for 2019 median annual salaries for some of the most common computer science and information technology positions.

Median annual computer science salaries (2019):¹

Software developer: $107,510
Computer systems analyst: $90,920
Application developer: $107,510
Web developer: $73,760

Median annual information technology salaries (2019):¹

Computer support specialist: $52,270
Information systems administrator: $83,510
Network architect: $112,690
Database administrator: $93,750

The reported median annual salary for all occupations in 2019 was $39,810.¹ It’s important to keep in mind that these numbers represent nationwide averages from workers of all education and experience levels. Even so, you can see that both fields offer career options that come with above-average earning potential.

We believe that with these, you can make good Information Technology vs Computer Science course decisions.

computer science vs information technology which is better

Next, we review computer science vs information technology which is better, computer science salary, computer science jobs and is information technology easier than computer science.

What Is Computer Science?

We will soon delve into the specifics of the discussion on Information Technology versus Computer Science. But first, let’s talk about what exactly Computer Science is.

Let us first break down the term ‘Computer Science’ into two. Once we grasp the meaning of science, it will become much easier for us to explain what Computer Science means.

Science refers to the act of conducting a thorough study of a subject. It involves the processes of observation as well as hands-on experimentation and testing in order to gain complete knowledge about the subject. That makes Computer Science an exhaustive study of everything related to computers.

what is computer science? — What is Computer Science?

You can divide Computer Science into two broad categories – theory and programming. In order to be a computer scientist, you need to be able to do two things:

First, you must understand precisely how a computer works.
Then, you apply whatever theory you learnt to efficiently communicate with and make better use of computers via programming.

Let us explain this to you in simpler terms.

Suppose you want to bake a cake. Would you be able to do that if you did not know about the ingredients? Of course not. You must know how much flour, baking powder, sugar or eggs would go into your cake. Knowing the recipe is the theoretical part.

Next comes the process of baking itself. You mix all the ingredients into a batter and put it into the oven. After some time, your cake will be ready to eat!

That is how Computer Science works too. So what are the ingredients of Computer Science?

Most Computer Science programs cover the following subjects in varying levels of detail/depth:

Mathematics
Electronics
Physics
Programming
Other engineering electives

What Is Information Technology?

The field of Information Technology is mostly focused on the business applications of computer-related knowledge. It does not focus much on the programming aspect, unlike CS.

IT students learn how to solve business problems by using technical resources efficiently. Regardless of which industry you are part of, you may be presented with applying your IT skills to its business processes.

An essential part of IT is information exchange. Considering the name of this field, it is quite clear that a large part of this field is heavily reliant on data. Wherever there is transmission or exchange of data happening, you may have an opportunity to improve this process via efficient IT solutions.

Besides data management, you also have the option to solve networking or security problems. You can think of yourself as a troubleshooter. Whenever a member of an organization faces any technological challenge, who do they call for help? That’s right – an IT professional.

So whether you choose to join a software house or a supermarket, there will always be a need for an IT person. Here’s what you will have to study to qualify for such a position:

Networking
Telecommunications
Database design and management
Programming fundamentals
Mathematics
Management information systems (MIS)
Other domain-specific software, e.g., for accounting or inventory

Information Technology VS Computer Science: Which Degree Is Right For You?

Are you finding it difficult to choose between a CS and IT degree? Let’s break things down, discuss the difference between IT and Computer Science, and make it easier for you to decide.

There are two important questions that you need to answer honestly before you make your decision.

What do you want to do?
What are you good at?

The first question is a simple one. Once students finish high school, they may be lost and confused about picking a major. However, they do have a fair idea about their interests. Here is an example.

Student A is interested in making mobile apps and websites.

Student B is curious about computer networking and communication and managing databases.

Student A may not know which language they want to master, which technology stack they want to work on, or other programming specifics. Student B also might not be an expert in either area of interest. What should they do in this situation?

CS vs IT - Which degree is right for you? — CS vs IT – Which degree is right for you?

One possible solution is that both students pick subjects that cover all of their potential areas of interest. A could choose CS, and B could choose IT. Once they study these subjects in detail, they will be able to make a better decision about what option they want to stick with as a career in the future.

This brings us to our second point: What are they good at? If Student A is skilled at coding, they could easily choose Computer Science as their major. On the other hand, if student B is better at database-related tasks, they would be more likely to go for Information Technology.

Is Information Technology Easier Than Computer Science?

This question is often part of the classic “Computer Science vs Information Technology” debate. Let’s answer it for you in as easy a way as we can. Here are a few things you must remember:

Most people weigh the difference between Computer Science and Information Technology in terms of the level of difficulty. They think IT is easier because it has a narrower scope than CS. However, that is FALSE. The scope for both majors is very wide. And so is the learning.
Plus, the concept of easy and difficult is relative. If you can’t understand something, you will think that it is difficult. But if your concept is crystal clear, you will surely say, “Oh, that’s a piece of cake!”

Information Technology vs Computer Science

The third factor is your area and level of interest. For example, if you like swimming but hate cooking, you will definitely find it much easier to learn the former. When interest peaks, we allow ourselves to learn new concepts. So, if you are not interested in learning a particular subject, it may end up making you want to skip classes, or even doze off during lectures.

Studying IT subjects means you will be going through basic programming lessons, perhaps, or databases and computer networks. Unlike IT, Computer Science is based on a lot of mathematics, computation theory, and concrete programming concepts. Now it is up to you to decide which of these things are easy for you, and which are not.

Is Information Technology A Branch Of Computer Science?

An important question that comes up in the IT vs Computer Science comparison is: Is IT a branch of CS or are they the same?

Most colleges offer a degree in either CS or IT. Very few offer both CS and IT simultaneously because of the overlapping syllabus. If there was any significant difference between Computer Science and Information Technology, more colleges would consider offering both programs separately.

These are the key differences between their course contents:

Computer Science	Information Technology
Computer Theory	Programming fundamentals
Programming	Databases fundamentals
Software Engineering	Cloud Computing
Data Structures	Systems and Network Administration
Database Systems	Network Security
Operating Systems	System Integration and Architecture
Theory of Automata	Applications of programs developed by CS majors

There is also a difference between the job opportunities available for graduates of the two majors. Some particular jobs are better suited for IT graduates. CS graduates are better at other jobs that are specifically for them. Therefore, career options differ for CS and IT graduates.

The work environment also usually differs. IT professionals typically end up working in strictly business settings. CS grads, on the other hand, have a wide range of possibilities for potential workplaces – software houses, businesses, educational institutions etc.

Computer science focuses on the efficient development of applications. On the other hand, Information Technology is more devoted to figuring out how to use those applications for solving business problems. So at this point, both CS and IT is better depending on what you choose to be.

computer science salary

Now, we find out computer science salary, computer science jobs and is information technology easier than computer science.

Are Computer Scientists paid well? Obviously! That’s because the demand for IT specialists is higher than ever. Additionally, you’ll find that it’s not easy to become a Computer Science expert.

Most jobs only require a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, but you might need a Master’s degree in management positions, which demand more specialised knowledge and work experience.

We’ve done our research and found a great report from PayScale, which reveals the highest paying Computer Science jobs in the US. We’ve included both the average annual salary and the mid-career pay – that’s how much you’ll earn after 10 years of work experience.