What does a data center engineer do?

 data center jobs salary

Data Center Engineer Job Description Example

What Does a Data Center Engineer Do?

Datacenter engineers are responsible for designing, setting up, and managing information/network systems at data centers.

Their job description entails monitoring systems operations and administering IT solutions to ensure servers, hard drives, and other data center equipment function efficiently.

It also involves the maintenance of HVAC and electrical systems at a data center.

Datacenter engineers inspect power/cooling systems to identify and fix flaws that may be detrimental to network performance.

They also maintain and conduct repairs on the physical structure that houses data center equipment.

As part of their duties, the engineers monitor and evaluate servers contained in a data center.

They calibrate them and perform backups to ensure standard performance and preservation of useful data.

They also perform data center renovations to ensure an energy efficient system.

The role of data center engineers also usually involves installing, configuring and maintaining routers, firewalls and virtual private networks.

Becoming An Aerospace Engineer

  different engineering jobs

and air and space craft structure. These aerospace engineers oversee the upgrades to these subsystems and assess the risks or benefits to the overall system.

Becoming An Aerospace Engineer

To become an aerospace engineer, one must earn an engineering degree from an accredited university. There are three types of aerospace degree programs available including undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs. To work as a junior-level aerospace engineer, one must start by earning an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an example of a highly ranked school offering undergraduate degrees in aerospace engineering. As their name implies, Embry-Riddle's degree program is aircraft focused and not spacecraft centric.

The University of Southern California is also a top ranked aerospace engineering degree program provider, and its undergraduate courses include both air and space studies.

Aerospace engineers looking for a career edge typically embark upon graduate and doctoral studies. Georgia Institute of Technology and Wichita State University have two of the top aerospace engineering advanced degree programs in the country; Wichita State University is also famous for the amount of research funding it has secured for its graduate students, doctoral candidates, and professors.

Aerospace Engineering Employment & Outlook

Although aerospace engineering is an exciting career field, those wishing to enter the industry expect strong competition for positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for this engineering specialty is only projected to rise at a rate of five percent over the next seven years. This specialty lags behind other engineering disciplines in job growth by six percent and is well under the national average growth rate for jobs in other industries.

Typical Aerospace Engineer Salary

Aerospace engineering salaries depend upon many factors including experience, industry segment, job location, and educational credentials. Senior-level aerospace engineers obviously command higher salaries than their junior-level counterparts. Additionally, aerospace engineers that work on defense systems that require security clearances often have higher salaries than those simply working on commercial aircraft upgrades.

These engineers working in the defense industry also experience a greater amount of job security while their colleagues who work on commercial aircraft worry about manufacturing jobs being sent overseas. According to the BLS, the average annual salary earned by an aerospace engineer in 2010 was $97,480.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Even though the experts expect slow growth in this career field, career advancement opportunities still exist for those with the right skills. According to BLS, aerospace engineers that set themselves apart from the rest are the ones who have modeling and simulation skills in addition to a standard aerospace engineering background. The aerospace industry mainly conducts upgrades of its original air and space craft, and these upgrades require extensive testing to make sure that improvements work as expected and when implemented no original functionality is lost.

Most engineering and information technology organizations now rely heavily on modeling and simulation and computer based testing as a cost-effective way to test their systems. Aerospace engineers who know how to use these collaborative test tools save their organizations time and budget on projects.

Career tips for all aerospace engineers are to keep skills fresh and relevant through continued education and training and to network with other professionals by joining the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics an aerospace professional association.

Early career of Cable Technician

  structured cabling technician salary

An early career Cable Technician with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $16.24 based on 270 salaries. ... In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $25.

Yes, there are many challenges you meet everyday. There are “Special customers” you have to tend to and lots of obstacles you have to go around. I had months where every job took me more than 2hrs to finish and i had months where i was in and out of a house in less than 1/2 and hour. In my humble opinion, the guys who have it rough are the guys who work in residential/commercial areas where you have to do pole work. Dragging out a 20ft ladder, extending it and climbing up it on a very cold day can get to you. The worst is going into someone backyard and gaffing a pole (spikes on your boots) and working up 50 feet off the ground in adverse weather.

When i was brand new on the job, when analog cable was still a “thing” an asian man came up to me while i was in between jobs. He told me that they cut off his cable by mistake and asked if i can reconnect it. Being naive & want to have good customer service at the time, i went up on the roof where our equipment was located and saw that his line was “tagged” (the port was blocked by a security device) and put him back on the 8 port tap. Went downstairs and he was delighted that the cable came back on. As i was leaving the chinese restaurant, i see that there was old analog boxes that we did not use anymore but FIXED for hot cable boxes. He saw look at them and told me that he will call next time to get them changed out. He told me to order anything on the menu which i ordered shrimp and lobster and they prepared it for me and gave me 2 cans of soda. On my way back into the truck he shoves money in my breastpocket and didn't think much of it. later on i see that it was more than a $20 tip he gave me - he gave me $300 in $20 dollar bills!!

-I Was on lunch on the westside of manhattan & a spanish guy comes up to me while im in my truck having lunch. He gives me the sad story that he missed his appointment and if i can install cable in his place. He is telling me profusely that he will “take care of me” and escorts me upstairs to his apartment. He has about a dozen guests in his apartment and all of them are happy to see me and offer me food and drink which i decline since im on the job. I tell the dispatcher that im installing the equipment in his house and to activate the equipment that i installed in his apartment. As soon as the t.v. comes on, everybody is cheerful and happy claps like i performed some type of miracle. When im about to leave his apartment, he shoves a beer in my toolbag and shoves a bunch of money in my breastpocket. As im going down in the elevator, i see that he was very VERY generous $500 to be exact!! I found out from the doorman that he is a businessman from spain and he is only he

Communications technicians work

 Essential Information

Communications technicians work in a broad array of settings to ensure that vital communication equipment operates properly. Earning a postsecondary education credential like a certificate or associate's degree can give aspiring communications technicians a leg up in finding employment.

Required Education	Postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate's degree
Projected Job Growth (2018-2028)	-6% for Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers*
Mean Annual Salary (2018)	$56,100 annually for Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Description

Communications technicians maintain, construct, and repair the equipment used for electronic communications, cable televisions, satellites, wireless devices, phones, radio, and broadband equipment. They may work on fiber optic lines, transmitters, antennas, and signal processing equipment. They may also operate network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and RF generators.

Workplace

Communications technicians may be on call around-the-clock and work for telephone, cable, equipment repair, and research companies. Accordingly, some may work on new equipment in factory and manufacturing settings, while others may install or repair new or existing products in the field. Technicians may also work as cable systems installers, mobile radio technicians, electronic technicians, telecommunications specialists, wireless system supporters, and fiber optics systems specialists. To perform their duties, communications technicians may need to use ladders or bucket trucks to work on aerial lines. In some cases, these workers may also use underground equipment to complete their tasks.

Duties

Communications technician duties revolve around repairing, installing, or building communications equipment. As such, these professionals may need to operate mobile test equipment in order to detect faulty equipment and perform the necessary repairs. They may also travel to remote locations in order to work on devices like switches, distributors, routers, and dialers that may support telephones, cable televisions, Internet connections, and wireless communications.

Salary

In May 2018, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) determined that the mean annual wage for telecommunications repairers and installers was $57,080, with most of these professionals receiving salaries between $32,440 and $82,860 (the median was $56,100). Those employed in scientific research and development services earned the highest wages of all telecommunications technicians, with a mean annual salary of $71,150.

System Security Engineer job profile

 

System Security Engineer job description

 information security engineer jobs

This System Security Engineer job description template includes the list of most important System Security Engineer's duties and responsibilities. It is customizable and ready to post to job boards. Use it to save time, attract qualified candidates and hire best employees.

System Security Engineer job profile

System Security Engineers are responsible for preventing and mitigating security breaches that may arise within company's computer systems. They are experts in various fields such as information security, network security, and mobile security. 

In order to attract System Security Engineers that best matches your needs, it is very important to write a clear and precise System Security Engineer job description. 

Network Security Engineer | Duties and Responsibilities

   information security engineer jobs

What is a network security engineer? If you've ever been in need of someone who can quarantine viruses, malware, spyware and other harmful computer maladies, you might find them handy. A network security engineer protects your network from attacks by erasing bugs that are already existing, and protecting your network from future threats.

Network Security Engineer | Duties and Responsibilities

A network security engineer does a multifaceted job. They are responsible for many different tasks on the IT spectrum. Most of these tasks are related to security.

Some of their many duties include:

• Maintaining LAN, WAN and server architecture
• Solve existing security issues, such as viruses or hardware malfunction
• Testing systems for vulnerabilities in hardware and software
• Maintaining virtual private networks, firewalls, email security and web protocols, security and programs
• Creating virus detection systems
• Developing tracking scripts to record system vulnerabilities
• Reporting security analysis findings
• Supervising the instillation of new software and hardware
• Analyzing and implementing new security protocols and technologies
• Modifying regulatory systems within IT security
• Maintaining the integrity of hardware and software
• Investigating security breech alerts
• Create and maintain security policies
• Develop authentication and authorization protocols
• Occasionally replacing system architecture
• Maintaining servers and switches

Network Security Engineer | Salary

According to PayScale.com, the average salary of a network security engineer is $85,000, and they have a high level of job satisfaction. Some engineer jobs will require traveling to different branches of a company to oversee instillation or replace an older system’s architecture.

Security Tools for Your Network

When it comes to a business’s computer network, you can never be too secure. Unencrypted networks and faulty software leaves your network vulnerable to malware, phishing, proxies, spyware, adware, botnets and more.

At SolarWinds MSP (formerly LOGICnow), our iScan software can be a valuable tool in any network security engineer’s arsenal. Our iScan software is a vulnerability assessment software and analytics program that scans all devices in your network and finds the sensitive data that sits on hard drives. It then puts a dollar value to the risk of it being there, saving businesses time and money.

information security engineer jobs

  information security engineer jobs

Information security analysts use their ingenuity and strong analytical skills to protect one of a company’s most important assets: electronic data. For people who find that idea intriguing, learning how to become an information security analyst can send them on a path that is likely to be challenging, rewarding, and ever-evolving. Technology is constantly improving and changing, making the position among the most fascinating jobs in the information technology world. Ultimately, the work performed enables a company to conduct business in a safe, efficient manner.

Steps to Becoming an Information Security Analyst

Pursuing a career as an information security analyst may be attractive to anyone who has always had an intense interest in learning how things work, to the point of taking gizmos and computers apart and putting them back together. While this could be the spark that eventually ignites an interest in a technology career, the typical journey to become an information security analyst is one that’s built on a combination of focused education and experience.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Most positions for information security analysts require a bachelor’s degree in a computer- or technology-related field. These undergraduate degrees can stem from generalized programs such as computer science or programming, or they can be linked to programs pointed toward the security elements of the computer world, such as a Bachelor’s of Science in Cybersecurity.

Those who wish to take a deeper dive into computer-based security on an undergraduate level may want to pursue a degree like a Bachelor’s of Science in Management Information Systems. This type of education can help students apply their developing computer security skills in a business management context — a role that goes beyond the realm of spotting a bug or virus or learning the latest computer security techniques.

A Bachelor’s of Science in Management Information Systems is intended to prepare students to properly design, develop, implement, and oversee a company’s computer security system, all within the confines of a typical modern business. The curriculum typically provides up-to-date knowledge about various IT-related systems and trends, exposing students to knowledge that is used by professionals who are already working in the industry.

The knowledge and skill set honed by attaining a Bachelor’s of Science in Management Information Systems degree can also prepare students to handle other critical computer-related issues. For instance, the degree program can help teach an information security analyst the basics of how to create, analyze, and execute a data disaster recovery plan. The tasks involved can include transferring data to an off-site venue, restarting an entire IT system, and restoring its integrity in the aftermath of a catastrophe.

Step 2: Gain On-the-Job Experience

While a degree may help students stand out in the job market, it is recommended that potential candidates add experience to their résumé. Typically, an intermediate-level security analyst position requires several years of experience in information security, although some employers may accept experience gained in a computer-related field. This type of on-the-job experience demonstrates to potential employers that candidates know how to apply their knowledge in real-world situations, which makes hiring the candidate more viable.

As is the case with most careers in the technology industry, a key element of on-the-job experience is focused on staying abreast of newly emerging technologies and methods in cybersecurity. These advances can range from state-of-the-art firewall systems, to new strategies built around incident responses. Being cognizant of these advances can enable information security analysts to gain practical experience in staying one step ahead of potential cyber breaches.

Step 3: Attain Certifications and Training (Optional)

In addition to keeping current with cyber safety issues, it’s equally important to keep abreast of the latest developments on the other side of the equation, i.e., the cyber attack side. Malevolent attempts to penetrate computer networks and systems, such as malware implementation and denial of service (DoS) attacks, are constantly taking on new appearances. It’s up to information security analysts to be up to the task for taking on these new versions and variants.

One of the best ways for information system analysts to keep up with the constantly changing face of cybersecurity is to pursue certifications. Some employers require that job candidates — and even current employees — possess specialized technology certifications, as these provide further validation of a candidate’s skill set and core competencies.

Some credentials, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), reflect knowledge in general information security. However, there are other specialized certifications that indicate that a professional has deeper knowledge of a specific aspect of cybersecurity. For instance, a Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst certification emphasizes skills related to malware analysis, while a Certified Ethical Hacker credential demonstrates the capacity to lawfully hack into a network’s security system to expose flaws.

Some of the credentials graduates may be interested in pursuing feature prerequisites. To be eligible to apply for CISSP certification, candidates must have at least five years of experience in two or more of CISSP’s eight domains, such as asset security, identity and access management (IAM), or communication and network security.  To apply for an initial Certified Ethical Hacker certification, candidates must either have at least two years experience in an information security domain or have attended an officially sanctioned training course.

Step 4: Pursue an MS in Cybersecurity for Advancement (Optional)

Although it does take years of on-the-job experience to work up to becoming an information security analyst, it may be faster with an advanced degree like a Master’s in Cybersecurity. A program such as this typically merges academic coursework with practical work experience in a business environment. This experience component not only helps refine skills associated with cybersecurity, but also helps to gain insight into the business side of the profession. Exposure may include real-world case studies and analysis of the legal ramifications of the profession.

An advanced curriculum in cybersecurity also usually helps strengthen skills relevant to adjacent subject areas, such as computer engineering and business. This can provide a more well-rounded and holistic approach to the information security analyst position, which, along with relevant work experience, may help graduates be considered for higher level positions or advancement

What Does a Cyber Security Engineer Do?

  information security engineering

According to Cybrary, which advances online learning in the field of cybersecurity, employers typically look for cyber security engineer candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field of study, and who have the following skills and abilities:

• Understanding of cyber security methodologies
• The ability to evaluate system changes for security implications and the knowledge to make recommendations for improvements
• Knowledge of current cyber security trends, as well as the continued research of emerging trends and hacking techniques
• Proficiency in Java, Python Net, C++, bash, and power shell
• Networking experience with the TCP/IP stack (may not be a requirement, but is often preferred)
• Solid understanding of the OSI model and renowned ports and services (may not be a requirement, but is often preferred)
• The ability to work well with others, including collaboration and communication with other departments
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and to work under pressure
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills

Cyber security engineers, Cybrary says, are responsible for protecting the networks and systems of an organization against threats from adversaries in cyberspace. The functions of cyber security engineers include:

• Performing assessments and penetration testing
• Development and implementation of secure network solutions
• Architecting and engineering trusted systems into secure systems
• Managing audit/intrusion and security technology systems

Cyber security engineers must be able to troubleshoot, identify unauthorized access, and offer solutions regarding an organization’s system and network as it relates to cyber security. Cyber security engineers, says Cybrary, “perform the very detailed work at the forefront of information protection efforts for the organization. It is your training, skills, experience, and education that stand between the organization for which you work and threats and breaches, like unauthorized access to data and information or intrusion into your organization’s systems.”

Cyber security engineers may also be known as IT security engineer, application security engineer, web security engineer, or data security engineer. “Whatever the title, you will also be responsible for collaborating with other departments to establish security protocols and protect IT systems,” says Cybrary.

security engineer requirements

  security engineer requirements

Security engineers develop and supervise data and technology security systems to help prevent breaches, taps, and leaks associated with cybercrime. Alternate titles for this career include information assurance engineer, information systems security engineer, and information security engineer.

Companies may combine a security engineering role with an analyst’s role, but these positions typically focus on different things. Security analysts identify cybersecurity weaknesses, while security engineers build systems, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to defend against attacks or leaks.

As commerce and data storage increasingly move into the cloud, organizations increasingly require robust information security systems. As a result, information security professionals can work across diverse industries, such as computer systems design, manufacturing, insurance, finance, and education.

The guide below describes security engineer degree requirements, entry-level experience, job responsibilities, and career skill sets. This page also introduces security engineer degrees that can launch young professionals toward exciting career opportunities in this growing, lucrative field. According to PayScale, security engineers make an average annual salary of $90,923.

information security engineer

 information security engineer

• Engineering, implementing and monitoring security measures for the protection of computer systems, networks and information
• Identifying and defining system security requirements
• Designing computer security architecture and developing detailed cyber security designs

• Job brief

  We are looking for a capable System Security Engineer, who enjoys security work and possesses both deep and wide expertise in the security space.

  You will make things more secure by protecting system boundaries, keeping computer systems and network devices hardened against attacks and securing highly sensitive data. Qualified candidates will have a background in Security or Systems Engineering.

  Responsibilities

  • Engineer, implement and monitor security measures for the protection of computer systems, networks and information
  • Identify and define system security requirements
  • Design computer security architecture and develop detailed cyber security designs
  • Prepare and document standard operating procedures and protocols
  • Configure and troubleshoot security infrastructure devices
  • Develop technical solutions and new security tools to help mitigate security vulnerabilities and automate repeatable tasks
  • Ensure that the company knows as much as possible, as quickly as possible about security incidents
  • Write comprehensive reports including assessment-based findings, outcomes and propositions for further system security enhancement

  Requirements

  • Proven work experience as a System Security Engineer or Information Security Engineer
  • Experience in building and maintaining security systems
  • Detailed technical knowledge of database and operating system security
  • Hands on experience in security systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-virus software, authentication systems, log management, content filtering, etc
  • Experience with network security and networking technologies and with system, security, and network monitoring tools
  • Thorough understanding of the latest security principles, techniques, and protocols
  • Familiarity with web related technologies (Web applications, Web Services, Service Oriented Architectures) and of network/web related protocols
  • Problem solving skills and ability to work under pressure
  • BS degree in Computer Science or related field

Network Security Engineer - CCNA

 information security engineer jobs

What is a CCNA Level Engineer and What Do They Do?

The IT support and services industry is somewhat different than other industries offering professional services to businesses. While the financial industry, lawyers, accountants, and others have industry-standard certifications and required licensing to do business, the IT industry does not.

That’s not to say that there are no benchmarks that IT services professionals meet. Instead of an industry governing body – or the government – setting specific qualifications to do business as an IT professional, certifications are earned from the various hardware and software vendors to prove competency in servicing that specific hardware or software solution.

CCNA is one of those vendor certifications that network engineers work, learn, and test to earn.

CCNA stands for “Cisco Certified Network Associate.”

As you’ve likely guessed, Cisco – the world’s leader in networking and security hardware and software – is the vendor that administers the testing to earn the CCNA certification.

CCNA certification sits on the second tier (Associate) of a four-tier Cisco Career Path Certification program. The four tiers are:

• Tier #1 – Entry
• Tier #2 – Associate
• Tier #3 – Professional
• Tier #4 – Expert

The CCNA designation is assigned to individuals that have successfully completed proprietary Cisco exams in one or more of the following disciplines.

• CCNA Routing and Switching
• CCNA Security
• CCNA Service Provider
• CCNA Cloud
• CCNA Collaboration
• CCNA Wireless
• CCNA Cyber Ops
• CCNA Data Centre
• CCNA Industrial

What Is The Process To Achieve A CCNA Designation?

The training to take the exams is available to applicants in the form of online courses, hard copy books, and in a classroom setting. Once the individual has gone through the material and has proven an acceptable understanding of the material, he/she goes on to take the exam.

Cisco’s CCNA exams are different from the exams you took in school. Cisco exams do not have a set pass/fail score. The pass/fail score fluctuates according to statistical analysis. So going into the exam, the candidate does not know how many questions he/she must answer correctly to pass the test.

After the candidate takes the exam, a report is generated by Cisco showing how the candidate did on each piece of the exam along with an indication as to whether the candidate passed or failed.

If the candidate passes, they are then CCNA certified for the next three years. The recertification process involves taking the exam (but not exactly the same questions) again or taking a test from a higher Cisco certification tier.

What is a Security Engineer?

  security engineer job description

A business’s computer network can never be too secure. Security engineering focuses on designing computer systems that can deal with disruptions such as natural disasters or malicious cyber attacks.

Faulty software can leave networks vulnerable to malware, spyware, adware, phishing and more. A security engineer is someone who analyzes computer networks, ensures they are running securely, and tries to foresee possible security issues that could arise in the future

Which Engineers earn the most?

 

Which Engineers earn the most?

Before we look into the countries that tend to offer the most money for engineers, we thought it might be useful to explore those disciplines of engineering that tend to pay the most.

After all, engineering is something of an umbrella term that encompasses many different industries, specializations and, of course, competition for employment. 

The following are the top twenty highest paid engineering jobs. This data comes courtesy of typeofengineering.com .

The website compiled data from the US. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled with self-reported data from Universities, Forbes Magazine, US News & World Report, and reputable Engineering associations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Rank	Occupation	Average Annual Salary	Projected % growth in jobs between 2012 and 2022	Projected growth in jobs between 2012 and 2022
1	Petroleum Engineers	$147,520	25.50%	20,000
2	Architectural & Engineering Managers	$138,720	6.70%	61,000
3	Airline Pilots & Flight Engineers	$131,760	-6.60%	19,000
4	Computer Hardware Engineers	$110,650	7.40%	24,000
5	Aerospace Engineers	$107,700	7.30%	25,000
6	Sales Engineers	$104,660	8.90%	17,000
7	Nuclear Engineers	$104,630	9.30%	7,000
8	Chemical Engineers	$103,590	4.50%	9,000
9	Engineering Professors	$102,000	11.80%	11,000
10	Mining & Geological Engineers	$100,970	12%	3,000
11	Electronics Engineers	$99,660	3.40%	35,000
12	Marine Engineers	$99,160	10.30%	3,000
13	Engineers, All Other	$96,350	3.80%	30,000
14	Electrical Engineers	$95,780	4.70%	44,000
15	Biomedical Engineers	$91,760	26.60%	10,000
16	Materials Engineers	$91,150	0.90%	8,000
17	Mechanical Engineers	$87,140	4.50%	100,000
18	Civil Engineers	$87,130	19.70%	120,000
19	Environmental Engineers	$86,340	15.30%	21,000
20	Industrial Engineers	$85,100	4.5%	75,000

As interesting as this is, it must be borne in mind that these figures are just a snapshot in time. They don't, for example, capture potentially future trends in their respective industries. 

Some disciplines, like Petroleum Engineering, are highly paid at present but future employment could be affected by changes in the supply and demand of hydrocarbons around the world.

So long as consumption remains at least comparable to today, as well as reserves, this should be a lucrative choice for the near future.

But there is another interesting consideration with fields like Petroleum Engineering. It is predicted that many current employees are set to retire over the next ten years.

 This will certainly affect the demand for 'new blood', likely inflating offered salaries far in excess of current rates. 

Computer engineering is another field that might not be fairly represented in this data. It is a relatively new discipline in engineering with some claiming it is currently under-supplied with labor.

Of course, the future could see a dramatic reduction in wages as more and more new graduates flood the market over the next few years given its current popularity for undergraduates.

How much money do Techs Make?

 comm tech 2 salary

Tech Jobs Have a Wide Pay Gap

It’s no secret that technology jobs are in high demand. Accordingly, many offer high salaries.

But not all tech jobs are equally lucrative. Read on to find out which careers in the sector command the highest median paychecks, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Automotive technicians, sometimes called mechanics or service technicians, inspect vehicles and diagnose and repair problems. Because the automotive industry is becoming increasingly reliant on computer technology to power vehicle systems, automotive technicians who have an associate degree related to automobile repair may have an edge when looking for jobs.

National Salary Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics figures indicate that automotive technicians earned an average annual salary of $38,560 and an average hourly wage of $18.54 as of May 2011. Half of auto technicians reported annual salaries of between $26,850 and $47,540 and hourly wages of between $12.91 and $22.86. The 10 percent of automotive techs who earned the lowest made $20,620 or less per year, and the top 10 percent of earners made $59,600 or more per year. The BLS reports that auto technicians who receive certification from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence may experience higher pay and better job opportunities.

Geographical Pay Variations

Bureau of Labor Statistics figures as of May 2011 indicate that automotive technicians earned comparable rates of pay whether working in metropolitan or nonmetropolitan areas. On average, the highest-paying jobs were concentrated along the southwest and northeast coastal states, with auto technicians working in Alaska reporting the highest average salary, $52,090 per year. Other high-paying states included the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Auto techs in West Virginia reported the lowest average salary of any state, $28,040 

Cable Technician Requirements

  structured cabling technician salary

Cable Technicians install, repair, and maintain residential cabling for internet and television services. The duties of a Cable Technician include installing feeder lines that provide cable access to homes and businesses, laying ground cable, and setting up associated equipment for customers.

Cable Technician Responsibilities:

• Installing, maintaining, and repairing cable infrastructure.
• Performing maintenance on existing cabling systems.
• Testing newly installed or relocated cables according to company specifications.
• Identifying and removing redundant cabling.
• Installing of televisions, routers and internet technology devices.
• Troubleshooting issues with cable network.
• Installing of cable support structures such as j-hooks, cable racks, and innerduct.
• Repairing cable poles and towers.
• Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulations.
• Completing paperwork such as timesheets, checklists, vehicle inspection reports and service orders.

Cable Technician Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous work experience as a Cable Technician.
• Strong knowledge of mathematics, science and electrical systems.
• Ability to install complex internet and television equipment.
• Ability to work in cramped spaces.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot and fix any problems that may arise.
• Ability to work at heights.
• Ability to identify independent colors and learn color codes.
• Valid driver's license.