IT skills can give you lots of job options in New York City, many of them lucrative. IT experts work in a surprising number of fields, including software development, technical support, data science, cybersecurity, web development, cloud computing, computer hardware, and artificial intelligence. In fact, almost every business organization needs to hire employees with IT skills. If you're evaluating training options, understanding how to learn IT can help determine which types of classes match your goals.
The tech industry in New York City is growing rapidly, with no signs of slowing down, making expertise in IT a valuable asset that can give you many different career options and help provide future job security. According to “Spotlight: New York City’s Tech Sector”–a recent report by the New York City Comptroller–both the number of tech jobs and average tech salaries have been rising rapidly over the past ten years. It notes that while Wall Street has historically been known as the primary driver of the New York City economy, that has been surpassed by the tech sector recently. It says, “Tech industry employment in the 5 boroughs of New York City has increased by a striking 160%, surpassed only by the San Francisco area.” A broader look at why IT skills are essential in NYC shows how this growth connects to long-term economic trends.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has conducted research that reveals that tech employment in this city is growing. NYCEDC reports that growth in tech jobs in New York City was seven times higher than the overall city growth rate between 2010 and 2021. On its “Emerging Tech” website page, it says, “With a mix of big established companies and over 25,000 startups, the NYC tech sector is valued at over $189 billion, and explosive growth over the last decade has propelled NYC into the world’s second-largest technology hub.”
Tech jobs in New York City pay well, often significantly more than in other parts of the country. One source for IT salary estimates is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The organization finds that in the United States, the annual mean wage for a Software Developer is approximately $130,000, whereas in New York City, it is a lot more, at about $152,000. Computer Network Architects in New York City earn around $153,000 compared to the national average of $129,000, and Information Security Analysts make approximately $146,000, compared to the national average of only $120,000.
What New York City industries are hiring employees with expertise in IT?
Almost every New York City Industry has a need for IT experts; however, demand is particularly high in some areas. One is artificial intelligence. According to Tech:NYC, jobs in AI recently increased by 39 percent in New York, which is more than in the Silicon Valley area. The organization reports that about a third of all venture capital raised by startups in New York City is for AI. While AI jobs are growing fast, employers consistently report that they need more candidates with expertise in this field.
Cybersecurity is another area of high demand. NYCEDC calls New York City a “global Cyber hub” and reports that it has over 300 dedicated cyber companies and employs more than 60,000 people. McKinsey & Company finds significant growth in this area. In a recent article titled “New York 2040: Time to Reinvent. Again,” it states, “From 2019 to 2024, the region secured 15 percent of US PE and VC cyber investments, trailing only Miami (28 percent) and San Francisco (16 percent). As a global financial hub with more than 300,000 businesses, New York could be [a] natural leader in cybersecurity.” Additionally, it finds that the demand for talented professionals in this area is high, with more than 20,000 job openings in cybersecurity in New York City.
Data Science experts are also highly sought after in New York City. There will be rapid growth in this field over the next decade, according to BLS data. The agency finds that the New York City metropolitan area far exceeds any other for data science jobs, with more than 16,000 people employed in this field. Salaries also rank high compared to the national average, with a mean annual wage of about $141,000, according to BLS.
New York City FinTech industries are also actively seeking IT experts. This city has quickly become a national hub for FinTech because of its combination of strength in finance and tech. According to the NYCEDC, it has the number two FinTech startup ecosystem in the United States. The organization reports that the city has 375 FinTech startups and that they raised more than $21 billion in the most recent year studied.
Will I need to learn to code?
While some IT roles are impossible without coding skills, there are also IT jobs where you don’t need to code. That means that if you want to work in IT, you can learn to code if you want, but you probably don’t have to. Data Scientist, Web Developer, Software Engineer, and Database Administrator are jobs that probably require coding skills. Systems Administrator, IT Support Specialist, Cybersecurity Administrator, and Network Administrator are positions where you probably won’t need to know how to code.
Even though there are plenty of IT jobs that you can get without knowing how to code, coding skills can definitely be an asset in this field. A resume with coding skills can stand out to employers. Coding skills can increase the number of career paths open to you and let you transition to more IT roles in the future. With an understanding of coding, you can better understand how software and other tech systems work and more easily communicate with other experts in this field, which can also be an advantage in any IT job.
How much do IT classes cost in New York City?
The cost of IT classes varies widely. The type of school you attend makes a difference. New York City ranks highly for the quality of its educational institutions, but tuition costs are also high at many schools. While every school is different, universities are often the most expensive way to learn IT in New York City. They can cost tens of thousands of dollars each year. A specialized training school for students who want to learn tech is a lower-cost alternative to university. There are lots of these in New York City. They have certificate courses, bootcamps, and other offerings that can prepare students for lots of IT careers.
The type of class you choose will also make a difference to the cost of learning IT. The least expensive educational options are shorter programs that only run for a day or two. Because they don’t take long, they cover less, and they can be a good choice if you only need to learn a few things, like a specific application or coding language like Java. Bootcamps, certificate programs, and other longer classes usually cost more than the short courses. However, they also cover more material. A bootcamp or certificate course might be the best choice for students looking for a comprehensive IT education that will set them up for future success. Some Bootcamps and certificate programs include career support, like help with your resume and portfolio. When you use this support, you can get advice from experts in this field and gain a lot of insider information. Some training providers also offer IT programs for veterans, which may include additional support or funding opportunities.
How hard are IT classes?
The field of IT is very technical, and IT classes can be challenging. The difficulty involved depends in part on your existing level of experience. For instance, you’ll learn more quickly if you already know something about tech or coding. Most people find that their learning experience also depends on the type of IT class chosen. Some topics--like programming or cybersecurity–tend to be more challenging for students.
The level of expertise that you’re striving for is another factor that makes a difference when you’re learning IT. It can be easy to learn some basic data analysis skills or understand how to use a specific AI tool, but a challenge to prepare for a career in software engineering. Regardless of what they already know, though, most students find that if they start with the basics, learn from an expert, and spend plenty of time practicing, they can thrive in their IT learning experience.
How long does it take to learn IT?
Many people can learn entry-level IT skills in just a few months; however, becoming an expert in most IT fields will take longer. Some people spend years learning these skills. New York City has hundreds of IT job opportunities, which is good for job-seekers. But at the same time, the New York IT market is competitive. This means that the type of IT education you get can make a big difference to your job-hunting success. If you enroll in a more comprehensive IT course, you’ll need to spend longer learning, but you might ultimately be more successful in your job search because you’ll have a more competitive set of skills. For those looking to start a new career path, this often syncs up with the process of becoming an IT professional.
There is more to it than just taking a class, which is another reason that learning IT can take a while. You also need experience. As you spend time practicing your new IT skills, you’ll get comfortable applying them in real-world situations. You’ll also learn how to adapt and problem-solve when you come up against unexpected situations, and you can better understand where you need to improve. All of these are crucial to success in IT. Finally, IT is not a static field, so the IT learning process is never over. Success in IT comes from continually working to keep yourself up to date on new IT technologies.
