Issued August 2016

ACS-35

American Community Survey Reports

Occupations in Information Technology 

By Julia Beckhusen

INTRODUCTION

The number of men and women in computer occupations, informally known as information technology (IT) 

occupations, rose from 450,000 in 1970 to 4.6 million 

in 2014 (Figure 1). The increase of IT workers reflects 

the growth in computer use at home and at the workplace since the introduction of the personal computer 

in the mid-1970s. Between 1976 and 1984, the number 

of personal computer sales increased from 40,000 to 

over 6 million (Reimer, 2005). In 1984, 8.2 percent of 

households had a computer (File, 2013). This number 

has increased steadily to 85.0 percent in 2014.1

IT occupations span a number of professions, from 

computer research scientists and programmers to

Web developers and computer support specialists. 

The U.S. Census Bureau first classified IT occupations 

in 1970. The initial 3 occupation categories grew to 12 

by 2010 (Table 1).2 The expansion in categories reflects 

the increase in employment in these occupations since 

1970. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that 

employment in computer and mathematical occupations will increase by 18.0 percent between 2012 and 

1 Data on household computer use obtained from American 

FactFinder table DP02. In DP02, computer is defined as a desktop, 

laptop, handheld computer, or other computer (e.g., tablet). File (2013) 

uses data from the 1984 Current Population Survey, which defined 

computers as having “typewriter-like keyboards” and excluded “handheld computers” (Kominski, 1988). 2 The Census Bureau has based its occupation code lists on the 

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Manual since the manual 

was implemented in 1980. The SOC manual is available at <www.bls

.gov/soc>. Between 1850, when it first collected occupation data, and 

1980, the Census Bureau had created and maintained its own occupation classification.

2022 (Richards, 2013). Only 4 of the total 22 occupation groups were projected to grow faster.

This report explores the history of IT occupations 

between 1970 and 2014, focusing on the growth and 

evolution of IT occupations. The analysis includes estimates from the 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 censuses, 

and the 2010 and 2014 American Community Surveys 

(ACS). Additionally, this report provides a detailed 

description of demographic and employment characteristics of workers in the 12 IT occupations in 2014.

IT OCCUPATIONS SINCE 1970

The Census Bureau first identified IT occupations in the 

1970 census. In that year, 450,000 IT workers made up 

0.6 percent of the labor force (Figure 1). In these early 

years, computers were large, expensive mainframes 

mostly used by governments, research laboratories, 

and manufacturing firms. The market for personal 

computers used in businesses and at home developed 

in the mid-1970s (Ceruzzi, 2010). The number of 

personal computer sales grew from around 40,000 in 

1976 to over 1 million in 1980 (Reimer, 2005). As the 

market expanded, so did the demand for IT workers—

as evidenced by the 74.0 percent increase to 781,000 

workers in 1980 (0.8 percent of the labor force). 

Between the mid-1970s and 1990, the computer 

quickly moved from a specialty device to a commonplace machine in homes and businesses alike (Ceruzzi, 

2010). By 1990, annual personal computer sales had 
2 U.S. Census Bureau

reached nearly 20 million units (up 

from 6 million in 1984). Technology firms took advantage of the 

growing market by developing new 

hardware and software (Reimer, 

2005). The demand for IT workers 

grew steadily, and in 1990, they 

amounted to 1.5 million workers 

(1.2 percent of the labor force) 

(Figure 1).

The technology boom of the 1990s 

led to a steep increase in IT workers. The number of IT workers 

more than doubled to 3.4 million between 1990 and 2000 (2.5 

percent of the labor force) (Figure 

1). Careers involving computers 

expanded into new areas. In 2000, 

the Census Bureau expanded the 

number of IT occupations to eight. 

After the steep rise at the end of 

the 20th century, the technology 

bubble burst in 2000, causing the 

demand for IT workers to increase 

at a slower pace than in previous 

decades. When the Census Bureau 

updated its classification of occupations in 2010, the number of 

IT occupations rose from 8 to 12 

categories. By 2014, 4.6 million IT 

workers accounted for 2.9 percent 

of the labor force (Figure 1). 

Figure 1.

Information Technology (IT) Workers, Total and 

Percentage of Civilian Labor Force: 1970 to 20141

(Civilian labor force, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy

_of_Data_2014.pdf)

1 The data for IT workers from 1970 to 2000 were converted to the 2010 Census 

Occupation Code List to make them comparable across time.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Equal Employment Opportunity Supplementary Reports from 

the 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 censuses and 2010 and 2014 American Community Surveys.

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014

0.6% 0.8

1.2

2.5 2.5

2.9%

450,000

781,000

1.5 mil

3.4 mil

4.0 mil

4.6 mil

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014
U.S. Census Bureau 3

Comparing IT occupations 

over time

Between 1970 and the present, the 

growth and variety of computers 

and the Internet are reflected in the 

evolution of IT occupation classifications. The Census Bureau classified 3 IT occupations in 1970 and 

12 in 2010 (Figure 2).3 During this 

period, many IT occupations were 

“born,” but a few also “evolved” 

into new occupations. For example, 

between 1990 and 2000, the occupation computer support specialists 

was “born,” while the occupation 

computer systems analysts and 

scientists “evolved” and split into 

3 Although respondents from each survey 

answered similar questions regarding their 

occupation (see Figure 3), the occupation 

code their answers generated depended 

on the classification system used in that 

survey. For more information on how write-in 

responses are coded, see <www.census.gov

/people/io/about/occupation.html>.

eight new occupations. Each new 

classification system captured the 

changes to IT occupations. The 

Census Bureau updates its occupation code list every 10 years and 

any occupation data released uses 

the most recent list.4

From one occupational classification system to the next, IT occupations split, merged, or remained 

the same (Figure 4). In addition, 

some non-IT occupations split into 

IT occupations. These changes 

created occupation categories that 

had limited comparability between 

survey years. For example, three 

IT occupations reduced to two 

in 1980. The 1980 classification 

4 Occupation data from the ACS, between 

2005 and 2009, used the 2000 Census 

Occupation Code List. Starting in 2010, data 

from the ACS use the 2010 Census Occupation Code List. 

system merged computer specialists, all other with computer 

systems analysts. This merge 

makes decennial census data on 

computer systems analysts incomparable between 1970 and 1980 

without extra work (adding the 

number of computer specialists, all 

other with the number computer 

systems analysts in 1970 creates a 

comparable number to the number 

of computer systems analysts in 

1980). The change in IT occupations between 1970 and 1980 was 

simple relative to changes in later 

years—e.g., between 1990 and 

2000, two detailed IT occupations 

split into eight. Figure 4 displays 

the complexity of changes between 

classification systems.5

5 These complex changes are not specific 

to IT occupations. Most occupations have 

undergone some sort of change since their 

“birth” in the classification system. 

Database administrators

Network and computer 

systems administrators

Computer and 

information systems 

managers 

Network systems and 

data communications 

analysts

Computer support 

specialists

Computer programmers

Computer scientists and 

systems analysts 

Computer software 

engineers

Figure 2.

Growth of Detailed Information Technology (IT) Occupations: 1970 to 2014

(Civilian labor force, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Equal Employment Opportunity Supplementary Reports from the 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 censuses and 2010 

and 2014 American Community Surveys.

Computer and 

information research 

scientists

Information security 

analysts

Computer network 

architects 

Database administrators

Web developers

Network and computer 

systems administrators

Computer programmers

Computer systems 

analysts

Computer and 

information systems 

managers 

Computer occupations, 

all other

Computer support 

specialists

Software developers, 

applications and 

systems software

Computer specialists, 

all other

Computer systems 

analysts

Computer 

programmers

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014
4 U.S. Census Bureau

In order to compare data on IT 

occupations between survey 

years, the older occupation coding systems must be converted to 

the newer system. For occupations 

that changed, a conversion rate 

(supplied by the Census Bureau) is 

applied.6 Figure 4 shows the conversions for IT occupations between 

classification systems. For example, between 2000 and 2010, the 

2000 occupation code of network 

systems and data communications 

6 More information on conversion rates— 

how they are created and how they should 

be applied—can be found in various technical 

papers, see <www.census.gov/people/io

/publications/technical_papers.html>.

analysts split into five new occupations. The conversions show that 

nearly half of the 2000 occupation 

became Web developers and about 

one-quarter became computer 

network architects. Two percent 

of another 2000 code, computer 

scientists and systems analysts, 

also became computer network 

Figure 3.

Write-In Questions on Occupation From the 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 Decennial 

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

Figure 3: Reproduction of the Write-In Questions on Occupation from the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Decennia

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

1970

1980

1990

2010 and 2014

2000

1970

Figure 3: Reproduction of the Write-In Questions on Occupation from the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Decennial 

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

1970

1980

1990

2010 and 2014

2000

1980

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

1970

1980

1990

2010 and 2014

2000

1990

Figure 3: Reproduction of the Write-In Questions on Occupation from the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Decennial 

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

1970

1980

1990

2010 and 2014

2000 2000

Figure 3: Reproduction of the Write-In Questions on Occupation from the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Decennial 

Census Long Form and the 2010/2014 American Community Survey

1970

1980

1990

2010 and 2014

2000

2010 and 2014
U.S. Census Bureau 

5

Figure 4.The Growth and Increasing Complexity of Information Technology (IT) Occupations: 1970 to 2010(Civilian labor force, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Equal Employment Opportunity Supplementary Reports from the 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 censuses and 2010 American Community Survey.

www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2010.pdf)

Non-IT workers that would 

be considered IT in 2010

Computer systems analysts 

and scientists

Computer programmers

Non-IT workers that would 

be considered IT in 2010

Computer systems analysts 

and scientists

Computer programmers

Computer and information 

systems managers

Network and computer 

systems administrators

Database administrators

Network systems and data 

communications analysts

Computer scientists and 

systems analysts

Computer suport specialists

Computer software 

engineers

Computer programmers

Computer and information research scientistsComputer and information systems managersComputer network architectsNetwork and computer systems adminstratorsDatabase administratorsComputer occupations, all otherWeb developersInformation security analystsComputer systems analystsComputer support specialistsSoftware developers, applications and systems software Computer programmers

Non-IT workers that 

would be considered 

IT in 2010

Computer specialists

Computer systems 

analysts

Computer 

programmers 1970 2010 2000 1990 1980
6 U.S. Census Bureau

architects in 2010.7 The complexity 

of changes between the 2000 and 

2010 classification systems make 

comparing data on certain occupations an intricate task. The data 

for IT workers in Figures 1 and 7 

were converted to the 2010 Census 

Occupation Code List to make them 

comparable across time.

7 In order to compare the number of 

computer network architects between 2000 

and 2010, the number of computer network architects in 2000 would need to be 

computed. This is done by multiplying the 

number of network systems and data communications analysts in 2000 by 0.26 and the 

number of computer scientists and systems 

analysts by 0.02. Adding those together 

provides the number of computer network 

architects in 2000, which can then be compared with the 2010 number.

CHARACTERISTICS OF 

IT WORKERS IN 2014

The evolution of IT occupation classifications indicates how 

diverse this job area has become. 

IT occupations no longer focus on 

simply the hardware and software of the machines, but also the 

infrastructure of networks and the 

development and maintenance of 

the Internet and World Wide Web 

(BLS, 2010) (see Table 1). Exploring 

the characteristics of these workers 

brings to light the varying duties, 

skillsets, and earnings of these 

occupations.

In 2014, over three-quarters of 

employed IT workers were concentrated in half of the detailed 

occupations (Figure 5). Software 

developers, applications and system software was the largest computer occupation with 1.1 million 

workers (25 percent of IT workers). 

The next two largest groups of IT 

workers were computer support 

specialists and computer occupations, all other, at 12.8 percent 

and 12.3 percent, respectively.8

Computer and information research 

scientists was the smallest IT occupation, with 15,580 workers (0.35 

percent of all IT workers).

8 The percentage of computer support 

specialists (12.8 percent) is significantly 

higher than the percentage of computer occupations, all other (12.3 percent). However, the 

percentage of computer occupations, all other 

is not significantly different from the percentage of computer and information systems 

managers (12.2 percent) or computer systems 

analysts (12.2 percent). 

All IT workers = 100

Figure 5.

Distribution of Information Technology (IT) Workers Among Detailed 

Occupations: 2014

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Computer and information research scientists

Information security analysts

Computer network architects

Database administrators

Web developers

Network and computer systems administrators

Computer programmers

Computer systems analysts

Computer and information systems managers

Computer occupations, all other

Computer support specialists

Software developers, applications and systems software

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

25.0

12.8

12.3

12.2

12.2

9.9

4.6

4.3

2.6

2.4

1.3

0.4
U.S. Census Bureau 7

Occupation Description Illustrative example

Computer and 

information systems 

managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data 

processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer 

programming.

Chief Technology Officer, Information 

Technology Systems Director, Management 

Information Systems Director

Computer and 

Information research 

scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science 

as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in 

the field of computer hardware and software.

Programming Methodology and Languages 

Researcher, Control System Computer 

Scientist, Computational Theory Scientist

Computer systems 

analysts

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing 

problems to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user 

requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve 

existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, 

and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially 

available software.

Systems Architect, Information Systems 

Analyst, Applications Analyst, Data 

Processing Systems Analyst

Information security 

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.

Computer Security Specialist, Network 

Security Analyst, Internet Security Specialist

Computer 

programmers

Create, modify, and test the code, forms, and script that allow 

computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by 

software developers or other individuals. May assist software developers by analyzing user needs and designing software solutions. May 

develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve 

specific documents, data, and information.

Systems Programmer, Computer Language 

Coder, Applications Programmer

Software 

developers, 

applications and 

systems software

Research, design, develop, and test computer applications software 

and operating systems-level software. Analyze user needs and 

develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for 

client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency.

Computer Applications Engineer, Database 

Developer, Software Applications Engineer, 

Embedded Systems Software Developer, 

Computer Systems Software Architect 

Web developers Design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May 

integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert 

written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web 

formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web 

and multimedia content.

Web Designer, Internet Developer, Intranet 

Developer

Computer support 

specialists

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or 

resolve computer problems for clients in person or via telephone, or 

electronically. Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network 

(WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.

Desktop Support Specialist, Help Desk 

Technician, End-User Support Specialist, 

Network Technician, Network Diagnostic 

Support Specialist

Database 

administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying 

knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes 

to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security 

measures to safeguard computer databases.

Database Security Administrator, Database 

Management System Specialist

Network and 

computer systems 

administrators

Install, configure, and support an organization's LAN, WAN, and 

Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Monitor network 

to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform 

necessary maintenance to support network availability. May monitor 

and test Web site performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly 

and without interruption. May assist in network modeling, analysis, 

planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. 

Wide Area Network Administrator, Network 

Security Administrator, Network Coordinator

Computer network 

architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such 

as LAN, WAN, intranets, extranets, and other data communications 

networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. May 

also design network and computer security measures. May research 

and recommend network and data communications hardware and 

software.

Network Developer, Network Designer, 

Computer Network Engineer

Computer occupations, all otherAll computer occupations not listed separately. Computer Laboratory Technician

Table 1.

Descriptions of the 12 Distinct Census Information Technology Occupations 

(Adapted from the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification Manual available at www.bls.gov/soc)
8 U.S. Census Bureau

Demographics and 

Employment 

IT workers are more concentrated 

between ages 25 and 44 compared 

with all workers (Figure 6). Over 

half of employed IT workers fall 

within this age range, with 26.0 

percent between ages 25 and 34, 

and 29.0 percent between ages 

35 and 44. Across the detailed IT 

occupations, Web developers were 

some of the youngest with 38.0 

percent between ages 25 and 34, 

and 11.0 percent between ages 16 

to 24.9 Among the next youngest 

were computer support specialists 

and software developers, applications and system software. Computer and information research 

9 The percentage of Web developers between the ages of 16 and 24 is not 

statistically different than the percentage of 

computer support specialists in the same age 

group.

scientists, computer programmers, 

and computer and information systems managers were some of the 

oldest IT workers, with around 20 

percent over 54 years. These age 

distributions follow the age of the 

occupations. The more established 

IT occupations tend to have a larger 

share of workers over age 55 (see 

Figure 2)—computer and information research scientists, computer 

Figure 6.

Distribution of Information Technology (IT) Workers by Age: 2014 

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

Computer and information systems managers

Computer network architects

Database administrators

Computer programmers

Computer occupations, all other

Information security analysts

Network and computer systems administrators

Computer systems analysts

Computer and information research scientists

Computer support specialists

Software developers, applications and systems software

Web developers

IT workers

Total employed 

16 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 and over

0 20 0 20 40 0 20 40 0 20 40 0 20 40
U.S. Census Bureau 9

systems analysts, and computer 

programmers.

Since the Census Bureau started 

classifying computer occupations, 

the majority of workers in IT have 

been men. Over the last 4 decades, 

the percentage of women in IT has 

consistently been lower than the 

percentage of women in all occupations (Figure 7). The proportion 

of women in all occupations has 

slowly increased over time, from 

38.0 percent in 1970 to 47.0 percent in 2014. In contrast, the proportion of women in IT occupations 

has actually decreased from 31.0 

percent in 1990 to 25.0 percent 

in 2014.

Following the disparity in the 

number of women in IT since 1970 

are the historic median earnings of women in IT (Figure 8). In 

1970, among full-time, year-round, 

nonmanagerial IT workers, men’s 

median earnings were $74,180, 

compared with $57,315 for 

women.10 However, IT men and 

women both earned more than 

men and women in all occupations. 

Between 1970 and 2014, median 

earnings increased for IT workers—

for both men and women. This was 

in stark contrast to all workers, 

where the median earnings of men 

fell from $55,690 to $49,150, while 

10 The median earnings in 1970 have been 

converted to 2014 inflation-adjusted dollars. 

All occupations 

IT occupations 

Figure 7.

Percentage of Women in Information Technology (IT) 

Occupations and All Occupations: 1970 to 20141

(U.S. civilian labor force, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy

_of_Data_2014.pdf)

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014

47%

38%

25%

16%

1 The data for IT workers from 1970 to 2000 were converted to the 2010 Census 

Occupation Code List to make them comparable across time.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Equal Employment Opportunity Supplementary Reports from 

the 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 censuses and 2010 and 2014 American Community Surveys.

IT occupations2

All occupations

$74,180

$57,315

$55,690

$31,770

$80,895 Men

$70,385 Women

$49,150 Men

$39,055 Women

Figure 8.

Median Earnings for Full-Time, Year-Round 

Information Technology (IT) Workers in 2014 

Inflation-Adjusted Dollars: 1970 and 2014

(Civilian employed, full-time1, year-round, 16 years and over, with earnings. 

For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling 

error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

1 In 1970, full-time was defined as working 35 or more hours per week; in 2014, 

full-time was defined as working 34 or more hours per week. 

2 Nonmanagerial IT occupations.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970 Census of Population Subject Reports and 

2014 American Community Survey.

1970 2014
10 U.S. Census Bureau

the median earnings of women rose 

from $31,770 to $39,055.

In 2014, even when broken out 

into the detailed occupations, men 

and women employed in IT still 

had higher median earnings than 

men and women in all occupations 

(Figure 9). However, a wage gap 

existed between employed men 

and women in a majority of the 

detailed IT occupations. Among the 

highest gaps was that of database 

administrators. Interestingly, this 

occupation had among the highest percentages of women among 

the detailed IT occupations. Other 

IT occupations with large wage 

gaps included software developers, 

applications and system software, 

and information security analysts.

The highest earning IT occupations in 2014 were computer and 

information research scientists, 

software developers, applications 

and system software, computer and 

information systems managers, and 

computer network architects, each 

Figure 9.

Distribution by Sex for All Information Technology (IT) Workers and Median 

Earnings, by Sex of Full-Time, Year-Round IT Workers: 20141

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Database administrators

Computer systems analysts

Web developers

Computer and information systems managers

Computer support specialists

Computer occupations, all other

Computer programmers

Information security analysts

Software developers, applications and systems software

Network and computer systems administrators

Computer and information research scientists

Computer network architects

IT workers

Total employed

1 A shaded line signifies that the median earnings for male and female are not statistically different at the 90 percent level.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey.

10

53

75

90

82

81

80

79

78

77

73

72

65

63

62

47

25

18

19

20

21

22

23

27

28

35

37

38

Median earnings of full-time, 

year-round workers

Distribution by sex of all 

workers

Men Women $0 $60,000 $120,000
U.S. Census Bureau 11

with median earnings of $90,000 or 

more (Figure 10). Not surprisingly, 

workers in these occupations also 

had high percentages of advanced 

degrees. For instance, 52.0 percent of computer and information 

research scientists had at least a 

Master’s degree. In contrast, workers in detailed IT occupations who 

earned less were also less likely to 

have had an advanced degree. Less 

than 10 percent of computer support specialists had an advanced 

degree and they were among the 

lowest earners in IT at $52,550.

IT workers had a higher percentage of full-time, year-round workers (87.0 percent) than the total 

employed (69.0 percent) (Figure 

11). This high rate persisted 

even when looking at detailed IT 

occupations. Computer information systems managers, computer 

network architects, and information security analysts had among 

the highest rates. Web developers 

and computer support specialists had among the lowest rates of 

Figure 10.

Percentage of All Information Technology (IT) Workers With an Advanced Degree1

and Median Earnings of Full-Time, Year-Round IT Workers: 2014

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Computer support specialists

Network and computer systems administrators

Web developers

Computer occupations, all other

Computer network architects

Computer programmers

Information security analysts

Database administrators

Computer systems analysts

Computer and information systems managers

Software developers, applications and systems software

Computer and information research scientists

IT workers

Total employed

1 An advanced degree is defined as having at least a Master’s degree.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

12

22

52

33

27

25

24

21

21

18

15

14

12

8

Median earnings for all 

education levels of full-time, 

year-round workers

Percentage of all workers 

with advanced degree

$40,000 $75,000 $110,000
12 U.S. Census Bureau

full-time, year-round workers, 75.0 

and 83.0 percent, respectively.

The type of work and place of work 

were also unique for IT workers. In 

2014, they were more likely to work 

in a private company and less likely 

to work for the government or own 

their own business. IT workers were 

twice as likely to work at home.11

Web developers stood out among 

other IT workers regarding selfemployment and home-based work 

(Figure 12). Compared with 5.0 

percent of IT workers, 21.0 percent 

11 In the ACS, all workers 16 years and 

over are asked how they usually got to work 

last week. Respondents who select “worked 

at home,” presumably worked at home for 

most of the week. 

of Web developers were selfemployed, among the highest rates 

of self-employment among the 

detailed IT occupations. Computer 

systems analysts and computer 

programmers also had high rates 

of self-employment. Furthermore, 

Web developers worked at home at 

a higher rate (20.4 percent) than 

the average IT worker (9.6 percent), 

as well as other workers in detailed 

IT occupations. Research indicates 

that, in 2010, nearly half of all 

home-based workers were selfemployed (Mateyka et al., 2012). 

Not surprisingly, other detailed IT 

occupations with higher rates of 

self-employment also had high 

rates of working at home, namely 

computer systems analysts and 

computer programmers. 

Race, Hispanic Origin, and Place of 

Birth

Asian workers comprised a larger 

percentage of IT workers than all 

workers did. Compared with 6.0 

percent of all workers, 18.0 percent 

of IT workers were Asian (Figure 

Figure 11.

Percentage of Full-Time, Year-Round Information Technology (IT) Workers: 2014

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Web developers

Computer support specialists

Computer programmers

Database administrators

Computer and information research scientists

Computer occupations, all other

Computer systems analysts

Software developers, applications and systems software

Network and computer systems administrators

Information security analysts

Computer network architects

Computer and information systems managers

IT workers

Total employed

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

69

87

92

92

92

90

88

88

87

87

87

85

83

75
U.S. Census Bureau 13

13).12 IT workers were majority 

White, although the percentage of 

White IT workers (70.0 percent) 

was less than that of all workers 

(76.0 percent). In contrast to Asian 

workers, Black workers were less 

concentrated in IT occupations. 

12 Federal surveys now give respondents 

the option of reporting more than one race. 

Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race 

group are possible. A group, such as Asian, 

may be defined as those who reported Asian 

and no other race (the race-alone or singlerace concept) or as those who reported Asian 

regardless of whether they also reported 

another race (the race-alone-or-in-combination 

concept). This report shows data using the 

first approach (race-alone). Use of the singlerace population does not imply that it is the 

preferred method of presenting or analyzing 

data. The terms White, Asian, and Black refer 

to White alone, Asian alone, and Black or 

African American alone, respectively.

Figure 12.

Distribution of Information Technology (IT) Workers Across Class of Work and 

Percentage Working at Home: 2014 

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

SelfemployedGovernment 

Private workers workers

Worked 

at home

 Network and computer systems administrators 

 Computer and information research scientists 

 Computer occupations, all other 

 Computer support specialists 

 Database administrators 

 Computer and information systems managers 

 Software developers, applications & systems software 

 Information security analysts 

 Computer programmers 

 Computer network architects 

 Computer systems analysts 

 Web developers 

 IT workers 

 Total employed 

0 20 40 60 80 0 20 40 0 20 0 20

Figure 13.

Race and Ethnic Representation of Information 

Technology (IT) Workers: 2014

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on 

confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, 

see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS

_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

Total employed

76

70

11

7

6

18

8

4

16

7 Hispanic (of any race)

Some other race or

 two or more races

Asian alone

Black or

 African American alone

White alone

IT workers
14 U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 14.

Percentage of Foreign-Born Information Technology (IT) Workers: 2014

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

Percent foreign-born

Information security analysts

Computer support specialists

Web developers

Network and computer systems administrators

Computer occupations, all other

Computer and information systems managers

Database administrators

Computer systems analysts

Computer network architects

Computer programmers

Computer and information research scientists

Software developers, applications and systems software

IT workers

Total employed

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

17

24

39

28

25

22

22

21

20

19

16

13

13

11

Figure 15.

Race and Nativity of Information Technology (IT) Workers: 2014

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf)

White

alone

Asian

alone

Black or

African American

alone

Black or

African American

alone

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. 

Some other

race or two

or more races

Some other

race or two

or more races

White

alone

Asian

alone

Total employed

IT workers

Total employed

IT workers

Native

Foreign-born

25 66 5 5

47 26 9 19

81 2 12 5

85 3 8 4
U.S. Census Bureau 15

Only 7.0 percent of IT workers were 

Black compared with 11.0 percent 

of all workers. Similarly, Hispanic 

workers had low rates of employment in IT occupations.13 While 

16.0 percent of all workers were 

Hispanic, this group made up 7.0 

percent of IT workers. 

IT had a significantly higher rate of 

foreign-born workers, 24.0 percent compared with 17.0 percent of 

total employed (Figure 14). Software developers, applications and 

system software, and computer 

and information research scientists 

had some of the highest rates of 

foreign-born workers—39.0 percent and 28.0 percent, respectively. 

Six of the 12 detailed occupations 

had at least 20.0 percent foreignborn workers. Web developers, 

computer support specialists, and 

information security analysts had 

among the lowest rates of foreignborn workers. 

The breakdown of race by place 

of birth in Figure 15 shows that 

the majority of foreign-born IT 

workers were Asian. This rate 

was much higher than that of all 

foreign-born workers. One potential reason for these high rates of 

foreign born among IT occupations 

was the issuing of work-related 

(H1-B)14 visas by the U.S. government to these workers. In 1999, 

59.0 percent of H1-B visas were 

planned for IT workers. Of the visas 

13 People who identify as Hispanic may 

be any race. Data in this report for Hispanics 

overlap with data for racial groups. 14 The H-1B visa program allows employers to hire high-skilled, foreign workers for 

up to 6 years for certain specialty programs. 

The program is administered by the Department of Labor and U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services.

approved that year for IT occupations, nearly 75.0 percent went to 

Indian immigrants (GAO, 2000). 

Among native workers, Whites and 

Asians were overrepresented in IT 

occupations compared with the total 

employed. The underrepresentation of Blacks and other races was 

also evident among both native and 

foreign-born IT workers.

CONCLUSION

This report explores trends in IT 

occupations and the characteristics 

of the IT workforce. IT work has 

expanded in size and variety since 

the 1960s and 1970s when computers were first introduced in the 

home and in the workplace. The IT 

workforce grew tenfold between 

1970 and 2014. Throughout this 

period, the majority of IT workers 

have been men. The percentage of 

women working in IT occupations 

peaked in 1990 at 31.0 percent. 

Median earnings for both men and 

women working in IT increased 

between 1970 and 2014. In addition, the median earnings of these 

men and women have remained 

higher than the median earnings of 

men and women in all occupations. 

In 2014, the characteristics of IT 

workers differed from the average 

worker. They were more likely to be 

male, have higher education levels, 

higher median earnings, work at 

home, be Asian, and be foreignborn. Their distinct composition 

makes IT workers a unique subset 

of the labor force that is expected 

to expand in the future, along with 

the increased use of computers. 

REFERENCES

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Standard 

Occupational Classification Manual, 

U.S. Government Printing Office, 

Washington, DC, 2010. 

Ceruzzi, P.E., “’Ready or Not, Computers Are Coming to the People’: 

Inventing the PC,” OAH Magazine of 

History, 24(3), 25–28, 2010. 

File, T., “Computer and Internet 

Use in the United States,” Current 

Population Survey Reports, P20-568, 

U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, 

DC, 2013.

Kominski, R., “Computer Use in 

the United States: 1984,” Current 

Population Survey Reports, P23-155, 

U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, 

DC, 1988.

Landivar, L.C., “Disparities in STEM 

Employment by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin,” American Community 

Survey Reports, ACS-24, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2013.

Mateyka, P., M. Rapino, and L.C. 

Landivar, “Home-Based Workers in 

the United States: 2010,” Current 

Population Reports, 

P70-132, U.S. Census Bureau,

Washington, DC, 2012.

Reimer, J., “Total Share: 30 Years 

of Personal Computer Market Share 

Figures,” ARS Technica, December 

15, 2005, <http://arstechnica.com

/features/2005/12/totalshare/3/>, accessed on September 

11, 2014. 

Richards, E. and D. Terkanian, 

“Occupational Employment 

Projections to 2022,” Monthly 

Labor Review, December 2013, 

<www.bls.gov/opub/mlr

/2013/article/occupational

-employment-projections-to-2022

.htm>, accessed on July 2, 2014.

U.S. Census Bureau, “Detailed 

Occupation of the Experienced 

Labor Force by Sex for the United 

States and Regions: 1970 and 

1980,” Census of Population: 1980 

Supplementary Report, PC80-

S1-15, U.S. Government Printing 

Office, Washington, DC, 1984.

U.S. Census Bureau, “Detailed 

Occupation and Other Characteristics From the EEO File for the United 

States,” 1990 Census of Population 

Report, CP-S-1-1, U.S. Government 
16 U.S. Census Bureau

Printing Office, Washington, DC, 

1990. 

U.S. Census Bureau, “Occupational 

Characteristics,” Census of Population: 1970 Subject Reports Final 

Report, PC(2)-7A, U.S. Government 

Printing Office, Washington, DC, 

1973, <www.census.gov/prod

/www/decennial.html>, accessed 

on October 28, 2014. 

U.S. General Accounting Office, 

“H-1B Foreign Workers:

Better Controls Needed to

Help Employers and Protect

Workers,” Technical Report,

GAO/HEHS 00-157, U.S. General 

Accounting Office, Washington, DC, 

2000.

SOURCE OF THE ESTIMATES

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey 

designed to provide communities 

with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and 

housing data for congressional 

districts, counties, places, and 

other localities every year. It has 

an annual sample size of about 3.5 

million addresses across the United 

States and Puerto Rico and includes 

both housing units and group 

quarters (e.g., nursing homes and 

prisons). The ACS is conducted in 

every county throughout the nation, 

and every municipio in Puerto Rico, 

where it is called the Puerto Rico 

Community Survey. For information on the ACS sample design and 

other topics, visit <www.census 

.gov/acs/www>.

ACCURACY OF 

THE ESTIMATES

The data presented in this report 

are based on the ACS sample 

interviewed in January 2010 

through December 2010 and 

January 2014 through December 

2014. The estimates based on this 

sample describe the actual average value of characteristics for 

the household and group quarters populations over this period 

of collection. Sampling error is 

the difference between an estimate based on a sample and the 

corresponding value that would 

be obtained if the estimate were 

based on the entire population 

(as from a census). Measures of 

sampling error are provided in the 

form of margins of error for all 

estimates included in this report. 

All comparative statements in this 

report have undergone statistical testing, and comparisons are 

significant at the 90 percent level, 

unless otherwise noted. In addition 

to sampling error, nonsampling 

error may be introduced during any of the operations used to 

collect and process survey data, 

such as editing, reviewing, or keying data from questionnaires. For 

more information on sampling and 

estimation methods, confidentiality protection, and sampling and 

nonsampling errors, please see the 

2010 and 2014 ACS Accuracy of 

the Data document located at

<www2.census.gov

/programs-surveys/acs

/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2010.pdf> 

and 

<www2.census.gov

/programs-surveys/acs

/tech_docs/accuracy

/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2014.pdf>.

CONTACT

For questions related to the contents of this report and the accompanying tables, contact the author:

Julia Beckhusen

<julia.b.beckhusen@census.gov>

(301) 763-1094

Industry and Occupation

Statistics Branch

Social, Economic, and Housing 

Statistics Division

U.S. Census Bureau

SUGGESTED CITATION

Beckhusen, Julia, “Occupations in 

Information Technology,” American 

Community Survey Reports, 

ACS-35, U.S. Census Bureau, 

Washington, DC, 2016.