Tech Career Pay Ladder: Help Desk to Software Developer to IT Manager (2025 Wages)
Plenty of people get into tech through the help desk and then move into networking, development or management. The pay difference between those roles is large, and the latest federal data shows where the biggest jumps are. Below are the May 2025 numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User support (help desk) | 717,190 | $40,980 | $61,860 | $100,540 | Some college, no degree | -3.5% |
| Network support | 146,190 | $47,120 | $76,220 | $127,780 | Associate's degree | +1.2% |
| Web developer | 70,190 | $48,100 | $92,650 | $162,290 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% |
| Software developer | 1,687,890 | $82,460 | $135,980 | $214,670 | Bachelor's degree | +10.2% |
| IT manager | 670,570 | $107,550 | $175,140 | $297,510 | Bachelor's degree | +15.8% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Help desk to network support
Computer user support specialists earn a median of $61,860, and BLS projects employment to change by -3.5% from 2025 to 2035, so this is a starting point rather than a long-term destination. Network support specialists earn $76,220. The BLS Handbook notes that either role can be entered with relevant IT certifications, and network support typically calls for an associate’s degree.
Into development
Web developers earn a median of $92,650; software developers earn $135,980, with 1,687,890 jobs nationally and projected growth of 10.2%. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry credential for software developers, though a portfolio of shipped work is what most hiring managers look at first.
Into management
Computer and information systems managers earn a median of $175,140, and the 90th percentile tops out above $297,510. BLS says most of these jobs require several years of related IT experience. Projected growth is 15.8%.
Where software developers earn the most
State medians for software developers vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $174,410 | 284,390 |
| Washington | $166,540 | 107,030 |
| New York | $166,180 | 113,510 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | 48,190 |
| Oregon | $142,720 | 21,830 |
What this means for your next raise
- Title drift is common. If you write code but carry a support title, your pay is probably benchmarked against the wrong job. Ask HR which job code your role maps to.
- Location still matters. The state table above shows large gaps; for remote roles, ask whether pay is set by your location or the company’s.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
A related rule worth knowing: under federal overtime law, computer professionals can be exempt from overtime if they're paid at least $684 a week on a salary basis or at least $27.63 an hour, and their main duties are systems analysis, programming or similar work. Help-desk staff who mainly troubleshoot or install hardware usually don't meet the duties test. See WHD Fact Sheet #17E: Computer Employees.